graphite. is please to announce “copy that.”, new work by Federico Massa.

Federico Massa, alias Cruz, is an Italian artist born in Milan in 1981. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera, in Milan in 2006 . During his first year at the Academy, Federico helped found The Bag Art Factory collective in Milan, of which he is still an active member. This group of artists; including painters, sculptors, and set and designer, collaborates on a variety of projects and constantly organizes exhibitions of their works. Federico’s years at The Bag Art Factory were formative in his artistic growth. During this time, key elements of his vision were developed through the exchange of ideas, of discussion, and contamination with other artists of the collaborative.

Federico’s work has been presented in numerous exhibitions all over Europe, and has been published in catalogues as well as art books. In addition, he works in collaboration with well-known fashion brands. The most recent collaboration was with Marc Jacobs in September 2010, during Paris fashion week. The artist painted and personalized 60 designer bags belonging to the collection “Marc by Marc Jacobs” with specific designs and styles which referenced New York City.

In his first personal exhibition in NYC at the graphite., entitled “copy that.”, Federico presents his last series of “Homages”. The collection consists of his personal reinterpretation of posters affixed by the city of Milan to promote exhibitions of internationally acclaimed modern and classical artists at Royal Palace of Milan. Federico detached the posters from various locations throughout Milan, and completely reinterpreted the works, maintaining some fundamental details, paying homage to the masterpieces of the original artists. In his last works, produced ad hoc for the exhibition organized by graphite., Federico presents his vision of his adopted city, New York, as a place of creation and inspiration. In these pieces, the artist pays homage not only to other artists but also to the city that inspires him on various levels. www.ienacruz.com