Interview: Daniel René
Luca Curci talks with Daniel René during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2019 at Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi.

In 1985, Daniel René invented the so-called “end grain wood” technique for pictures; to date, it seems that he still is the only one in the world to implement this technique. It is not a question of painting or marquetry; it is a technique in its own right that consist in to sticking on a support, pieces of unmachined natural wood (found in forests or other places outside), of various shapes, sizes and thicknesses, sometimes immersed in polyester inclusion resin. Originally, the first two-dimensional pictures used pointillism. Since then, the artist has evolved his technique to patchwork by creating pictures in three dimensions. This technique also makes it possible to create frameless pictures without any definite limit and which are freed from the shackles of the shapes imposed in painting (rectangle, square, …). Daniel René gives a second life to old woods that otherwise would eventually rot or be burned, revealing the richness of the particular colors that age has given them. It is a difficult technique and very long to implement (except the smaller ones, each picture requires 1 to 6 months of work and weighs 18 to 100 Lbs). The particular nature of these pictures is that they are very poorly rendered by a photograph that gives only a global view and does not make the relief. You really have to see them “from sight” to get closer, “enter” the picture and discover the different worlds that it contains and that make its richness.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Daniel René – A way of expression, revealing a particular sensibility (I have a personal conception of art that can be summarized in this personal quotation: “A creation becomes an artwork when it allows two souls, that of the artist and that of the spectator, to meet and make love within the limited but exalting framework of this work”.

LC – Which subject are you working on?
DR – No particular subject except wood in itself.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
DR – Wood inspires me, then comes my imagination to reveal its beauty.

LC – What is your creative process like?
DR – Finding beautiful woods and sort them in order to bild a beautiful image.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
DR – My style changed: I began with 2 dimensional pictures and now I make 3 dimensional ones, using also other materials than wood.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? In which way did it inspire you?
DR – Showing artworks in such a magnificent decor as Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi is really a good idea.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the festival’s theme?
DR – If I remember, there was no precise theme in this exhibition (except it was contemporary art).

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
DR – Yes.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event?
DR – Professional!!!

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
DR – I think it is a good oportunity for artists.