Francesca Calzà
Discover the talents of T.O.E. Art Market through a series of exclusive interviews with the artists on our platform.
Let us explore together the artistic practices and research carried out by the authors who enrich our community with their unique works. Each week, we invite you to learn more about the challenges, languages, themes and stories behind their work and get in touch with the creative minds that make T.O.E. Art Market a vibrant and dynamic showcase.
We are here in the company of Marco Casalena. Let's start right away with a few questions to get to know you better!
Francesca Calzà - Could you tell us a little about your artistic journey? How did you approach art?
Marco Casalena - I approached art in more depth during my work experience in Paris. During that time, I was able to visit various galleries and museums and become more aware as an active observer and protagonist of the art world. Moments of fervour and constant artistic research triggered my curiosity about certain currents and streams of thought, which resulted in the actual practical determination of my first series of works "Space in Between".
Francesca Calzà - What were the encounters, cultural references or moments that had a strong impact on the development of your research?
Marco Casalena - The encounters and moments of strong curiosity triggers were the frequent visits to the Centre Pompidou in Paris and before that to the Tate Gallery in London. In these emblematic places, I was able to explore and come into contact with various artistic currents, studying them in a more visceral way. Subsequently, my participation in the Master "Futuro Vegetale" at the University of Florence, coordinated by Prof. Stefano Mancuso, gave me the opportunity to explore and deepen my research on the environment and ecology. Various meetings with experts and site-visits have enriched a process of further awareness of the dynamics of the living and natural environment.
Francesca Calzà - Are there constants in your work? What drives you to investigate these topics?
Marco Casalena - Certainly the constant in my work is curiosity, and research must be the driving force of the whole process. This must always be a constantly evolving platform, a constant aspiration to look for something different, something more and more stimulating.
Francesca Calzà - Could you share with us some details of your creative process?
Marco Casalena - In my latest series of works, I always try to investigate the subject of environmental and ecological art, a subject that is very dear to me. Part of the process is research in various trade magazines and specialist books. Then I try to elaborate and develop a concept, a message that wants to convey a greater awareness of a naturalistic topic. The dissemination of ecology becomes a priority for me
Francesca Calzà - How does a work come into being, does it always start from a predefined idea?
Marco Casalena - The genesis of a work of art always starts with documentary research. Secondly, I try to understand what the medium might be to express and initiate the artistic process at hand. For me, the most important and engaging part must be the message, the concept of the work itself, capable of triggering a different and more critical look at various ecological aspects. The observer must be able to become aware of the plant world and become part of it, trying to rediscover a unique and ancient bond, new roots to be able to bring about changes in everyday life.
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