In 1985, continuing his activity as a sculptor, Livio De Marchi created an enormous wooden carving of a Japanese origami style paper hat. In 1986, a similarly gigantic floating woman’s shoe was constructed by De Marchi. Then again in 1987, following the tradition of origami, he carved a dove representing peace. The dove carving stands alongside the paper hat in the Central Park of Himeji, Japan as a monument.
In the same year, the Kunsthalle Museum in Emden, Germany acquired one of De Marchi’s pieces. It was a big carved pot with brushes entitled, “Flowers of the Artist.” At Kimihiro Fujii’s Gallery, “Hiro in Tokyo,” there was a personal show for De Marchi. In 1988, he created a floating life-size 1937 Jaguar, sculpted in wood. The Carsch House in Düsseldorf, Germany organized a personal show for Livio De Marchi, too.
Later on, in 1989, Livio carved a life-size Fiat Topolino Mod. A. The Jelmoli company in Zürich organized a personal show dedicated to De Marchi. In 1990, he created the “House of Books.” The house is in St. Anna – Tambre D’Alpago (BL) Italy. That project achieved worldwide fame. In 1991, the Jelmoli company organized another show for him in Zürich.
In 1993, Dutch Television (Tros) made a special documentary about Mr. De Marchi. He’s had an illustrious career as an artist and craftsman. Ripley’s American Museum, in St. Augustine, Florida acquired the Fiat Topolino, and the floating 1937 Jaguar. The Muskegon Museum of Art in Michigan purchased a big carved pot of brushes to put on display. Later, Livio created the “House of Books No. 2” in Bergneustadt, Germany for a private collection.
In 1994, Livio’s fantasy took flight once again, as he created a floating work of art called “A Dream in Venice.” This piece was a huge pumpkin drawn by 4 horses, which rear up when the driver pulls their reins. The pumpkin can accommodate 4 people. It was one of the jewels of Carnival 1994. After a few months, Ripley’s American Museum obtained this piece for its collection, too. In October 1994, De Marchi constructed his “House of Books No. 3” in Japan. It is at the Pension Costa del Sol on the peninsula of Izu, in front of the Pacific Ocean. Livio De Marchi intended to execute 10 of these “House of Books” creations all around the world.
Chisels lie on Mr. De Marchi’s workbench, along with a smattering of chips.
Mr. De Marchi outside of a gallery featuring his wood and glass work.
For the 1995 Carnival in Venice, De Marchi carved an 8 meter high vase with 12 flowers (4 roses, 4 tulips, and 4 daisies). It was anchored near the Dogana on the Grand Canal. In the spring of 1995, Angelika Obermüller organized a personal show with De Marchi pieces in her gallery in Munich. In June 1995, he showed his artworks in a personal exhibition in Austria, at a wonderful old castle in Frohnleiten.
From March 30th to May 4th of 1996, De Marchi had a personal exhibition courtesy of Galerie Lieve Hemel in Amsterdam. In February 1997, he created a floating wooden motor car “Mercedes Seagull,” and it was shown at the art fair called KunstRAI. De Marchi had another personal exhibition at the Galerie Lieve Hemel in May-July of 97’. In Febuary 1999, Livio created a floating wooden car “Volkswagen Beetle,” and it was shown at the Art fair KunstRAI in June.
In June-July 1999, a personal exhibition was shown at the Galerie Lieve Hemel. In November 1999/2000, De Marchi’s work was shown at SOFA Chicago, courtesy of the Mostly Glass Gallery. In 2000, his exhibition IL LEGNO IN VETRO was shown at the gallery Pauly S. Marco, Venice.
Later in 2000, De Marchi created his popular floating wooden Ferrari F50. In 2001, the Ferrari and other large works were shown in Palm Springs, California, and toured the U.S. courtesy of the Mostly Glass Gallery. In 2003, from June 14th to July 20th, his fifth personal exhibition was held at Galerie Lieve Hemel in Amsterdam.