Akelo

Andrea Cagnetti (born 16 March 1967 in Corchiano, Viterbo), known in the artistic world as Akelo, is an Italian goldsmith, designer, and sculptor. He is known for dedicating himself to the research of the ancient techniques used in metalworking.

Biography

After having obtained a diploma at the Ronciglione state secondary school, with a concentration in scientific studies, Akelo transferred to Rome, where for several years he worked as a graphic artist while continuing to pursue his in-depth studies of texts and documents relating to ancient goldsmithing, metallurgy, and alchemy.

Combining this theoretical understanding with extensive experimentation on materials and techniques, he creates gold objects and makes sculptural objects out of gold, bronze, and iron, using the artistic name of Akelo (from Achelous, Greek god of the waters).

In 2010 the artist created the bronze sculpture "Hope" for the Robert Bresson Prize, given every year at the Venice Film Festival.

Andrea Cagnetti lives in Corchiano, where he also writes scientific articles on the techniques used in goldsmithing.

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 #3 (2010) Sculpture - Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri

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, U.S.A. (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)

Television appearances

• "Sulle tracce degli Etruschi" - Ulisse, il piacere della scoperta - RAI 3 (Italy)
• "I tesori del Vaticano" - Ulisse, il piacere della scoperta - RAI 3 (Italy)
• "Le meraviglie del British Museum" - Ulisse, il piacere della scoperta - RAI 3 (Italy)
• "Der Schmuck der Etrusker" - Abenteuer Erde - HR Hessischer Rundfunk (Germany)
• "Unomattina" - RAI 1 (Italy)
• "Taccuino Italiano" - RAI International (Italy)
• "Destinos” - CNN en espanol
• "Mediterraneo" - RAI 2 (Italy) - FRANCE 3 (France) - CANAL ALGERIE (Algeria) - ERT/ET 1 (Greece)
• "Style" - MBC (Middle East)