“Alchimie nel Vuoto” by Elena Salmistraro: art born from emotions

15 November 2024

Elena Salmistraro is a designer with a strong creative profile, her furnishings and accessories are recognizable for their chromatic research but also for their often organic, anthropomorphic and playful shapes. And starting from this more artistic side of hers and devoted to free imagination, the Antonio Colombo Arte Contemporanea gallery in Milan hosts her first solo exhibition entitled “Alchimie del vuoto” from November 28 to February 8, curated by Silvana Annicchiarico. A precious opportunity to investigate the artist and designer’s imagination from which her collections of furnishings and accessories are also born.

Who are the creatures you draw and what do they represent for you?

I have always been reluctant to share what I consider my most personal drawings, those that I make outside of my work, because they carry with them a deep meaning and a value that goes beyond simple form. For me, drawing represents a form of therapy, a way to push away anxiety and fears; it is a stratagem that I have cultivated since childhood and that has always supported me on my path. When Colombo proposed that I exhibit my works, it took me a while to accept. However, thanks to the critical eye of Silvana Annicchiarico, who was able to masterfully recompose my creative universe, we decided to give voice to my monsters and my fears, which come to life and, in some cases, take shape by transforming into objects, vases, carpets and sculptures.

In addition to being the protagonists of the exhibition, these creatures enter homes in the form of objects and furnishings that you design. What life do you imagine for them and what kind of interaction with those who live in the house?

The collection mainly includes paintings and prints, along with two totems, a sculpture, some vases and a tapestry carpet. These objects are not intended to perform a specific function but focus exclusively on the decorative aspect. As I said before, even the objects beyond the paintings are conceived as works of art, completely dedicated to the emotional and empathic dimension. So whoever chooses to buy them will do so because in those works they will find a part of themselves, and I hope they can establish a unique bond of affection, contemplation, sympathy, friendship and why not, company.

Colors are a constituent element of your creations, both artistic and product, how do you choose them and put them together?

It is true that colors represent a fundamental element for my work. To create these paintings, for example, I carefully catalogued and numbered all the shades, because I am usually not satisfied with what I find. I am very fascinated by mixing the different shades, and even if it is a meticulous and demanding activity, it is extremely rewarding. For me, colors embody vital energy and emotions, they are unique and have the power to influence our state of mind. It is not just a stylistic choice, but a profound expression that I have managed to transfer into my products. In the past years, unfortunately, design has preferred the absence of color, opting for monochromatic choices that in my opinion often lack identity.

How do you achieve the balance between the artistic dimension and the more concrete one of industrial design?

It is a question that I ask myself every day, because I enjoy working on the border between different disciplines, whether it is art, fashion, graphics or scenography. Consequently, the theme of balance is a constant in my work. In my opinion, it is essential to know how to balance the weights on the scale with precision, trying to best understand both our client and the end user. Each project, painting or installation is like a recipe composed of multiple ingredients, and it is up to us designers to find the right doses to create perfect harmony.

The portraits of Elena Salmistraro are by Beppe Brancato.

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