MEMORIES OF UNCLE DIEGO by Mario #Voci (U.K.)

“Hello everyone! As I was going through some old photos it occurred to me an episode happened when uncle Diego was visiting us in the mid 50’s, same time of the photo where the whole Voci family are posing in front of St. Peter’s in #Rome with “nonna” (grandma) Arcangela ( See photo: http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-history-4330818/Page7.html#198)

Antonio #Diego Voci in 1954

He came with his big car #Opel #Kapitän and as I was fascinated by its size and style. I asked my father Guiseppe (#Diego’s younger brother) if uncle could take me for a drive, which he did.

Whilst driving I noticed a hammer on the dashboard and I asked what on earth he had such a thing next to him. He took the hammer, and smiling he banged it against the windscreen and  said it was only rubber – that he used it when driving in Paris for the drivers there were a bit naughty. Uncle “Toto” would frighten them by banging the hammer on his windows.

Funny but true. He liked to joke a lot my dear uncle “Toto“. I hope this will be of interest to you.

Best wishes from Mario Voci in England”

Thank you Mario! With regards from the DIEGO VOCI PROJECT Team
Coop, Stephen, Lisa and Kami

Visit and Write us at: www.diegovociproject.com

AC DV History #198 4/5/2015

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).

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”.

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