Interview: Marco A. Vignati
Luca Curci talks with Marco A. Vignati during BARCELONA CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR 2021, 3rd Edition, at Valid World Hall Gallery.

Born in Milano (Italy) in 1963, he lives and works in Milano. He graduated as Architect at Politecnico of Milano and also at Civica Superior of Applied Art to Industry of Castello Sforzesco of Milano. Interested in design and object modeling, he began working as a designer for furniture companies for which he designs furniture and industrial design elements (Brunati Italia, Bros’s Group, Maggioni International, Ravarini, and Castoldi). He collaborates with Knoll International and Kvadrat in Office Environment projects. He has always combined his professional activity with pictorial research.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Marco A. Vignati – I started with graphic works while I was studying architecture at university: I learned the chalcographic technique and made graphic works on paper. Then I felt the need to use color and to measure myself with larger dimensions while maintaining the same rigor and formal definition of the graphic works. Looking back, I think that the same inspiration underlies my work and today the poetics are not so far removed from those of the beginning.

LC – What are your thoughts while you paint? Do you have any habits or rituals while you work?
MAV – Each of my works is an exploration, a treasure hunt in unknown territories. I never think about what my finished work will look like. It reveals itself gradually through unexplored paths. Overlaps and veils or sometimes ‘mistakes’ bring out the original character of the work. My task as an artist is to support and assist this work of manifestation of the painting itself. I leave room for and indulge the imagination of the work by remaining silent to catch its hidden hints.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
MAV – Movement and energy are the basis of my representations. There is always an event in my works, a break, an explosion, or a fusion of formal elements, and these silhouettes with light and shadow are always outlined and recognizable. It is a different reality represented in the moment of greatest expressiveness.

LC – What is your creative process like?
MAV – I never have a predefined idea of the final image of the work. It remains vague at first. A few sketches, some general ideas, or maybe a palette. But then I have to let go and observe the expressive potential that the canvas is offering from moment to moment and choose the one that I feel vibrates with greater intensity and involvement. My goal is to be amazed by my own work with the utmost care for the cleanliness of the sign and the formal elegance of the work.

LC – Do visitors’ suggestions enrich yourself and your art?
MAV – Everyone lives in their own world and sees things from their own point of view built up along a complex and articulated experiential path. Sometimes they open up new perspectives and open up new paths.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? How did it inspire you?
MAV – It seems to me that good quality work is on display, which is always stimulating.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
MAV – I’m displaying two artworks: “Nuvola”, 170 x 96 Acrylic on canvas, represents the movement of a fluid and dynamic form that unfolds in the composition. The object is traversed by impulses and gestures that explode from within, emerging into the light and releasing its energetic and chromatic charge. “Transmutation” 100×100 Acrylic recounts the mutation from a neutral and calm flow of forms in the lower part to the liberation of forms and colors in the upper part, in an upward motion. The neutral form chooses to vibrate with more energy and is transformed into red and green floating forms.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
MAV – I am at the beginning of this collaboration; I hope that my work can be valorized.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
MAV – This is my first experience with ITSLIQUID. I hope it will be fruitful for both of us.