Curated by Silvana Annicchiarico, this exhibition is a captivating journey blending design, art, and material experimentation, transforming emptiness into a space for creativity and alchemy. It serves as a reminder and an invitation to explore the hidden possibilities within the void, a complex theme that Elena Salmistraro navigates with unique skill, merging intuition and technique.
“Alchimie del vuoto” sets the stage for a dialogue between opposites, where absence meets presence, and the visible intertwines with the invisible through installations and works that combine design, sculpture, and artistic craftsmanship. Among these is a grand tapestry, created in collaboration with the Chinese carpet brand Tai Ping, the only textile piece in the exhibition. Salmistraro’s works, characterized by a constant balance of form, color, and texture, evoke visionary narratives rooted in the artist’s personal mythology and collective imagination. The exhibition becomes a journey into the subconscious, populated by mythological figures and trompe l’oeil masks, where each piece interacts with and redefines its surrounding space.
In this interview, we explore how Elena integrates art and design, creating objects that tell unique stories and enrich our daily lives. Her creative philosophy is deeply rooted in the desire to communicate and connect through objects that transcend their practical function to carry meaning.
How does drawing influence your art and daily life?
For me, drawing is so natural that it often becomes my mode of expression when words fail. It’s always with me, like a silent friend. Whether I’m on the phone or at a restaurant, I always find myself doodling, drawing inspiration from everything around me. Drawing is an essential part of my life—a primal act that influences not only my art but my entire daily routine. It’s the starting point for all my projects; only later do I transition to digital technologies. For me, drawing is a creative refuge, a liberating and essential experience.
How do you reconcile your work as both a designer and an artist?
Since my university days, I’ve wanted to combine my passion for art with design, initially seeing them as distant fields. My time at the Polytechnic University revealed the allure of serial production, allowing me to merge art with the precision of design. I create objects that tell stories, infusing each piece with layered meanings through patterns and colors. For me, storytelling is crucial: each creation must communicate an intrinsic narrative and express my personal vision.
What do the monsters in your work represent?
The monsters I draw originate from my childhood fears and have become symbols of acceptance and diversity. They represent feeling out of place but also embracing inclusivity and self-irony. Transformed from frightening creatures into comforting friends, these monsters reflect my artistic identity, embodying a world where every difference finds its place and each flaw becomes a distinctive trait.
How does the concept of horror vacui drive your art?
I’ve always felt the need to fill empty spaces, almost to compensate for an inner void. This manifests in my work as rich and complex visual detail, where every element has meaning. Horror vacui becomes a form of therapy, a way to confront my existential fears and needs. My inclination to fill spaces is not just aesthetic but existential, an attempt to give shape to my fears and uncertainties, bringing them to light through forms and colors. I navigate between claustrophobia and agoraphobia, seeking to balance my inner world.
What is the value of objects, in your opinion?
Objects have the power to tell stories and pass through generations, from grandparents to grandchildren. Design makes this storytelling accessible to everyone, being democratic in its essence. I’m thrilled by the idea that through my creations, one can share part of my story with anyone who welcomes them into their homes. Beyond decoration, for me, objects represent connection and emotion; they are like talismans preserving personal memories and stories. This cultural and emotional transmission gives objects an immeasurable value, rooted in sharing and interaction. My objects aim to communicate, weaving traditions and creativity into a visual dance that is as innovative as it is profoundly human.
Photo © Beppe Brancato, Tai Ping
