Interview: Federica Rodella
Luca Curci talks with Federica Rodella, honourable mention of ITSLIQUID International Contest – 15th edition.

Federica Rodella, born in 1989, based in Turin, is an artist whose creative path is deeply rooted in philosophy, providing a solid foundation for her profound exploration of human emotions and universally resonating symbols. Drawing inspiration from the surrealist movement, she blurs the boundaries between reality and dreams, unveiling the depths of the subconscious and the irrational while seamlessly weaving aesthetics with profound meaning. Her artistic expertise spans various techniques, paper collage, digital graphics, and AI. Federica’s art has earned international recognition in many cities as New York, Rome, and Paris. In her works, she not only showcases technical versatility but also a compelling narrative that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries, inviting viewers into a realm where emotion and symbolism converge in a captivating dance.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Federica Rodella – I have sought an approach that allows me to express surrealism. My works often serve as open windows into interiority and frequently unfold through dreams. Dreams are not exclusive to individuals; they are never subjective but rather blend present and past, drawing from the unconscious archetypal images that resonate universally. Here, past and future coexist, expressed through the use of AI collages that merge and amalgamate with digital software. The integration of advanced technologies, such as the AI collage and digital software, in my work represents my attempt to connect the past with the future, bridging the traditional and the modern. This fusion of the ancient and the contemporary unfolds through a process akin to dreams, where fragments of experiences are reassembled into a unique visual narrative. I employ AI beyond traditional mediums because I believe this approach can evoke and delve into the unconscious of modern humanity, rearranging images much like our minds reconstruct fragments during dreaming. It is a process aimed at bringing forth new perspectives, revealing profound and surprising connections in the fabric of our collective consciousness. In this way, my art becomes a journey through time and space of humanity.

LC – How is your creative process?
FR – My creative process is an intimate journey through the exploration of the unconscious. I begin by gathering fragments of experiences, memories, and images that personally resonate with me or embody universal archetypes. These elements become the foundational building blocks of my work. The integration of artificial intelligence and digital software comes into play in a subsequent phase. I experiment creating a digital collage that harmoniously blends human and technological components. It’s a dialogue between me and machine that introducing an element of surprise and challenge to my creative process. During this phase, I leave room for unpredictability and spontaneous interaction between the elements, allowing AI to contribute to the creation of new connections and forms. It’s a delicate balance between artistic control and openness to the unexpected, reflecting the complexity of the unconscious and its ability to generate meaning in unforeseen ways. The final result is an artwork that brings together the past and the future, the human and the technological, through a visual spectacle that invites viewers to explore their own unconscious and contemplate the connection between the inner and modern outer worlds.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
FR – My creative process is a fusion of both conscious and unconscious elements, depending on what I choose to contemplate. Often, I draw inspiration from dreams, exploring images that emerge from the unconscious. Subsequently, I seek a common thread connecting these images to relevant themes in the contemporary world and the challenges it presents. This interplay between the unconscious and the contemporary reality contributes to shaping and enriching my creative approach, allowing the artworks to convey layers of meaning that are both personal and universal.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
FR – I use to delve into the worlds that reside within me and explore the influences shaping my behavior. In my creative process, I seek to discover implicit invitations in the smallest details, encouraging the viewer to follow along through the artworks. This invitation goes beyond mere observation; it’s an urging to explore whether they too can recognize themselves in the images and feelings I’ve captured. Art thus becomes a bridge connecting individual experiences, inviting observers to connect through emotions and collectively uncover the common threads that bind us.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
FR – Having a philosophical background, my inspiration frequently stems from philosophy and psychology. Despite my inclination to embody concepts in visual imagery rather than verbal expressions, the entirety of human thought has perpetually captivated me. It beckons me to represent it through the language of shapes and colors.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
FR – I believe that connection is crucial in the art world, both among artworks themselves and between the artist and the audience. In the realm of art, there are no passive participants; even the viewer contributes to creating the meaning of the piece. For me, it is essential that reality like ITSLIQUID exist to facilitate the connection between numerous viewers and artists and also between artists and artists. This not only enhances the appreciation of the artworks but also fosters the formation of shared meanings, allowing the works themselves to exist and take shape through the ongoing interaction between creators and observers.