Bio
Born in Treviso, Italy, Davide was introduced to the art of metalsmithing by his father Alessandro, and by the sculptor Toni Benetton. He studied jewelry and metalsmithing at the Institute of Art in Venice and in 2003, he obtained his degree in architecture at IUAV, Venice, Italy.
After working as a licensed architect in Italy for several architectural firms, especially with Toni Follina, he met his wife in Zimbabwe (during a whitewater kayak trip) and moved to the USA in 2007. In 2010 he earned his Master of Arts in Art and in 2011 his Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Fontbonne University, Saint Louis, where he studied under the guidance of Hank Knickmeyer and developed a personal sculptural process, mixing traditional metal casting and new technologies such as 3D printing and laser scanning.
In 2011, Davide moved to Washington, DC, and started working as a professor of Fine Art at the GWU Corcoran School of Art + Design as a professor of "Metalsmithing," and “Sculpture and New Technologies”, at Catholic University as Director of the Fab Lab and lecturer in digital fabrication. He started working for the University of the District of Columbia in 2018 where he is now Associate Professor of Fine Arts teaching Introduction and Advanced Sculpture, Introduction and Advanced Ceramics, Art and New Technologies, Digital Imaging, Interdisciplinary Art, etc..
In 2014, Davide received his diploma from Fab Academy, an outreach project from MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, where he studied digital fabrication with Neil Gershenfeld, and in 2020 his certificate in Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production from MIT.
His work has been shown at national and international venues (Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, England, France, Finland, and the USA), and his urban scale sculptures are installed in Italy and the USA. Recently, his work has focused on new technologies such as 3D printing and laser scanning combined with traditional metalsmithing techniques. On his last projects, mathematical equations provided him with a pretext to connect figurative images with a new language, to discover what he called "A new form of shamanism".
Curriculum Vitae
EXHIBITIONS, GROUP SHOWS, JURIED ART EXHIBITIONS:
2023
DC Art 2023, Washington, DC
Our Creative Community exhibition at Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring, MD
Construct 3D, New York , NY
Bridges Halifax 2023 Art Exhibition, Halifax, Canada
ScentS Of It All, Bethesda MD
2022
Generative Art International Exhibition, Rome, Italy
DC Unsettled, Studio 1469 Washington DC
Artists Gallery 2022 Juried Show Ellicott City
Generative Art International Exhibition, Sardinia, Italy
Organic Geometry: A Nancy Frankel Tribute at Studio Gallery In Dc
Sculpture - Traveling The World - Juror Patrick Dougherty
Digital Art, Assemblage Or Collage, 2021
2021
Generative Art International Exhibition, Cagliari, Italy 2021 Capitol Hill Maker Faire
Organic Geometry: A Nancy Frankel Tribute At Studio Gallery In Dc Washington DC Sculpture, The InArt Gallery (Onorable Mention)
Digital Art, Assemblage Or Collage, 2021 Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA 2021 Ieee Honet International Conference, Karachi, Pakistan (Hybrid)
Minimal Surfaces Solo Show, Studio Gallery, Washington DC Grayscale Wonderland 2, Santa Monica, CA
Joint Mathematics Meetings 2021 (Online)
2020
Bridges Mathematical Art Show, Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland (online for COVID-19) Joint Mathematics Meetings 2020 Art Show, Denver, CO
Art & Soul: Annual Fundraiser for Studio Gallery, Studio Gallery, Washington DC New Members Exhibition, Studio Gallery, Washington DC
2019
“Mixture” at Touchstone Gallery, Washington DC Solo Show at Touchstone Gallery, Washington DC Emerging Tech for Social Change, Washington DC Showcase at Google Dc, Washington DC Mathematical Beauty, Washington DC
Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore, MD
2018
Ethics and Fashion In Politics Empowered By Ur Citizen, Washington DC The George Washington University Faculty Show, Washington DC 6x6 Be There, Be Square, Los Angeles, CA Bella Italia Market, Washington DC
Wills Creek National Juried Exhibition, Cumberland, MD Capitol Hill Maker Faire, Washington, DC Joint Mathematics Meetings Art Exhibition, San Diego, CA
2017
CUA Faculty Show, Washington DC
TEDxFoggyBottom, George Washington University, Washington DC Capitol Hill Arts Workshop Exhibition, Washington DC
2016
Corcoran Legacy, Alexandria MD Barnes and Noble Mini Maker faire, NY New York Maker Faire, NY
Third Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Art Exhibition – UMUC, Adelphi, MD. Capitol Hill Maker Faire, Washington DC National Maker Faire, Washington DC Making in the Arts, Washington DC
Bridges 2016 - University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
The Chautauqua National Exhibition: What if? Richmond,KY
2015
WPA Pop Up at The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, DC Artomatic, Hyattsville, MD Corcoran School of Art Faculty Show 2014, Washington, DC
Art and New Media at Chestertown River Arts, Chestertown, MD 3DX Cheaspeake Arts Center, Linthium Heights, MD 3D Print Show, New York
DownEast Sculpture Outdoor Competition, Greenville, NC (Best in the Show) DownEast Sculpture Indoor Competition, Greenville, NC 3D/DCIII
2014
Freehand, Los Angeles, CA Arts, Takoma, MD
Gallery 788, Baltimore, MD 3D/DC II, Washington, DC
GWU – Global Issues and 3D Printing, Washington, DC. Fabricated, Largo, MD
The Capitol Hill Alphabet Animal Art Project, CHAAAP, Washington, DC 3D Print Show, New York, NY
Arte, Milano, Italy
2013
Panel Discussion at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Art Exhibit, Adelphi, MD. 3D Print Art Show, London, Paris, New York.
Academy of Brera, "Are we what we eat? Sustenance and art ", Milan, Italy Sculpture Tour Salina, Salina KS
Math Art show, Takoma Park Community Center, MD Art Show UST, Washington, DC
2012
Group Show, Corcoran College of Art + Design, Washington DC Group Show, Marlboro Gallery, Largo, MD
Corcoran College of Art + Design, Talk: "Toni Benetton" Artomatic, Crystal City, MD
The Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, Italian Art Show, Washington DC Conference at Friendship Heights Village Center, Chevy Chase MD
2011
Regional Arts Commission: Group Show St. Louis MO Fontbonne University Gallery: Group Show St. Louis MO
Large-Scale Sculpture in Miniature, Tarble Arts Center, Charleston IL Art St. Louis XXVII, The Exhibition, Saint Louis MO
Numbers, Germantown MD
FORM Contemporary Design Show, Saint Louis MO
The Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, Italian Art Show, Washington DC Washington University in Saint Louis: Group Show, Saint Louis MO
2010
Art Dimension Gallery & Studios: Group Show, St. Louis MO
Art Dimension Gallery & Studios : Creating is..Group Show St. Louis MO. Fontbonne University Gallery: Group Show St. Louis MO.
2003
Object or element for home decoration show, Padua, Italy.
2002
Object or element for home decoration show, Padua, Italy.
2001
The European Biennial of the Art of the Blacksmith, show and workshop, Stia, Italy.
1998
Biennial of the Art of the Blacksmith at Vittorio Veneto, Italy. 1996
Biennial of the Art of the Blacksmith, show and workshop, Veroli, Italy.
1995
Art Group Show La Roggia, Treviso, Italy Art of the Blacksmith, Gotha, Germany.
1994
Ironbridge Open Air Museum of Steel, show and workshop, Ironbridge, UK Biennial of the Art of the Blacksmith, show and workshop, Veroli, Italy Hefaiston Blacksmith Art Show & meetings, Castle Helfstyn, Czech Republic.
1992
Hefaiston Blacksmith Art Show & meetings, Castle Helfstyn, Czech Republic.1
ARTIST’S WORKS INCLUDED IN PRIVATE, PUBLIC, CORPORATE OR MUSEUM, COLLECTIONS.
“Icarus”, Facchina Italian American Museum of Washington DC (IAMDC), 595 3rd St NW, Washington, DC
“Sound Wave Art Park”, Public Art Collection, Fort Dupont Park, Washington DC
“Freedom to Read”, Public Art Collection, Capitol View Library (5001 Central Ave SE) Washington DC
“Koala”, Public Art Collection, K and 4th Streets SE Washington DC
“Sneaky Cat”, Public Art Collection, Ninth and C Streets SE Washington DC
“Light and Shadow”, Public Art Collection, Parco delle Piscine, Str. Terraglio, 31022 Preganziol TV, Italy
“Icarus 2” Private collection Washington, DC
“Toroidal Warp” Private Collection, Washington, DC
“Blooming Life” Private Collection, Frederick, MD
“The Egg”, Private Collection, Saint Louis, MO
“Fontana” Private Collection, Treviso, Italy
“Adam and Eve” Private Collection, Gotha, Germany
“The Wrestlers” Private Collection, Washington DC
“Kuros” Private Collection, Treviso, Italy
“Boldrin’s Portrait” Private Collection, Saint Louis, MO
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS / COMMISSIONS / GRANTS:
2023: Adams Morgan Christmas Lights, Washington DC ($45,000)
2023: Covid Memorial Fairfax, Fairfax VA (Finalist)
2023: Public Art Competition Brownsville Project Frostburg, MD (finalist),
2023: Blooming Life kinetic sculpture for Carroll Creek Art Promenade. Frederick, MD. ($15,000)
2022: Adams Morgan Kiosk for Adams Morgan BID, Washington DC ($55,000).
2022: Riverdale Public Art (Installation of sculpture “Beginning and End of a Rainbow”, Hyattsville, MD ($2,000.00 per year)
2022: Adams Morgan BID: Renovation of historical kiosk and sculptural sign, Washington, DC ($55,000)
2021: Sculpture Icarus and the reinterpretation of the Capitol’s Capital at the Italian American Museum, Washington DC
2021: Riverdale Public Art (Installation of sculpture “Solar Flare”, Hyattsville, MD ($2,000.00)
2021: Celebrate the Creative Spark. Grant with DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Washington DC ($2,000.00 per year)
2021: FY 2021 DC Arts And Humanities Fellowship Project ($7,500.00)
2020: Promote The Vote, Silver Spring/ Rockville MD ($2,000)
2020: “Sound Wave Art Park” Playable Art DC, Greenway / Fort Dupont Project, Washington DC. ($95,000.00)
2020: “Cat” for Alphabet Animal Sculpture Project , Washington, DC. ($2,500.00)
2019: “Freedom to Read” for DC CAH, DCPL / CAH Washington, DC. ($30,000.00)
2015: “The tree” for Wesley Seminary, Washington, DC. ($5,000.00)
2014: Public Sculpture Competition, (finalist) Greenville, DE.
2014: “Koala” for Alphabet Animal Sculpture Project , Washington, DC. ($2,000.00)
2013: “Icarus”, Salina, KS. ($5,000.00)
2013: Airport Sculpture Competition (Finalist), Treviso, Italy.
2012: IPAR Sculpture Competition, (Finalist) Reston, VA.
2011: Icarus, Charleston, IL. ($5000 for 2 years)
2010: “Evansville Indiana Art Project” (Finalist) , Evansville, IN.
2006: Light and Shadow, Treviso, Italy. ($15,000)
AWARDS, GRANTS, & FELLOWSHIPS
2023
MFA Winter Member Show, won Conley Award
MFA Winter Member Show won Honorable Mentions
2020
DC Commission of Arts & Humanities Grant Number: CCP-07006 2019
DC Commission of Arts & Humanities Grant Number: CCP-0120-2019 2013
Finalist at Airport Sculpture Competition, Treviso, Italy.
2012
Finalist at IPAR Sculpture Competition, Reston, VA.
2011
Selected for Cartazini Award, Paris, France
2010
Finalist at “Evansville Indiana Art Project”, Evansville, IN.
2010
Semi-finalist in 2010 at “One Good Chair Competition”, Las Vegas.
2003
Winner, Award for best design object or element for home decoration in Padua
2002
Winner, Award for best design object or element for home decoration in Padua.
2001
Winner first prize at International Exposition of Stia.
1995
Winner first prize at Art Group Show La Roggia, Treviso, Italy
1994
Winner first prize at Biennial of the Art of the Blacksmith at Veroli, Italy
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Created https://beckandstone.com/created/ancient-patterns-modern-art
• PBS Craft in America episode “Forge”
• Italian newspapers “La Tribuna di Treviso”, " La Nuova di Venezia”, “Il Mattino di Padova”, “Il Mattino delle Alpi” with same article “Si scopre artista inseguendo la green card, Un figlio d'arte da generazioni di fabbri" (Working as an artist and chasing the green card, a son of generations of artist blacksmiths), 18 Dicembre 2013
• Salina Journal, Vol. 143, No. 129 (Sculptor Prete embraces traditional metalsmithing) Sculpture, September 201, Vol. 30 No. 7
• DENNEWS, June 21 2011, (about sculpture Icarus)
• Times-Courier, 167th Year, no 277, (about sculpture Icarus) Courierrpress, 2011 (about Evansville Arena Art Competition)
• Art works published in “The Italian master of Wrought Iron 2”, Ciscato Giuseppe, Alinea Editrice, Florence, Italy, 2008
• Project published in “The Game & Park Industries”, 2008
• La Tribuna di Treviso Oct. 31, 2006 (about the urban sculpture “Luce e Ombra”) La Tribuna di Treviso Oct. 24, 2006 (about the urban sculpture “Luce e Ombra”) University Project published in the book:
• “Il ferro Battuto” Art Works published in the magazine “Ephaistos” 2002
• University Project “La biblioteca di Babele” published in: “Primi esercizi di composizione, L’architettura degli elementi” F. Franco, Ed. Cartotecnica Veneziana, Venezia, 1996
PANELS/CONFERENCES
2023
CUA Physics presented “Lattice Structures in Design and art Fabrication”
Generative Art International Conference, Rome Italy
Panelist for the Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) to evaluate the Commemorative Works Technical Assistance Program (TAP) Conference “The Business of the Arts: How to Develop Your Next Public Art Project”
Committee member for the Sculpt (Shape Creation Using Layouts, Programs & Technology) conference
2022
Generative Art International Conference, Sardinia Italy
2021
2021 IEEE Honet International Conference
2020
Construct3d an academic 3d printing and digital fabrication conference for k12, higher ed, and informal ed. + art show. Presentation “large format 3d printed silica sand for sculptural / architectural applications.” Houston, TX
2019
Emerging tech for social change, Washington DC 2018
Emerging Technologies and Art Panel Discussion at the Capitol (panelist) , Washington DC 2017
Panelist at KIDFest MakerFaire, Washington DC
Panelist at GWU – Global Issues and 3D Printing, Washington, DC. 2016
Guest speaker and performer at Anne Arundel Community College, Metalsmithing, Arnold MD Panelist at “Innovation and Art in Making”, Washington DC
2014
Collaboration with PBS Craft in America series for the preparation of: FORGE episode: Exceptional artists forging metal, magically transforming it by fire (Fall 2013)
Organization of Corcoran Students exhibition in “Star Wigs and Dress and Dream” exhibition at the Italian Embassy, Washington DC. 2013 Chair Session at 2014 Mid-America College Art Association Conference, "Mash-Up: Navigating Art and Academia in this Millennium", San Antonio, TX
Collaboration with Corcoran students from “Sculpture and New Technologies” and “Design Lab” making the Sculpture “NEXT” for NEXT Exhibition at Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Speaker at ConFABulation, a one-day symposium focused on incorporating 3D scanning, modeling, animation, digital fabrication, and 3D printing into the classroom.
2012
Organizer and Juror, The Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, Italian Art Show, Washington DC
EDUCATION:
MIT xPRO Certificate on Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production 2020, Boston, MA
Diploma Fab Academy, 2014, from MIT's CBA, Principles, applications and implications of digital fabrication, Boston, MA / Baltimore, MD. Studied with Neil Gershenfeld.
Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture, 2011, Fontbonne University, Saint Louis MO
Studied with: Tim Liddy, Hank Knickmeyer, Mark Douglas, and Catherine Connor-Talasek with a final thesis on Sculpture in Metals and New Technologies.
Master of Art in Art, 2010, Fontbonne University, Saint Louis MO
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, 2004, Universita Iuav Di Venezia, Venice (Italy) Studied with Antonio Foscari, Giorgio Gianighian, Schofield Vaughan Richard, Bertan Fiorenzo, Dal Co Francesco with final thesis: “Restoration and Rescue of Nineteenth Century Neo-Gothic Greenhouse at Villa Albrizzi Franchetti in Treviso” (Relator Prof. Arch. Giorgio Gianighian, collaboration with Renzo Piano Building Workshop).
Diploma in Applied Arts Metalsmithing and Jewelry, 1994, Institute of Art of Venice, Venice (Italy) Studied with Dino Marangon, Elio Martella
LANGUAGES
English, Italian
ASSOCIATIONS
Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society. Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Designers and Curators of Treviso
Art Saint Louis, Art Dimension, Washington Sculpture Group, Washington Project for the Arts, Studio Gallery