Interview
Francesco Riccardi
Francesco Riccardi is a cross-disciplinary expert in video editing, 3D, and graphic design. He graduated in Multimedia and Technological Arts, teaching digital video, 3D, and videomapping in Naples and Rome. Currently, he is a 3D Artist Manager for a leading company in Mixed Reality and holography for global leaders in luxury and design.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in a highly industrial city in northern Italy. A few years later, my parents relocated to southern Italy for work. This is where I completed my studies through high school. During my teenage years, my family and I often clashed over my desire to attend an art school in a nearby town. My parents ultimately won those arguments, and I enrolled in a scientific high school instead - a school filled with mathematics and chemistry, completely devoid of art.
While I studied formulas and equations, I surrounded myself with people who loved art and drawing. I drew relentlessly, every moment I could, as if it were a necessity rather than a passion. In my first year of high school, I found an outlet in graffiti. Late at night, I would roam the streets of my town with spray cans in hand, experimenting with techniques, color blending, spray intensities, and methods for filling large areas. I was fascinated by how these choices impacted visual perception, making each attempt a learning experience in itself.
When it was time for university, I finally got to follow my heart and enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts. It was a transformative experience - a vibrant place brimming with inspiration, incredible people, both students and professors, and an abundance of creative stimuli. I chose to specialize in Graphic Design, a program that offered courses on Media Theory, Digital Video, Puppet Theatre, Visual Perception, Art History, Printmaking, and more.
The academy was in a large city not too far from my hometown, but due to tensions with my parents, I decided to rent an apartment closer to campus. This gave me the freedom and space to think, create, and immerse myself in art without interruptions or limitations. During my first year, I met Valeria, a scenography student who would later become my wife. Soon after, two housemates joined me - a Spanish guy and a Chinese student. Through them, I was introduced to friends from Germany, Turkey, Poland, and France. These friendships enriched my world even further, filling it with cultural diversity and fresh perspectives that deeply influenced my artistic journey.
At the time, I was deeply immersed in video art and often featured my friends’ faces in my work. While I embraced the ideals of pop art, my aesthetic veered in a completely different direction - one that was darker, more gothic, and introspective. My art leaned toward the psychological and surreal, drawing inspiration from artists like Bill Viola, Stan Brakhage, and Jan Švankmajer. I completed my degree in three years, graduating with top honors. Shortly after, Valeria and I moved to Rome, where I pursued a Master's degree in Multimedia and Technological Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. Those two years were another whirlwind of learning, creating, and growing as an artist, and I graduated once again with top honors.”
What inspires you?
“I often reflect on this question, and every time, the answer evolves alongside me. My journey began in the shadows of the silver screen, where silent masters like Georges Méliès, Fritz Lang, and the German Expressionists whispered their secrets to me. Their stark contrasts, labyrinthine narratives, and evocative symbolism shaped my initial artistic voice. I was captivated by the depth of introspection they offered - windows into fractured psyches, tales brimming with allegory, and visuals that seemed to breathe emotion into the void.
At the time, I was an illustrator - a purist of black and white. My tools were modest: an array of Bic pens that, with every stroke, unveiled raw, visceral images. These monochromatic creations were unapologetically crude, yet they held a haunting elegance, embodying my fascination with inner turmoil and the raw edges of human experience. But like any journey, mine was destined to change. Over time, the rigid dichotomies of black and white gave way to a kaleidoscope of color. My art transformed, shedding its introspective weight for something lighter - or so it seems at first glance. I delved into the realm of pop art, a sphere that is often dismissed as superficial or frivolous. Yet for me, this evolution was not a departure from depth but an exploration of a new kind of complexity.
Today, my art functions like a cerebral architect. It constructs bridges within the viewer's mind - anatomical pathways forged between hemispheres. Each piece is a synaptic spark, connecting the right brain's intuitive grasp of imagery with the left brain's linguistic playfulness. The image you see, often saturated in color and layered with playful puns, is more than just a visual or verbal pun; it’s an exercise in rewiring thought patterns.
Take, for example, my works such as Sbooby, Trainspoppins, or Kamasushi. On the surface, they appear as trivial wordplays, colorful and whimsical. But their simplicity belies their true power: they linger. They implant themselves in the mind, creating an itch that cannot be scratched. The brain grapples with the duality - the visual and the linguistic - struggling to return to the original reference without first traversing my reinterpretation. This friction, this cognitive pause, is where my art lives. I am no longer consumed by debates on artistic legitimacy or philosophical depth. My focus has shifted from the museum's ivory towers to the synapses of my audience. My images may not immediately elicit a profound ‘you unlocked something inside me’ moment. But anatomically, undeniably, they do unlock something. My art is a worm that burrows into the mind, not as a parasite, but as a quiet instigator of thought - a seed for something new.
This journey, from the chiaroscuro of silent cinema to the technicolor playground of pop, reflects my understanding of art as a living organism. It grows, it mutates, and it adapts - just as I do. What inspires me, then, is this evolution: the endless interplay of light and shadow, simplicity and complexity, the individual and the universal. My art is not the end but the means, a conversation that begins with me but finds its home in the minds of others.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The themes I pursue revolve around the intersection of pop culture, wordplay, and subversion. My work often references artists, writers, films, brands, video games, and famous personalities, but always through a lens of irreverence and satire. By leveraging sharp wordplay and blending words into crisis, I create connections between the part of the brain that processes language and the part that interprets visuals. This dual engagement produces an immediate and impactful experience, ensuring that my images are thought-provoking and unforgettable.
Underlying every piece is a deliberate challenge to conventions. I seek to transform familiar icons and ideas into something unexpected - both in form and meaning. Whether I’m turning household brands into playful critiques, reimagining classic characters in absurd situations, or merging disparate concepts into a seamless hybrid, my aim is to provoke thought and spark new interpretations. Each work encapsulates layers of meaning, built on witty observations and nuanced cultural references. They are not just visual puns; they are carefully crafted statements that explore identity, nostalgia, consumerism, and the absurdity of human experience. The themes may vary - ranging from existential humor to biting social commentary - but the core message remains consistent: creativity thrives on the unexpected, and no idea or concept is too sacred to be reimagined. Ultimately, my goal is to create art that is more than aesthetically engaging; it’s art that invites viewers to pause, think, and connect the dots in ways that feel entirely personal and unique to them.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as a synthesis of wit, cultural critique, and visual innovation, where art, design, and philosophy converge. It is a deliberate exercise in creating connections - between language and imagery, between the familiar and the unexpected, and between the mundane and the extraordinary.
At its core, my work is a celebration of intellectual playfulness. Each piece begins with a concept rooted in sharp wordplay or a crisis- a linguistic and creative act of fusing words to form something new, yet instantly familiar. This approach is not merely a stylistic choice but a philosophical one: it reflects my belief in the power of juxtaposition to generate meaning. By creating a mental bridge between disparate elements, I aim to engage both hemispheres of the viewer's brain - the analytical and the imaginative. It’s not just art; it’s a cognitive puzzle that rewards attention and curiosity.
Thematically, my work traverses the vast landscape of pop culture, drawing inspiration from artists, writers, filmmakers, brands, video games, and iconic personalities. However, I approach these subjects with a dissident spirit, deconstructing their established narratives and reassembling them in unexpected, often subversive ways. This irreverence is not born of cynicism but of a deep understanding of and affection for the cultural lexicon. It is my way of questioning the boundaries of originality and authorship in a world saturated with references.
Visually, my designs are minimalistic yet rich in symbolism. They rely on a meticulous balance of aesthetics and content. Each object, font, and color is chosen with precision, ensuring that the final piece is not only striking but also meaningful. The objects I create often act as totems of their own ideas - abstract yet immediately recognizable. This interplay between abstraction and recognition mirrors the process of decoding a pun or a metaphor, making my work resonate on multiple levels.
Philosophically, my work grapples with the idea of duality. It exists at the intersection of high and low culture, art and commerce, humor and profundity. By turning something as ephemeral as a pun into a tangible 3D render, I blur the lines between intellectual engagement and entertainment. There’s an inherent absurdity in taking something playful so seriously, but that absurdity is precisely the point - it is a reflection of the contradictions in contemporary culture. In a broader sense, my work is a commentary on the act of creation itself. It challenges the viewer to reconsider the familiar, to question the arbitrary hierarchies of meaning we impose on images and words, and to find beauty in the unexpected. It is art that invites conversation, not through grand gestures or overt messages, but through subtle provocations that linger in the mind long after the first glance.
Ultimately, I would describe my work as an ongoing dialogue between myself and the world - a dialogue filled with humor, critique, and a relentless pursuit of originality. It is art that refuses to be passive, demanding that the viewer engage, interpret, and, above all, think.”
Which artists influence you most?
“The artists who influence me the most are those who embody a sense of daring, intellectual rigor, and an ability to disrupt the status quo while crafting work that is deeply resonant. My influences span across disciplines - art, design, literature, film, and even marketing - drawing from a rich tapestry of creative thinkers who challenge conventions and invite their audiences to see the world through a new lens.
In the visual arts, René Magritte is a profound influence. His ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary through surreal juxtapositions mirrors my own approach to combining familiar cultural elements into unexpected and thought-provoking compositions. His work invites viewers to question reality and perception, much like my own projects aim to blur the line between humor and profundity, between playfulness and intellectual engagement.
Marcel Duchamp is another figure whose legacy looms large in my creative ethos. His use of ready-mades and his defiance of traditional artistic hierarchies resonate with my approach to subverting pop culture symbols. Duchamp’s work teaches us that context, concept, and wit can transform even the most mundane object into a profound statement - a philosophy that underpins my process.
In the realm of design, I find inspiration in the Swiss typographer Josef Müller-Brockmann and the minimalist principles of Dieter Rams. Their precision, clarity, and focus on functionality align with my desire to create clean, aesthetically striking visuals that remain content-rich. While my work often leans into the playful, these influences remind me to ground my concepts in design principles that are timeless and accessible. The pop art movement, especially Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, deeply influences my engagement with consumer culture and branding. Warhol’s exploration of mass production and celebrity culture parallels my own critique of commercial imagery, while Lichtenstein’s comic-book-inspired aesthetics inspire my ability to combine bold visuals with deeper cultural commentary. Literature also plays a key role in shaping my creative vision.
Writers like Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino, with their fascination for labyrinthine narratives and layered meanings, influence how I approach the concept of storytelling in my work. Similarly, their playful use of language echoes my focus on wordplay and crasis to craft visual ideas that are as much linguistic as they are artistic. In contemporary culture, figures like Banksy inspire my sense of irreverence and cultural critique. Banksy’s ability to combine humor, subversion, and a sharp critique of societal norms aligns closely with my intent to create works that both entertain and provoke thought. At the same time, the meticulous, immersive worlds created by filmmakers like Wes Anderson and Stanley Kubrick remind me of the importance of visual storytelling and atmosphere in making a concept resonate deeply.
Finally, I draw immense inspiration from the great contemporary Italian designers and graphic designers, who embody a mastery of craft paired with an instinct for innovation. Figures like Massimo Vignelli (whose modernist legacy still shapes Italian design) and emerging voices in the industry remind me of the importance of precision and the ability to merge tradition with forward-thinking aesthetics. What unites all these influences is their commitment to breaking boundaries, their fearless experimentation, and their insistence on engaging the audience intellectually and emotionally. Whether through subversion, craftsmanship, or storytelling, these figures remind me that great art is not just about what is created but about how it transforms the way people think and feel.”
“The themes I pursue revolve around the intersection of pop culture, wordplay, and subversion. My work often references artists, writers, films, brands, video games, and famous personalities, but always through a lens of irreverence and satire.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is deeply intertwined with the way my mind operates, a way of thinking that feels as much a gift as it does a force of nature. For as long as I can remember, my mind has been an endless generator of associations - words, ideas, and images all colliding in a kind of mental kaleidoscope. This isn’t something I turn on or off; it simply ‘is.’ I suspect it might stem from a neurological wiring that aligns with ADHD or perhaps somewhere on the spectrum of autism - traits that, far from being obstacles, have become the driving forces behind my creativity.
When I hear a word or phrase, my brain immediately begins to dissect it, almost involuntarily. I don’t just hear the word; I ‘see’ it. Its shape, its texture, its potential. Words split apart in my mind, revealing hidden layers and unexpected connections, and these connections spark vivid mental images. For instance, a single phrase can conjure an entire visual tableau, complete with lighting, color palettes, and even a sense of mood or narrative. It’s as if the act of thinking itself creates a mental cinema where ideas are constantly being born, shaped, and refined.
This process is both instantaneous and layered. Sometimes the associations are obvious - playing with homonyms or blending two ideas into a visual pun - but other times, they’re more abstract, unfolding slowly as I allow the image to take shape. It’s not uncommon for me to fixate on a single phrase for hours, or even days, turning it over in my mind like a puzzle piece, waiting for it to click into a larger conceptual framework. There’s an element of compulsion in this, a need to make sense of the connections my brain creates. But rather than trying to suppress or control it, I’ve embraced this as the foundation of my creative practice. What some might see as chaotic or unfocused is, for me, a form of intuitive problem-solving. My work is essentially about giving form to these mental associations - taking what exists in the abstract and bringing it into the physical, visual world.
The process is deeply rooted in wordplay, a fascination with language that borders on obsession. I have always been drawn to the idea of ‘crisis’ - blending two words to create something entirely new, something that feels fluid and natural but is also brimming with layered meanings. This obsession with language extends into the visual realm, where I approach each project as a way to visually articulate the linguistic ideas that my mind conjures.
For example, when I created the title ‘Cubrain,’ it wasn’t just about combining the words ‘cube’ and ‘brain.’ It was about capturing an entire concept - the idea of the mind as a puzzle, a Rubik’s Cube that shifts and changes with every thought or emotion. Similarly, my creative works often begin with these kinds of linguistic sparks, which then evolve into complex visual narratives. My process is highly introspective but also collaborative in a strange way - I am constantly in dialogue with my own thoughts. I often sketch or write to keep up with the rapid flow of ideas, though the initial inspiration almost always comes from within. The act of creating isn’t about imposing order on chaos but rather about embracing the natural, organic flow of ideas and trusting my intuition to lead me toward the most resonant and impactful outcomes. In many ways, my work is an attempt to share the way I see the world - a world where words and images are not separate but deeply intertwined. Each project becomes a window into this mental landscape, a way of inviting others to experience the strange and wonderful connections that my mind makes on a daily basis.
This approach reflects not only my creative ethos but also a deep understanding of how my own mind works. What might be perceived as a neurological quirk or divergence has become a wellspring of inspiration, a reminder that creativity often flourishes at the edges of convention. My process is less about control and more about curiosity - following the threads of thought wherever they lead and trusting that they’ll take me somewhere worth exploring.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s role in society has always been that of a translator, a seer, and a provocateur. Artists distill the chaos of existence into forms that allow others to feel, think, and connect in ways that transcend the limitations of language. At its core, art is an act of communication - a bridge between the inner worlds of individuals and the shared cultural experience of humanity. In that sense, an artist is both a mirror and a window: a mirror that reflects the zeitgeist, revealing truths about the world as it is, and a window that offers glimpses of new possibilities, reshaping the way we imagine what the world ‘could’ be.
Historically, artists have been tasked with interpreting the sacred, documenting the historical, and expressing the emotional. From the cave paintings of Lascaux to the installations of contemporary biennials, art has always served as a record of human existence - an emotional archaeology, if you will. But the artist’s role has never been static; it has evolved with society, shaped by the ever-shifting dynamics of culture, technology, and politics.
Today, I believe the artist’s role is more crucial and multifaceted than ever. We live in an era of information overload, where the sheer volume of data, images, and ideas threatens to overwhelm our capacity for meaning. In this context, the artist becomes a curator of experience, someone who cuts through the noise to create works that resonate on a deeper, more human level. Art provides the pause, the stillness, and the clarity that modern life so often lacks.
More importantly, artists have a unique ability to challenge societal norms and question dominant narratives. In a world increasingly driven by algorithms, where commercial and political interests shape much of what we see and consume, the artist stands as a counterpoint. They remind us of the importance of nuance, ambiguity, and subjectivity. They provoke us to ask difficult questions and, perhaps more importantly, to sit with those questions without rushing toward easy answers.
Personally, I see art as a form of disruption - not necessarily in a confrontational sense, but as a means of breaking patterns. Art disrupts our habits of seeing and thinking, allowing us to view the familiar through fresh eyes. It’s a way of shaking us out of complacency, of making the invisible visible. Whether it’s through a meticulously designed 3D render or a conceptual installation, the artist’s role is to ignite curiosity, empathy, and dialogue. Looking to the future, I see the artist’s role continuing to evolve in parallel with technological advancements and societal changes. The rise of digital tools and platforms has already expanded the scope of what art can be, blurring the boundaries between disciplines and democratizing access to creative expression. However, this also comes with challenges: as technology becomes increasingly capable of mimicking artistic processes, the question of what makes art ‘human’ becomes more pressing. In this evolving landscape, I believe the artist’s role will shift toward emphasizing the uniquely human qualities that machines cannot replicate: vulnerability, intuition, and a deep sense of connection to the natural and emotional world. While AI might be able to generate an image or compose a melody, it cannot imbue those creations with lived experience, cultural context, or a genuine sense of intent. The artist’s role will be to reclaim these spaces of authenticity and to use technology as a tool rather than a replacement for the creative process.
Moreover, I believe the artist will play an increasingly collaborative role in society, working across disciplines to address complex global challenges. As we face issues like climate change, social inequality, and the rapid pace of technological change, artists have the potential to serve as visionaries - crafting narratives, designing solutions, and fostering empathy in ways that traditional fields cannot.
In essence, the artist’s role is, and always has been, to explore what it means to be human. In an age where humanity itself feels increasingly fragmented and uncertain, this role becomes not only relevant but essential. The artist reminds us that even in the face of complexity and chaos, there is beauty, meaning, and the possibility of transformation. And as society continues to evolve, so too will the artist’s role, adapting to new realities while remaining rooted in the timeless act of creation.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“In the early years of my artistic journey, while I was still at university, I had the privilege of participating in numerous exhibitions around the world. Those were exhilarating times - immersed in the energy of the art community, meeting like-minded individuals, and witnessing the diverse ways in which artists express their visions. Exhibiting my work in galleries and creative spaces was not only a way to share my passion with others but also an essential part of my artistic growth. It was a time of exploration, of understanding where I fit within a larger creative ecosystem, and seeing firsthand the immense diversity of ideas, techniques, and philosophies that define the art world.
However, as time passed, I began to distance myself from the conventional art scene. I began to see the art world not as a vibrant collective of creators, but as a space tainted by competition, egos, and superficial displays of talent. I saw artists engaging in the kind of self-promotion that, to me, felt more about presenting a façade than about creating something meaningful. The culture of ‘peacocking,’ where artists paraded their work as a way to assert dominance over their peers, was never something I resonated with. I have always believed in being confident in my craft, but also in remaining humble. The need to compete at all costs, to win in a way that validates your worth over others, felt foreign to me. It wasn’t a way of working that aligned with my natural disposition, nor with my desire to create art that speaks from a place of authenticity rather than a need for external approval.
In recent years, however, my perspective has started to shift. I see the art world evolving, and I find myself slowly reintegrating into it. The rise of collaborative platforms and the growing sense of mutual respect among artists has rekindled my interest. I see a new generation of artists who, rather than competing, are embracing the potential for collaboration, for creating something together that speaks louder than any solitary achievement. This spirit of unity, rather than division, is the kind of environment I once thrived in during my university years. It is this renewed sense of community that is now drawing me back into the fold of art exhibitions and collaborative projects. It’s not about outshining others or ‘winning’ accolades anymore - it's about coming together to create, to experiment, and to push the boundaries of what art can be.
While I no longer seek the limelight in the same way, I do find great value in participating in exhibitions that foster this spirit of collaboration, creativity, and shared exploration. It is a return to the roots of what originally drew me to the art world in the first place: the joy of creating with others, of building something meaningful together.”
