Serafino Amato – RAP Faculty
What do you do and where are you based?
I’m an artist that works mostly with photography and writing, which in my opinion are two modes that are interchangeable. I live in Rome, I was born here, even though I don’t feel a strong connection. I mean I don’t feel very Roman but neither do I feel I belong elsewhere. I don’t feeel I belong in cities, I merely live here, like many others, but if I can I move outside its boundaries.
What is your background?
My background lies in the area of experimental theater, that’s where I started in the 80’s,
but I’ve always been part of the visual arts, photography in particular.
Tell us a secret about Rome…
It’s difficult to know secrets about a place like Rome, if I knew it’s secrets then maybe I’d be successful and then I’d feel like a real citizen. In this case also I would have to say that I’ve always been attracted by the boundaries of this city, what once was it’s limits. So maybe a secret of this city is I believe in the nature which tries to penetrate into the city, often near the river, the Tiber, which carries with it the strong memory of open spaces and faraway scents and odors.
Is there a difference in working in Rome for an artist?
I can’t precisely say, I’ve never worked elsewhere. I can say that it’s a difficult place, a city that often forgets about who lives in it. Yes, Rome is really not an easy city, not only for artists. A city that maybe because of its long history has a very short memory.
A good source makes all the difference…which is the most important inspirational source you have found in Rome?
For me inspiration doesn’t come from the urban, but in the contrast between the urban and the natural. Almost all my work is born from this meeting and for this reason I’m glad to live in this city which has such ‘weak borders ‘. It’s a capital that leaves room for many in contaminated territories in its vicinity, and places not often visited by romans. So I would say that this is a true quality of Rome, it gives you the liberty to abandon the city, and even for a few hours it’s possible to forget about it.
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Rome Art Program – Art As Power