INTERVIEW: DELL’AVERSANA & VARAVALLO

Interview: Dell’Aversana & Varavallo Luca Curci talks with Anna Dell’Aversana & Vittorio Varavallo during BODIES+CITIES SKIN and FRAGMENTED IDENTITIES, the first and second appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR 2021, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most? VV – We are both graduated from the Accademia di Belle Arti of Naples. Anna completed in 2001, and I finished in 2000. We have worked together since 1996. From the beginning, we have learned to not split our personal life and our professional ones. Our romantic relationship has fed and it’s still feeding our behavior, our sight and our way to live art. Our educational background focuses on painting. In the beginning, our works were made by both of us and we use every single object around us. During the summer holiday, we ran out of colors, so we started to use wine, tea, and everything which can leave any kind of mark on the paper. It was the summer of ‘96, we read “Il corpo postorganico” by Teresa Macrì and after that, we discovered our way to create art through photography and video performance. In September ‘98, we created “Corpogetto” (a contraction between the Italian words ‘body’ and ‘object’).

LC – What is art for you? ADA – Art is a universal language that is capable of communicating with another person in an authentic way.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in society? And Contemporary Art? VV – There are many kinds of artists who have different backgrounds, styles and wishes. According to us, Art is an instrument that can tell and communicate, it’s our evidence on earth as human beings.

LC – What is your creative process like? VV – We change our sensations in language through an intimistic and personal way. Our art is really close to the expressionist style, but also to body artists of the sixties. Of course, our art is less bloody and spectacularized. Now we have a specific role: I write; Anna takes pictures, and then I take care of the photo material. ADA – I prefer feeling the painting, the paper and colors. If we don’t like what we create, we decide to stand still and then take back just when we feel we are ready. It’s a natural and respectful process.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any? VV – We don’t prefer any particular artistic theme. We want to focus on ourselves and on our way to live and feel the world.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival, how did it inspire you? In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the festival’s theme? ADA – The concept of this festival is really close to what we are looking for. The festival explores the limits of human behavior, physical and mental, how people live and change themselves in contemporary society. It’s a theme very close to “Confinati” (Confined), the concept of our research.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists? VV – Absolutely. It could not be otherwise. The organization is well structured and the concepts are modern.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us? ADA – Yes, we did. In particular, we worked with Giulia Spagnuolo who showed us her ability and availability.

LC – What is your idea about ITSLIQUID GROUP? VV – ITSLIQUID GROUP is an organization that doesn’t leave anything to chance.