PASQUALE LECCESE

 


PASQUALE LECCESE is wearing the Gio gilet no.001. He is an art dealer living in Milan, Italy.

What do you collect?
This question makes me nervous because of the word collect! To collect is an art. I am a compulsive accumulator!! I collect everything ! From ties to tram tickets, art, furniture, and rare books. One of my favorite writers Bruce Chatwin, his book Anatomy of Restlessness is a sort of bible for me.

Where do you imagine you would find your doppelgänger?
A gypsy camp or in a movie by Emir Kusturica.

What is your perfect meal?
I enjoy cooking simple recipes from my hometown. It is a form of relaxation for me. I will usually mix spices from different countries like turmeric (curcuma) and cumin. Risotto milanese con curcuma, it’s yellow too !

Who are your ideal guests?
My house is always open for friends to cook and eat. It's the best way to share stories and emotions. I like when they say yes and after they ask me shall I bring something?! I never answer! I like the surprise! Once we were 10 people and 8 cakes! And no wine!! Ahhh

What is dear to your heart?
My land in Puglia where I meet my family and friends. The smell of basil and rosmarino.

What do you treasure most in your neighborhood or city?
I live in Milano, not an easy town, with no big piazzas like Torino or Roma. Milano is full of secret corners...One is Orti di Leonardo, a magical place close to Santa Maria delle Grazie where Leonardo made the last supper.

What does your house smell like?
I like to burn a small piece of palo santo in the morning. It gives you a positive vibe !!

What does your house sound like?
In the morning, a minuetto of J.S. Bach and in the evening Caruso or Callas on the terrace. After dinner James Brown ! Now I’m listening to Meredith Monk.

Who do you find an iconic person?
We discover icons too late because when they are alive and close to you they are too clever and hide their aura ! Among some are Alighiero Boetti and J.M. Basquiat. I was lucky to share with them some moments of my life! I still have a drawing collage that was a gift from Basquiat during his stay in my house in Milano in 1983. It was an homage to Leonardo‘s Mona Lisa.

The best arthouse film?
I think Pasolini was a great poet and created fantastic movies but if I want to have fun ‘Mon oncle d'Amérique’ directed by Jacques Tati...and Antonioni, and Hitchcock...difficult to say ! Blow Up is a “Capolavoro”!

What is good design?
Eames, Prouvé, Giò Ponti, Mollino, Sottsass, and Corbusier. Also unknown tailors, a jacket by Antonio Marras, a gilet by Leorosa, socks by Missoni, and and a shirt from Paul Smith. Architecture? Frank Gehry and Renzo Piano for the museums. I don't like to live in a house that is too modern.

Where do you find good design?
Good design is everywhere but you must have an eye. Anywhere from Ikea to a flea market to the Miami design fair to a vintage shop. You can find shit or good things but you must read and know the history. That makes the difference !

What is most difficult to find in contemporary culture?
Quality.

What do you find most exciting in contemporary culture?
The german word Zeitgeist. There’s no translation.

What do you still wish to learn?
My dream is to learn the Tango and dance with my daughter. 
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m playing myself in a documentary on the Milano art scene in the 80’s and I’m trying to organize my old photos and invitation cards of my gallery...when Milan was called ‘’Milano da bere’’...but to be honest at that time the wine was not so good !

Can you draw something for us?
Yes of course where should I send the invoice ?

Any last words?
Finché si è inquieti, si può stare tranquilli - Julien Green