Interview

Apr 28

Filippo Tincolini

Filippo Tincolini attended Carrara’s Arts Academy, where he graduated in sculpture in 2001. After graduating, he built two symposia in collaboration with other artists: the SIEMA and the SINSP in the Balearic Islands, a monumental sculpture park.

In 2004, driven by a strong desire for experimentation and research, he co-founded TorArt, a modern and innovative space that uses sophisticated equipment for working with marble, stone, and hard materials. As director, he helps find solutions for futuristic projects, such as the recovery and reconstruction of the Palmyra Arch, which was destroyed by the Islamic State.

*Filippo Tincolini in his laboratory with robot - Richard Barns*

Filippo supports many international artists in modelling, prototyping, and realization of their projects, combining innovative technologies and centuries-old knowledge. He currently collaborates with Liquid Art System.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I grew up in Pontedera, Tuscany and completed my studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara. During my formative years, I attended many craft workshops in Tuscany, focusing on marble workshops in Carrara. A big turning point in my work was the realization that classical sculpture alone was no longer enough, and this pushed me to start looking outside the box.
Today, my goal is to investigate the infinite and largely unexplored possibilities that new technologies make available, without forgetting the teachings of classical sculpture. My research recognizes a unique narrative power in art when dropped into the contemporaneity of human living.”

Spaceman at Summerlights

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

"I’m inspired by the need to represent reality. In my work, I try to highlight contemporary themes through forms from classical and modern art. My artworks deal with a world that is both real and imaginary — a world crushed by injustices, but still fights against them.
Petroleum, a crushed bin, Inflatable, a penguin with a life belt, deal with the current environmental and climate crisis. Venus and Vestalia covered and swaddled, clutched in their gauze regard gender violence; the Spaceman speaks of nature rebelling against man. These are some of the issues I deal with. I want to provoke people; to make them think.”

“In my work, I extract the soul from shapes and objects, and I give it new life.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work as a sculptor focuses on hyperrealism and mimesis of materials. I believe that artistic action is about capturing the soul of forms and objects, and placing them in a new context — creating sculptures that recall the past, but at the same time surpass it. I like to challenge the imaginary by reproducing everyday objects or classical sculptures with extreme attention to details.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I’m influenced by many contemporary artists, both Italian and international, from the myths of our tradition: from Michelangelo to Canova, passing by Bernini. I’m also influenced by the work of the great contemporary artists, such as Koons, Hirst and Cattelan.”

Venus bagged art work

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process always starts with an inspiration from daily life, or an idea that pops up from my imagination. The next phase is design, where I use technology to create a virtual representation of my work. Next, I apply modern technologies for milling marble or other hard materials to shape my work, and then use traditional techniques to finish it.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“The role of an artist in society is to express his or her worldview, and to create artworks that stimulate reflection on political and sociocultural issues. Art is capable of creating awareness, and therefore an artist is an important social actor.
The role of artists is evolving as technologies advance and the world changes. Artists are exploring new art forms, creating works that incorporate digital and interactive elements, and using art as a tool to express their vision of past, present, and future.”

Hurricane Dettails

Please tell us about any previous exhibitions you found noteworthy and wish to share.

“My most recent exhibition was OPEN END in Geneva, where I had the opportunity to exhibit alongside great contemporary artists. I’ve also participated in the following collective exhibitions:
2022
- Art Miami Fair, Miami, USA.
- Open End, Renégociation, curated by Luca Depietri and Vincenzo Calas, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Summer Lights, curated by Nicola Ricci and Federico Giannini, Carrara, Italy.
- Acqua Aria, curated by Andrea Guastella, Rome, Italy.
- White Carrara, curated by Emma Castè, Carrara, Italy.
2021
- Triennale Exhibition of Visual Arts in Rome, curated by Gianni Dunil, Rome, Italy.
- Maestri del Contemporaneo in Mostra, curated by Luciano Carin, Piacenza, Italy.
Awards:
2021
- Artingenio Museum Award, third prize awarded by Vittorio Sgarbi, Pisa, Italy. “