Venice ignited a fascination with natural elements in the Italian artist Pier Paolo Calzolari: “It is impossible for a southern artist to forget this dichotomy between hot and cold, just like Eros and Thanatos.” His sublime works, which feature symbols like water, tobacco, frost, and the flame, celebrate boundlessness and messiness in organic life. Repetto Gallery’s exhibition presents Calzolari’s newest work. He has papered board, brushed the surface with milk tempera, and then dusted it with salt, which creates ripples and warps that radiate with sunny serenity, affection, and grace. —C.J.F.