Jasmine Morandini

In our view, talking about perennial topicality means talking about our perception of time, history, and human interactions. As we considered this project a collective debate, we’d like to hear more about your ideas as well. What is your perception of perennial topicality? And which element of this idea do you think that the artwork that you presented wants to portray?

With ‘perennial topicality’ I inevitably think of something in continuous change and movement, something cyclical, as can be the life of natural elements that are born, grow and die to then be born again. The thought of cyclicity can be found in my work, where the life process of flowers is illustrated: an ephemeral element par excellence.

We are all the sum of our experiences, which shape our personality and perception. How did your personal history affect the creation of your artworks and in what way did you bring it into your project? 

I have always been fascinated by nature for its colors, landscapes, and the beauty it can offer us. I believe that my love for it has been influenced by the fact that I have been a scout since I was 8 years old and this has always led me to live in close contact with the natural world and to have respect for it.

Due to the centrality of technology as well as the redefinition of our personal space, in these pandemic times the intimacy and the lack of it are now not only lived but conceived differently. How would you describe your perception of intimacy, relationships, and connection today?

I think nowadays most intimacy is mediated by technology: we no longer have relationships that don’t use, for example, social media to stay in touch. I think this isn’t necessarily a bad thing because it allows us to be able to hear from those who are far away. Just don’t abuse it!

What do you expect from the audience’s experience after viewing your work in this digital environment? How do you think that our endless consumption of digital contents is affecting the production and the fruition of artworks? Do you think the virtual exhibition experience will continue to be a possible tool for presenting your research?

I imagine that at first glance the audience doesn’t understand what is happening: the way my work mutates. Once he realizes, I think he might be surprised.  I will always remain of the idea that to enjoy certain works of art there needs to be physical fruition, I am talking about works such as paintings, sculptures, and some installations. I don’t think that enjoying the elements of a museum through a virtual visit is the same as being on-site. Virtual exhibitions work and will continue to work only if they are conceived only as such and not to ‘reproduce’ something that already exists.