Since its opening, Galleria Michela Cattai has focused on the study, research and selection of works of Modern and Contemporary Art and Design by some of the most important artists and designers of the twentieth century and brought them together under one roof.

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© 2016 Galleria Michela Cattai

paolo-cotani

Paolo Cotani

Designer

Paolo Cotani was born in Rome in 1940. In 1964 Paolo Cotani lived for four years in London, where he taught courses about ‘Tecniques and materials used in historical vanguards’ at Chelsea College of Arts. He worked in theatrical set-ups,having achieved experiences regarding english cultural influence. In 1968, the artist presented his first solo exhibition at Galleria Ferro di Cavallo in Rome and in 1970 he has been presented at CAAC Gallery of Oakland, California. At the beginning of 70s, Paolo Cotani adhered to artistic movement called Grade Zero of Painting, artistic research that was focused on pictorial language refoundation. In his act of painting, a strong reflexivity is pivotal. From 1971, Paolo Cotani stated to participate to several collectives set up at Galleria Editalia in Rome, in 1972 he took part to an exhibition about Italian Painters held at Sodertalje Museum in Stockholm; in 1973 he exhibited at Galleria Morone in Milan. Paolo Cotani fulfilled exhibitions in Italy and abroad. In 1975 the artist was present at the Biennial of Paris, where he exhibited his first Bende Elastiche and also at Documenta, in 1977. to be mentioned, is Paolo Cotani’s work from 1976 to 1988 at Mara Coccia’s Gallery. In 1979, he presented a huge and important solo exhibition in Ferrara, at Palazzo dei Diamanti. In 1981, Paolo Cotani presented with the photographer Ralph Gibson,Metafora, at Cantieri Navali della Giudecca, in Venice and at the Castelli Graphics in New York. In 1986, the artist was present at the XI Quadriennial in Rome, held at Congress Palace-Eur. Paolo Cotani participated to several other exhibitions, such as at Galleria Martano in Turin. In 1988 the artis was at Esposizione Nazionale d’Arte Contemporanea in Palermo. In 1989, Paolo Cotani exhibited at Galleria Spazia in Bologna, at Galleria Plurima in Udine, at Centro Culturale Bellora in Milan. In 1990 Paolo Cotani presented an important exhibition at Palazzo Forti in Verona. In 1991, the artist attended, together with Enrico Castellani and Salvatore Scarpitta, the exhibition ‘Tensioni di superficie’ at Galleria Niccoli in Parma. In 1994, he hosted a solo exhibition at Framart Studio, in Naples; during the same year, he presented two huge retrospectives in Spoleto end Valencia. In 1995, Paolo Cotani was presented at Galleria Masnata, in Genua and in 1997 at DuMont Kunsthalle in Koeln with ‘Die Andere Richtung der Kunst. Abstrakte Kunst Italiens ’60-’90’. The artist participated to several solos and collectives exhibitions at the end of 90s in Italy and abroad: few are important to be mentioned, such as the one in 1999 ‘Le soglie della Pittura. Francia.Italia 1968-1998’ curated by Sauzeau, Francesco Bonami and Bruno Corà, held at Centro Espositivo della Rocca Paolina in Perugia. In 2004, Paolo Cotani was presented at Universidad Castilla de la Mancha in Cuenca with the exhibition ‘L’immagine negata’. In 2006, he exhibited at Istituto Italiano di Cultura in London with ‘Pittura 70- then and now’, in 2007 at Museo della permanente in Milan among Pittura Analitica section and in 2008 at Galleria Il Ponte in Florence. Paolo Cotani died in Rome in 2011.