Stone Inside #1: An interview with Massimo Catalani

Massimo Catalani was born in 1960 in Rome, where he still lives and works.

He graduated in Architecture in 1988 with a thesis project in which he started experimenting painting mixtures on the border between plasticity and architectural stonework.

Since the first collective exhibitions, he has been searching for a language that could be shared by both the art and the general public, a language that plays with reverent representations and irreverent subjects such as roman baby artichokes, pasta with courgettes and triptychs of  chillies.

His first solo exhibition in Rome was such a success that a series of exhibitions rapidly followed, at first all over Italy and then abroad. During the last five years, in recognition of his work, several exhibitions have been organised in all the major European cities as well as in Russia, Korea, Japan and in the USA.

His recent works: a 20 tonnes sculpture, a 3 minutes short film, a 180 cm painting.

It’s an all-round artist with clearly defined ideas and whose cultural authority has been recognized worldwide the gentleman who kindly granted us an interview.

An enquiring look in his eyes that gaze beyond the horizon of the world and architecture. A comprehensive conversation on art, on the social role of architecture, on being an architect and on the importance of natural stone.

• What are the main needs that architecture should respond to nowadays?

One, in particular: to find the courage to become an Art again and go back to being able to plan cities rather than dormitory suburbs, more or less functional and more or less suitable for both the rich and the poor.

• What are the inspiring principles that guide you during the planning process?

Awareness, honesty, sustainability and a long-term outlook.

• How do you find the right people when selecting partners for your artworks?

It takes intelligence and passion. The best partners are those who have got eyes to see, those you don’t need to ask much to because they already know.

• You are famous for your passion for natural stone. Is there any specific reason behind this choice?

I have been painting with marble powder for 25 years, I invented this technique myself. The reason is the result of an interesting confluence between the world of architecture and the restoration one.

• Can an ancient material like natural stone become a synonym for innovation?

I am constantly experimenting in this field; so much so that, if I find the right marble quarry, I already have an idea for an original event…

• How important is it to you to find ecosustainable solutions? Can using natural stone be helpful?

Very much so. Just consider that I am currently working on Tuscan marble sculptures which will be placed on the Tuscan sea bed to protect the environment… (this is the project called “La Casa dei Pesci”, watch the video below)

• In your opinion, what is the role of the architect in our society?

A pariah: his role has completely deteriorated. The architect himself is not aware anymore of being an artist. He is content with being a technician in a field where real technicians outclass him. Architects do not have conscious clients nowadays and therefore they need to get out of the shallows they ended up in: destroyed environments, compromised landscapes, a corrupted system.

• This is also a criticism for those who would like to “industrialize” the domestic well-being with interior design, isn’t it?

It is, indeed. The domestic well-being has an individual, literary beauty that does not go well together with the aesthetics of industrial products.

• Tell us about the experiences abroad that you enjoyed the most.

I enjoyed working in every country where the artist’s role is still held in high regard: more or less everywhere but in Italy. The Italians keep boasting about how “the architect did everything I suggested”. Things are very different in Russia, Japan, Korea, Great Britain and in the USA.

• What would your advice for a new graduate or a young colleague be?

I would suggest them to keep studying and make as many experiences as possible. An architect needs to be a well educated and open minded person, he needs to travel and know new places, he needs to experience all the arts to eventually come back to his original one full of new ideas.

• How important is the web for you in terms of personal branding?

It is very important indeed; especially to learn English and then go back to speaking Italian.

With this nice joke on the typical Italian habit of anglicizing words, Massimo Catalani says goodbye to us. We thank him for his time and we invite you to visit his website www.massimocatalani