What prompted you to approach art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
I was born an artist, it's always been in me.
It was not my activity in the first period of my life, but at the age of 40 I stopped everything to make it my main activity. It was not an easy choice, but a necessary choice.
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
For the journey, it's about learning to survive, the romantic vision of the artist doesn't exist, I work a lot with the internet. Fortunately, moreover, platforms such as Artmajeur exist to give voice to artists.
I started with no money, no knowledge, no pretensions, no culture, just the desire to do, to experiment. I explored the techniques, the subjects as I went, I was first guided by instinct, then I learned, I am still learning, art is a long apprenticeship.
I went from drawing, to acrylic, to pastel, torn paper, cut paper, but also by computers, photography, 3d software, etc.
The subjects were first esoteric, then societal, and finally human.
I have long been attracted by current events, I believe I had things to say, I said them in my own way.
I'm always looking for a way (or maybe a voice?) It's a constant evolution both in technique and subjects
New mediums fascinate me, each technique inspires me differently.
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
Quite honestly I don't know.
there are several aspects; I work in series, by thoughtful or instinctive design, all independent of each other, both on subjects and on styles and techniques, it is always the exploration that interests me, of a technique, of a subject, etc.
I am particularly attracted by a certain technical mastery, a concern for perfection, but also by the message conveyed through the work.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Mainly exchanges, observation, meetings, I observe the people around me a lot, I watch the news with a certain attention. The music helps me a lot to think, in general there is an initial idea, then I unroll the thread a bit like a ball.
What is the intention of your art? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
The first intention is to say something, you still have to have something to say.
More particularly it is the exchange that interests me, sometimes the spectator sees in a work something that I had not seen, but which is actually there. I like the debate of ideas, I also like constructive criticism, it allows us to destroy certainties, and forces us to question ourselves.
There is also an undeniable intention of seduction as an artist, I need my work to be seen, as long as it pleases, shocks, whatever, as long as it does not leave people indifferent. Probably a link with the ego dear to Ben.
I also readily admit that some of my artistic work is more commercial, because artists have the same needs as everyone else.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?
The process is very variable, sometimes a flash goes through you and it's very spontaneous, other times it's not the case you have to think, build, let mature, then it comes out.
sometimes I search for hours without finding anything, the ideas do not warn before arriving, they arrive or they do not arrive.
Either way, it always comes with a lot, a lot of work.
So there is first the idea, then the reflection on the idea, that is to say how to shape it, then the shaping. This is the most exciting part of the process, I always look forward to seeing the end result, like a child with a new toy. Sometimes it doesn't work, you have to start over until it does.
But I think the most important thing in art is the idea. Whatever the movements: constructivists, stencils, impressionists, cubists, there is always a starting point, a different way of approaching the subject. and a character who becomes its leader. This is the case of Picasso for cubism, Dali for surrealism, Banksy for street art, etc.
What techniques do you prefer? If yes, can you explain it?
Undoubtedly I like torn paper, cut, printed etc, the texture of the paper.
I also like color, preferably very matte, very pigmented, color provokes a strong reaction in me, like music.
Concerning the technique here it is a relationship with the material.
But the greatest freedom of work I obtained it in the virtual world, there is no limit with the creation, it misses there against the matter.
Are there innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
Yes when I use computers, 3d software, image editing software, these are different, innovative and inspiring mediums, it opens up new perspectives.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? If yes, why ?
The square format has occupied a large place in my work, I don't know why, when it comes to the support, it really depends on the techniques.
Where do you produce your work? At home, in a shared or private studio? And in this space, how is your production organized?
I produce in my workshop almost every day, I start at the beginning of the afternoon until early the next morning in general.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If yes, what do you gain
Unfortunately I don't really have the time, in general they come to see me, I prefer to stay focused on my work.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your figure as an artist in the future?
I don't know, I hope to still have inspiration and new ideas to bring, it's mainly research that interests me.
Of course I dream of inventing something new, I still don't know if it's a utopia.
What is the subject, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
Part of my work is resolutely inclined towards an offbeat art, easy to approach, inspired by neo pop art or post pop art. The other part of my work is more conceptual, I work on both at the same time. There is therefore no last production, it is a continuous thread which unfolds in a bulimic way a little each day.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
There are two
American dream this one gave me a lot of work, at that time the torn paper mixed with pop art collages did not have the same enthusiasm as in the years that followed.
The second exhibition which was a gift is in Dubai a virtual exhibition on the Eleven media network thanks to the Emerging artist award. I was exposed on 1000 screens in the city for a week. It was easier to mount for incredible visibility, at the time of the Covid.
But I'm not a fan of exhibitions, unless they are financed by sponsors under good conditions.
In this case I can choose to work on a subject and offer an experience to an audience, there it is interesting even if there is nothing to sell.
I did it with the immersive suspensions. But conventional exhibitions to sell, I'm not very interested.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why would you choose it?
Man Ray: "Gift" for irony, it's so great in 1921 what a break!!!.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest spending the evening?
I think it would be with Ben (Benjamin Vautier), to talk about everything, nothing, art, the beautiful, the ugly in art, the Nice school, Fluxus.
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Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
