Memories of Diego Voci by Widow Helga

The Diego Voci Project is gathering “everyday moments” of Diego.

We posted a series of questions on Artifact Collectors to help us learn more about Diego.  http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-antonio-diego-voci-3984818/Page17.html#115141

Helga Voci in Germany, responded.  She is the widow of internationally collected artist Diego Voci (1920-85).  Helga shares with us her behind the scenes life with Diego.

What would Diego say when he was smoking a cigarette? (2 packs a day, unfiltered)
“Diego said never anything when he smoked, he enjoyed his cigarettes, and he only got mad when me or somebody else would criticize for smoking so much. He smoked all over, in the house, in the car, at a friends’ house.”

DIEGO with cigarette in hand

Would Diego say anything after a first sip of wine? “Wine was fine for him, but he would never drink more than 1 or 2 glasses, after dinner only espresso and water.”

What would Diego say when he was frustrated with a painting? What would he do? Would he stop and say something or did he gesture a frustration?  “When Diego was frustrated with a painting he would put it aside and finish it later.”

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when a potential collector came thru the door?  “Diego was always friendly and very pleased when somebody would come through the door, a customer or just friend, he always liked to have guests in the house, we always said-we have an open house.”

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when Diego put down his paint brush and knew a painting was done?  “When a painting was done, he would put it away and it did not interest him anymore, he was only interested in a white canvas, so he could start again.”

Foto0120 Christiane Hauk (2)

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when he sold a painting?  “Diego did not get so much excited when he sold a painting, he knew he needed the money to pay the bills, but money did not really interest him, he wanted a good life, nice Restaurants, Holidays, good Hotels, pay his bills, the house, etc.  But he never was interested to shevel money, he did not care, as long as I had a comfortable life and Alessandra had everything she needed, everything was fine.”

What would Diego say over and over and over again to Alessandra?  “He always would say to Alessandra “Pallina mia” (little ball), he loved her very much, he would go to Italy once a year and buy beautiful dresses, coats and shoes in expensive boutiques for her, this was his biggest pleasure, he would buy everything what she wanted.”

DIEGO, Joy & Alessandra in St. Tropez, France 1977

Helga, what slipped into Diego’s voice to keep you calm, “quote” in his words? “To me he would say: Tutto bene (everything all right), non aver paura (don`t worry), and stai calma (be quiet, there are no problems).”

Diego__and_Helga

Diego Collectors, share your memories with us at diegovociproject@gmail.com.

 

 

WHAT WOULD #DIEGO SAY?

“I am always learning, always painting, to fill a need… to express.”  Diego’s exact words.  We want and need more quotes!

First, thanks to Mara, Lars and Stephen for your comments that inspired by the life and art of our hero, Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985).

Lars, we are so grateful you found Artifact Collector’s (see link http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-antonio-diego-voci-3984818/Page17.html#115141 ) and shared your story with the history your parents have in collecting Diego Voci’s works of art.

ACTION FOR HELP:

Lars, and everyone who knew Diego, we would like to know much more about your personal experiences with Diego every detail to include in the Diego Voci Archive™.  One thing we treasure is the exact words as Diego would express his thoughts from the mundane to the worldly view of the great philosophers; everything in his broken Italian accented English. We are gathering such quotes to publish on Wikiquotes.

1974-diego-catalog-back-cover

What would Diego say when he was smoking a cigarette? (2 packs a day, unfiltered)

Would Diego say anything after a first sip of wine?

What would Diego say when he was frustrated with a painting?  What would he do? Would he stop and say something or did he gesture a frustration?

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when a potential collector came thru the door?

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when Diego put down his paint brush and knew a painting was done?

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when he sold a painting?

What would Diego say over and over and over again to Alessandra?

Helga, what slipped thru Diego’s voice to keep you calm, “quote” in his words?

Lars, we hope you receive the message on Artifact Collectors “Antonio Diego Voci” thread.  When you sign in on a “Guest” post without registering with AC (it’s free to register when you do) we are unable to respond to you directly and you will not be notified when we respond back to you.*

We” is in reference to the all-volunteer Diego Voci Project to assist the Diego Voci Estate in cataloging all of Diego works of art and creating awareness for the Diego Voci Legacy™.  Helga is still living in Taunusstein, Germany near Wiesbaden.

*NOTE: To all Artifact Collector readers, please sign in.  90% of “Guest” entries get lost in cyberspace of the website, preventing further person to person communication.  Signing in allows use of AC personal messaging system (not available as a “Guest”).

 

 

THE #DIEGO NAME #MYSTERY

How and when did Antonio Innocenzo Voci (No Diego), born August 10, 1920 in the small village of Gasperina, Italy become known as “Diego”?

Friends and family called him “TOTO” in his years of youth (No Diego).

Diego (Toto) Reincarnated NEW YORKER CARTOON 22 JAN 2015

Somewhere from “TOTO” there was a change to “Diego” even though he would not sign his art “Diego” until 1965.  Early works of art were signed some form of VOCI.  As late as 1965, his works were advertised by Schloßgalerie, #Zürich, as Antonio Voci (Not Diego).  He signed “A. Voci”.

Alt and Jung ZURICH News Ad 600 dpi

Yet much earlier he was called “Diego.”  How & when is unknown.  Anthony “Tony” Voci in 1957 (son of Diego’s older brother Vincenzo) toured Europe with “Diego”.  Tony said in an interview;

“Every town we drove thru, Diego would say we need to stop for an espresso and cigarette”…. When Diego would walk into the restaurants, the owners would welcome him as “Diego”.”

Diego signed “D. Voci 1957” on the gifts he drew for Tony during the same travels.

In 1960 the famous sculptor Gigi #Guadagnucci used the name “Diego” to introduce him to Helga at the Les Deux Magots café in Paris.  Helga knew her husband-to-be as “Diego” for their 25 years together.

He first signed his work “Diego” in 1965 when Joy Gibson, the Canadian art dealer began representing his work.

In 1970, he signed a contract with Dr. Jawdat Naffouj, as “Antonio Diego.”

In 1974, he signed a contract with Cooprider signing “Diego Voci”.

1976 was the first time he offered his name as Antonio “Diego” Voci on an official government document.  It was with the town of Taunusstein for a residence permit required to buy the house / studio where Diego & Helga lived together until his death in 1985.  Helga maintains the same address.

So again, the big question is: how and when did “Toto” become “Diego”?  Can you help?

You can see a few signatures from his paintings on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/diegovoci/signatures/ and Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Diego_Voci#Gallery

AC DV History 12/21/15 #208