Interview: Sodoma X
Luca Curci talks with during Sodoma X in the VISIONS, third appointment of CANVAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

SODOMA XIA is a 22-year-old photographer, digital artist and NFT artist currently based in London. (She creates works) about self-expression and self-acceptance. Most of her works are pretty dark, but it is just how she works to integrate into her shadow, accepting the aspects suppressed by her ego and then maintaining continuity and individuality. Her works are infinite darkness. They are horrific but stylised nightmares. Her works have recognizable high fantasy and satanic styles with extraordinary and provoking colour grading, sophisticated compositing, and exquisite details. They are emotionally provoking pieces, driving viewers into an infinite dark fantasy realm and making viewers forget reality. ‘Weltschmerz’ ( literally world-pain or world-weariness ) is the central concept of all her works.

It is a literal concept describing the feeling experienced by an individual who believes that reality can never satisfy the mind’s expectations, resulting in a mood of weariness or sadness about life arising from the acute awareness of evil andsuffering. The works in this exhibit feature a range of photography and new technology manipulation techniques, various types of processed colour grading and compositions.

Luca Curci – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
Sodoma Xia – Both contents and techniques. In terms of content, there are unique perspectives and visions behind the good photos, making the works stand out. Also, the fascination and obsession between the subject and the object. Sometimes it’s unidirectional, and the most preferred situation is directional. Among various objects interested in, it’s important to take time to find out the favourite ones which trigger the deepest obsessions. Because it will be shown on the emotional level of the final work and how deep can drag the viewers in.

LC – When you take photos, are you usually inspired by the situation or do you find inspiration in yourself?
SX – Both. Who I am and what I’m interested in determining in which niche fields I took inspiration from. When I create my works, I’m interested in some features of objects which beyond my common knowledge, and out of my comfort zone. Those sides that can surprise and trigger me bring the variety and newness of works. Something inherent inside me maintains the continuity and signature of my works.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
SX – From both imagery and music. Inspirations are about fascination and obsession. My visual features, and exquisite details, are inspired by techno. I love fast, intensive, groovy, dark and sophisticated beats. I feel when dancing. It’s a kind of meditation status. I transform the parts of sound I resonate with the most into parts of visual features with exquisite details. Visually, Steven Klein’s works touch me a lot. They are emotionally provocative pieces. Many artists choose to be conservative and stay in a comfort zone after their careers reach a specific point, however, Steven Klein still keeps making the breakthroughs in creative practices. I admire it. Greek mythology, Catholic paintings, Hieronymus Bosch, and H.R. Giger’s works also attract me a lot.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your artworks?
SX – Balance the inspirations I get from external and the coherent part inherent inside myself. It’s important to continuously find new inspirations and integrate them into works. However, the crucial part is how to co-exist with these external things perfectly, not loving, obsessing and being affected too much to lose own self.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
SX – It’s a part of preexisting works. Because it’s a short time for me to create new pieces for this exhibition on purpose. Most of the time, I prefer to create new pieces for specific themes of specific exhibitions. That way better challenge myself and push creativity further.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
SX – It is a symphony of space, but a symphony that never repeats and continues to develop. Is an extension of our bodies, and like us, it has an identity; but this identity is only revealed fully during the course of its lifetime.’ Uncertainty is also a possibility. I’d love to keep my life and creative perspectives dynamic and unstoppable evolutionary. Nothing for me is forever, and I’m looking forward to the answer at the end of my life.VISION explores all different facets of the social, physical and cultural identities of our contemporary society. Our identities are fluid and continuously shaped by our surroundings. I am reflecting on what I experienced in my past life. It is a literal concept describing the feeling experienced by an individual who believes that reality can never satisfy the mind’s expectations, resulting in a mood of weariness or sadness about life arising from the acute awareness of evil and suffering.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
SX – It’s a pleasure to cooperate with the ITSLIQUID group team. ITSLIQUID team is professional and delicate, which provides high-quality exhibition opportunities, connecting artists with their international partners. They gave a lot of professional support during each stage when cooperating with them. I really appreciate it. I will continue to cooperate with them in the future.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
SX – ITSLIQUID is an outstanding communication platform, that connects artists, curators, collectors, critics, etc. in world-leading art venues. The main reason that ITSLIQUID attracts me is the concept behind it, its shift value and its fluid status. Also, its database demographics are mainly in America and Europe, and that is where I hope to develop a market for my artwork. ITSLIQUID gives interview opportunities to artists to present the concepts and creative process in front of the audience, which is really important and helpful.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event?
SX – ITSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with ACIT Venice – Italian-German Cultural Association, made the outstanding success of the VISIONS, the third appointment of the CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR. The most impressive aspect of the event is the immersive performances by ballet dancer and choreographer Matteo Gavazzi and Greek artist Niki Zahari. It’s delighted to connect with artists, artworks, curators, collectors, and critics at the reputable Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.