Made in Italy

Massimo Cruciani is a poet, a painter and a photographer. Each of his passions feeds the other, and his
intent in all three is to reveal the element of magic in life so often missed, but so clearly there.

Born in Rome, Cruciani's mother hoped he would choose the quiet life of an engineer or banker, but after
studying physics in college, he turned to photography, which exposed him to a life of adventure. In 1969,
he spent six months traveling throughout Asia, driving 10,000 miles through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan,
Pakistan and India on a journalistic assignment. Accustomed to the sweet life of a fairly well-to-do
fellow, this trip revealed another world and introduced him to the reality of staggering poverty and
the effect it has on the lives of individuals. In 2002, he published "The Long Road East", a book of his
poems and photographs from the trip.

As a photojournalist, Cruciani has traveled extensively and attempts to tell universal stories mostly
using photographs of the very young and the very old. The young faces express dreams and fantasies, and
are free of the expectations and restrictions of adulthood while the elderly faces reflect the past and
tell their own tales. These are the faces of real people, each one unique and significant.

Cruciani's photographic career came to an abrupt halt when all of his camera equipment was stolen.
Coincidentally, that was the very day Cruciani was contacted by the painter Adami, whom had seen his
photographs and was interested in working with him. They worked together for a full year from 8 a.m.
until midnight nearly every day. Adami was a very strict teacher and taught Cruciani design as well as
techniques for painting in oils and acrylics. He also learned that an artist is recognized by his life,
not just his work.

Early stained glass windows were made of painted glass, and even today, intricate details on faces, hands,
etc., are often painted on glass and then cut to fit into the glass window. Cruciani learned his technique 
by chance when he met an artist who was attempting to make lamps out of painted glass. As clumsy as the
product was, Cruciani could see its beauty. He combined this simple technique with what he was learning
from Adami about classical painting. Initially, Adami was dismissive, but once he saw the quality
Cruciani was producing in his work, he also began painting on glass.

The eye that made Cruciani a good photographer also directs the composition of his paintings. He prepares
all his own materials. First, he mixes a thick gray paste to outline the image directly on the glass,
which requires one full day to dry giving him time to study it and make changes. Once the outline is
dry, he begins to apply 'real colors', which he mixes fresh daily. They are very liquid so he can mix
them together or let them bleed into each other. Also, they dry quickly allowing him to paint layers.
He also must remember to paint backwards so the image will be correct when the glass is turned around.
The pieces are backed with specially chosen fabric over wood. For the best effect, a spotlight should
be directed toward the picture.

These stunning paintings on glass aren't meant to carry any deep messages - they simply reveal the spirit
of the Umbrian hills in Italy. The simple houses and trees, painted in warm, soft colors, are just a
little bit illusive in their transparency. Cruciani blends dreams with reality. allowing the mystery
and magic that already exists in nature to materialize on the glass.

Cruciani lives the aesthetic life of an artist in Assisi with his wife and daughter. His attention is
focused on the beauty that surrounds him. He says, "It is a seven minute walk to my studio and it provides
a fantastic exercise for the eyes and for the head". Nothing stands straight in Assisi, and as a visual,
urban experience, we could be living in the Middle Ages. I never get tired of looking at it. The houses
are made of stones and each one is different. It is incredible. Sometimes I'll spend an hour just 
watching a wall. That same wall in Milan or New York would be made of 10,000 bricks, all exactly the
same, and all perfectly aligned. Assisi has curves, alcoves, shadows, rough and smooth edges, the 
windows are not in line with each other, one is small, one is round, one is gothic, etc., and so are
the streets, alleys, arches and steps. After 20 years, I still enjoy the sensation of discovering
something I hadn't noticed before. Contrary to all of this, the landscape around us is very soft and
regular - the perfect contrast.

Looking into the future, Cruciani is planning to publish more of his poetry along with images of his
paintings and photographs. He'd like to publish a traveler’s guide to Umbria using just his photographs
and poems. With no descriptions or explanations, visitors would be allowed to have their own experience.
The magic dies in travel when we already know everything about a place and are weighted down with
information about where to go and what to eat.

Cruciani would also like to publish another book about St. Francis of Assisi. In 1995, he published a
book of 34 glass paintings that depicted the life of St. Francis following the traditional format
established by Giotto. These new paintings, instead of depicting St. Francis, concentrate on his teachings
using symbolic images. Again, the concept is to allow the readers to think for themselves.

Currently, Cruciani is painting a series of California scenes to be shown at the Artisan Design Group
from May 1 thru May 22. The public is invited to an artist's reception from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., April 30.
A broad variety of his works is on view there from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
Saturdays. The showroom is located downtown at 332 J St. Phone (619) 269-1211 for further information.