Elio Marchegiani (Syracuse 1929). La Mosca, 1969. 33x33 cm. Framed 48x48. Mixed media on paper. On verso on closing support Work signed inside at no. 13 of "Registro Opere Rare"". Certificate of authenticity with title, year and signature Elio Marchegiani LA MOSCA 1969. registration details and measurements in double circle at no.13 Reg.1969. Rare Works Register and green Elio Marchegiani stamp. Framed. Provenance Atelier of the artist Important private collection Bologna Notes "In early 1969, I do not remember exactly the date, an American man was selected by other men as a "superman" to be launched, with a rocket, into otherworldly space. He was to land on the moon for the first time with a special vehicle: LEM, thus completing the program called Apollo that the Americans were living in a competition with Russia, which was also preparing to conquer the moon. It was striking multimedia display not only of the mega-structures at Cape Kennedy, but also of the supermann Yankees,, supreme beings rulers of celestial space ... until ... Schweickart sneezed inside his own space suit helmet. He had fallen ill with "flu": fever, cough, runny nose. It is communicated, just to keep up appearances, that he was suffering from space sickness. At Cape Kennedy Richard Nixon and family visit him in the hospital, while television stations publicize the visit. The superman has fallen ill like any other human being: the U.S. President consoles him (brings him oranges?). Meanwhile, the greatest technological Tower of Babel, raised by man to the sky, falters: the launch stops. The Apollo 9 (multiple of three: perfect number) involving verification of the LEM, lunar module, will have to wait. Incredible: a MICROBO is still more powerful than all the power of the first World Power. With the future Apollo 10, without testing of the LEM, it is impossible to land on the Moon: it will have to wait until July for the launch of Apollo 11. Russia smiles as a MOSCA, a ubiquitous and cosmopolitan insect, licks its paws. She is the one who has contaminated Schweickart. She is the new ecumenical creature ministering the contagion: brotherhood is only in the epidemic. So thought in 1969 and still thinks in 2009 Elio Marchegiani now in his eighties." From www.eliomarchegiani.com/Eventi from the distant past