In recent years, I like to carry a small camera with me whenever I travel or visit a gallery. This is so that I can capture the moment when I first encounter the work of an artist whom I subsequently follow or collect. 

In an earlier post (‘Alien Come Home’), I wrote about getting my first Massimo Lunardon alien. Looking back, it was actually this white hanging alien that first attracted D’s attention, that led us into the gallery at Calle Nuova Sant’Agnese. 

Step 1: Cut open the box flaps.

Step 2: Remove the compression moulded foam padding.

Step 3: Pick up the poor chap!

Last November, D and I commissioned an art piece based on a photo of Massimo Lunardon’s sitting alien as shown in Glasstress 2011. It was an anxious wait and I must say the final outcome was most unexpected.

See if you could spot the difference.

Alien 1: What was promised (photo from Berengo Studio)

Alien 2: What was made and accepted (photo from Berengo Studio) 

Alien 3: What was delivered

Information on this piece.

Artist: Massimo Lunardon

Series: Esseri / Alien

Edition: 1/1

Year: 2011

Dimension: 79 x 52 x 23 (cm)

Signed ‘Massimo Lunardon  2011’ (right bum)

Photo-certificate of authenticity from Berengo Studio

Step 1: Get ready your tools.

Step 2: Unscrew front panel of wooden crate.

Step 3: Cut along the lines to open box.

Step 4: Remove foam packaging.

I met my first alien back in September 2010.

D and I were on our way to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and we kind of stumbled into a Berengo Studio Gallery at Calle Nuova Sant’Agnese. The tiny gallery was manned by a friendly and knowledgeable Stefano Gritti and we made polite conversation about the few large alien sculptures on display. At that time, I had never heard of Massimo Lunardon but his creations had (and still have) this wonderful sense of childlike naivetivity that immediately captured our imagination.

Anyway, as we were about to step out of the gallery, Stefano asked if we had time to see one more. And he brought out this baby.

We were immediately charmed. So for all the joy this creature brings us, I am thankful to Stefano. 

PS/ D and I went to look for Stefano when we visited Venice the following year but were unfortunately told that he no longer worked for Berengo Studio. Hopefully our path will cross once more in future…

Information on this piece.

Artist: Massimo Lunardon

Series: Esseri / Alien

Edition: 1/1

Year: 2010

Dimension: 31.8 x 14.4 x 7.6 (cm)

Signed ‘Massimo Lunardon 2010’ (right foot) and ‘P.50’ (left foot)

Photo-certificate of authenticity from Berengo Studio