Andrea Cagnetti, also known as Akelo, (born 16 March 1967 in Corchiano, Viterbo) is an Italian artist. Goldsmith, designer, and sculptor.[1] he is known for his use of ancient techniques used in metalworking.
Biography
Akelo obtained a diploma at the Ronciglione state secondary school with a concentration in scientific studies[citation needed]. He then transferred to Rome, where he worked as a graphic artist for several years. At the same time, he studied about ancient goldsmithing, metallurgy, and alchemy.[2] Akelo combined this theoretical understanding with his experimentation on materials and techniques, in order to create gold objects and other sculptural objects made from bronze, and iron. He uses the artistic name of Akelo (from Achelous, Greek god of the waters).[2]
In 2010, Akelo created the bronze sculpture "Hope" for the Robert Bresson Prize, which is given every year at the Venice Film Festival.[2] He currently lives in Corchiano, where he also writes scientific articles on the techniques used in goldsmithing.[2]
Works in public collections
HOEDUS II (1996) Pendant – Newark Museum
YILDUN (2001) Pendant – Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri
CHORT (2002) Pendant – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston [1]
DENHEB (2004) Necklace – Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri
SEGIN (2009) Pyx – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston [2]
STRANGE MECHANISM No. 3 (2010) Sculpture – Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri
Bibliography
"Akelo: Golden Works 1994–2000" – G. Spinola/P. d’Ambrosio – Saatchi & Saatchi/Lupetti Editore (2004) ISBN978-88-8391-107-1
"Etruschi, scoperto il segreto dei loro gioielli" – Corriere della sera (2000) – [3]
"Experimental survey on fluid brazing in ancient goldsmith's art" – International Journal of Material Research (2009) doi:10.3139/146.101783[4]
"The Voyage of a Contemporary Italian Goldsmith in the Classical World: Golden Treasures of Akelo” – Mary Pixley – Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri (2010) ISBN978-0-910501-40-8[5]
"Gioiello Italiano Contemporaneo" – Skyra – Rizzoli International (2007)
"Akelo's Treasures – An Exhibition Celebrating 25 Years of a Roman Master Goldsmith" – Bentley & Skinner, London (2011)
"Materia Nova" – Galerie Ludwig Trossaert, Contemporary art (2012) ISBN978-94-91314-12-4 – D/2012/12.184/07 [6]
"Metodo sperimentale per la realizzazione di un paio di orecchini finemente decorati con granulazione al pulviscolo e filigrana" – Il Covile (Italy, 2013) [7]
Main exhibitions
"Materia Nova" – Galerie Ludwig Trossaert, Contemporary art – Antwerp, Belgium (18 May – 6 June 2012)
"Collecting for a New Century: Recent Acquisition" – Museum of Art And Archaeology, University of Missouri – Columbia, MO – U.S.A (28 January – 13 May 2012)
"Akelo's Treasures. An Exhibition Celebrating Twenty-Five Years of a Roman Master Goldsmith" – Bentley & Skinner (Bond Street Jewellers) Ltd – London – U.K. (November 2011)
”Golden Treasures by Akelo” – Museum of the Gemological Institute of America – Carlsbad, California, U.S.A. (October 2010 – March 2011)
"The Voyage of a Contemporary Italian Goldsmith in the Classical World: Golden Treasures by Akelo" – Museum of Art And Archaeology, University of Missouri – Columbia, MO – U.S.A (5 June – 26 September 2010)
"Gioiello Italiano Contemporaneo" – Castello Sforzesco, Milano / Palazzo Valmarana Braga, Vicenza / Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin / Museo di arti decorative Pietro Accorsi, Torino (January 2008 – January 2009)
"In Its Time: Materials and Techniques Throughout Jewelry History" – Aaron Faber Gallery – New York CityA. (2009)
"Akelo: risplende l'oro degli Etruschi" – Vicenzaoro2, Fiera di Vicenza – Vicenza, Italy (June 2005)
"The Hanover World Exposition 2000" – Italian Pavillon – Hanover, Germany (June – October 2000)
"Una scultura di Akelo nel museo dell'Università del Missouri" ADNKronos (Italy) – April 2012
"A Sculpture by the Italian Artist Akelo in the Permanent Collection of the Museum of Art and Archaeology of the University of Missouri" Artwallzine – (U.K.) April 2012
"Museum exhibit highlights the splendor of collecting" – The Columbia Daily Tribune (U.S.A) – March 2012
"Timeless Gold" – Vogue (Italy) – October 2011
"Great Designers" – World Gold Council – 2011
"The Midas Touch" – The Mayfair Magazine (U.K.) – November 2011
"Granulation Rediscovered" – Antiques Trade Gazette (U.K.) – November 2011
"Una Mostra per i 25 anni di Akelo" – 18 Karati (Italy) – November 2011
"Bentley and Skinner hosts Akelo show" – The Jeweller Magazine (U.K.) – October 2011
"Bentley & Skinner to host Akelo retrospective" – Professional Jeweller (U.K.) – October 2011
"Akelo festeggia i 25 anni di attività da Bentley & Skinner" – Preziosa Magazine (Italy) – October 2011 [8]
"Un etrusco a London" – Vioromagazine (Italy) – October 2011 [9]
"Bentley & Skinner to host celebration of Akelo's 25 years" – Jewellery World Review (Thailand) – September 2011
"Творческий юбилей Akelo – в Лондоне" – Jewellernet (Russia) – September 2011 [10]
"Bentley & Skinner to exhibit works of Andrea Cagnetti" – Diamond World (China) – September 2011 [11]
"Breathing new life into an age old technique" – The Malta Independent (Malta) – September 2011
"A Pendant by the Italian Artist Akelo in the Permanent Collection of the Newark Museum" – The Benchpeg (U.K.) – April 2011