about us
Pool & Marianela are an artistic couple. They are Rita Marianela Perelli (1979, San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Argentina) and Emiliano “Pool” Polini (1983, Arroyo Seco, Argentina). Marianela graduated in fashion design from the Visual Communication Institute esto ponelo en español of Rosario. Pool graduated in Graphic Design from the Higher School of Graphic Design and has developed his artistic career in autodidact way.
They met in 2009 and in 2011 formed Pool & Marianela as a brand and artistic identity.
They have made exhibitions in galleries around the world, especially in Europe, Argentina, and the United States, among which it stands out “La Luz de Jesús” in Los Angeles. Their work has been featured in prestigious international media such as HYPERALLERGIC, The New York Times, Le Monde, Hi-Fructose, BBC, CNN, etc. They have famous followers like Alex de la Iglesia, Steve Jones, MOBY, Marky Ramone, and Kevin Smith, among others.
Their controversial works address the representation of sacred figures from the perspective of childhood eyes and the updating of the canon of beauty and pictorial of the era we live in. The pieces sit on the thin line that divides disrespect from homage, not taking an obvious stance, attempting to make short-term analysis impossible—a speed they detest and believe is the main tool of cultural deterioration that threatens us.
Throughout their career, three series stand out as the backbone of their production: BARBIE THE PLASTIC RELIGION, a kind of multi-religious saint calendar exploring the updating of the beauty canon and the commodification of faith; KIDSTIANISM, which addresses Christianity from the perspective of children and their literalism in understanding metaphors; and WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LAMB OF GOD, which explores the construction of religion through art history, and how each biblical scene painted by the great masters of history can be fused and syncretized with the official illustrations (covers, vignettes, advertisements) of DC Comics’ Superman, merging Botticelli with Dan Jurgens, Seghers with Bret Breeding, or Fra Angelico with Curt Swan.
Solo Exhibits
2021 – “Pool&Marianela and the Masters of the Universe”, en Fiebre Galería, Patio de Liceo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2013 – “Una Muestra de la Gran Patria”, Phos Galería de Arte Contemporáneo, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2013 – “Entraña Argentina”, Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2015 – “Santos y Pecadores” (Barbie The Plastic Religion) en POPA Galería, La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2015 – “Objeto de Deseo”, en Ambos Mundos Fondo de Arte, San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2016 – Pool&Marianela: Barbie The Plastic Religion, La Luz de Jesús Gallery, Los Ángeles, Ca, Estados Unidos.
2018 – KIDSTIANISM: Barbie The Plastic Religion, La Luz de Jesús Gallery, Los Ángeles, Ca, Estados Unidos.
2018 – Jesús Cake junto a AMBOS MUNDOS FONDO DE ARTE, en Feria de Arte Contemporáneo Argentina FACA, en Hipódromo de Palermo.
2018 – Barbie The Plastic Religion Xmas Edition, La Fiambrería Art Gallery, Calle de Pez 7, Malasaña, Madrid.
2019 – Barbie The Plastic Religion, en Pasadena, CA, en 30th South Gallery.
2021 – Whatever Happened to the Lamb of God, en el privado espacio de Arte Las Delicias.
2022 – Solo Show en Feria de ARte, MAPA, Hipódromo de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Group Exhibits
2016 – Participación en la Muestra Barbie, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, París, Francia.
2017 – Gabinete de Curiosidades (Feria de Arte Contemporáneo Argentina FACA), Hipódromo de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2017 – Participación en la Muestra Barbie, Gwangmyeong Cave, 142 Gahak-ro 85beon-gil, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Gwangmyeong, South Korea.
2018 – Participación en la muestra SHOP IT!, Haifa Museum of Art. Shabtai Levi ST 26 Haifa.