Interview: Chiara Montenero
Luca Curci talks with Chiara Montenero during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Graduated in Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, journalist, she has collaborated with important newspapers such as Cahiers d’Art, Il Giornale, La Stampa, Il Tempo, Mercedes Magazine, Investire. In 1996 Marsilio Editori published his first collection of poems, Angeli in Ascensore (introduction by Alberto Bevilacqua). In 2000 the publishing house NovaTiporom published Ossimori – Mario Giacomelli: Mar io gia come Egli. In 2009 the publishing house Kimerik has published his second collection of verses, Indestructible Fragility. In 2010 Lithos Editrice published his essay, Ambivalences – Portrait of Arnold Wesker from A to W, published in 2012 in the UK by Oberon Books. In 2013, Kimerik Publishing House published his haiku poetry collection Beyond the Elsewhere. In 2017, Kimerik publishing house published her collection of fairy tales and short stories Tales. She is the author of the subject and screenplay of the short film Noiseless Hotel, awarded in 2007 at the Naples Film Festival and at the Reggio Calabria Film Festival, in programming on the Sky Cult satellite channel since July 2010.

LUCA CURCI – What subject matter are you working on?
CHIARA MONTENERO – I have an ongoing solo exhibition in Tunisia titled Ouatann, a tribute to Azza Filali that will end on October 30, 2021.

LC – How did you arrive at your current artistic practice?
CM – I started painting in 2012 for fun. I come from writing (journalist and writer) and I had fun imagining the cover of the literary works I love the most.

LC – What is the role of the artist in society? What about contemporary art?
CM – The artist should bring beauty and lightness to humanity, but also express anger and suffering for social and cultural injustices.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
CM – In literature and poetry.

LC – What is the most challenging part of creating your artwork?
CM – I like to experiment with new forms and materials and often it is not easy to get the desired result.

LC – We were drawn to your latest art production, was the work presented created for the exhibition or as part of pre-existing works?
CM – The works on display are two photo collages, chosen by you on my Facebook page.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
CM – I think that your conception of art best expresses the concept of “globalization”, obviously in an artistic sense. The theme of the exhibition is captivating and extremely timely.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
CM – Absolutely! Nowadays it is very difficult to find galleries willing to risk on an unknown artist, you give the opportunity to be “seen” and, therefore, to have new possibilities.

LC – Did you enjoy collaborating with us?
CM – It was very interesting and I hope to exhibit with you in the future.

LC – What are your suggestions about our services? Is there anything more we can provide to artists?
CM – I wouldn’t have any suggestions for you, in my opinion, you are doing a great job.