Adriana Napolitano is a paper artist, which means that in what many consider a simple piece of paper she sees a thousand creative possibilities. Thanks to her ability, impeccable technique and passion, today Ariana creates sets, objects and installations in paper. 

Her latest work will be made to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Melissa, a Brazilian brand of shoes and accessories made of Melflex perfumed plastic, during Casa Melissa and will be visible from Friday 25th October to Sunday 27th October. 

For the occasion we at Collater.al interviewed her and in addition to making us anticipate something about the installation at Casa Melissa, we let her tell us a few gems about her work and about herself. 

Tell us about yourself, what is your background and what was the path that led you to what you do today.

My path was quite winding, I took a few nice turns on myself before I found my way. I studied Oriental languages, then moved on to Humanities Faculty, and to a School of Cinema in Cinecittà. At a certain point, almost by chance, I started working on some stop motion animation projects, working with other colleagues on the creation of miniature props and sets. It was at that juncture that I finally fell in love with the craftsmanship, miniatures and getting my hands dirty. I finally made myself clear and began to devote myself to what I really loved. 

“I fell in love with the craftsmanship, miniatures and getting my hands dirty”

For Melissa’s 40th birthday you have created an installation, visible from 25 to 27 October at Casa Melissa. Can you give us a preview?

We decided together to create a completely recyclable vertical garden, in line with the theme proposed by Casa Melissa. In my imagination, leaves and flowers are a recurring element, very dear to me. They are vital energy, rebirth, beauty, and therefore a good proposal/wish for the future. 

Your installation for Casa Melissa is made of recycled and recyclable paper. Perfectly aligned with what’s happening in the world, from Fridays For Future to the increased awareness that we have of the impact of man on the environment, artists are paying more and more attention to the choice of materials. Do you think this represents a further limit or stimulus to creativity?

It is important to make it a further stimulus and not a limitation. As far as I’m concerned, working with paper has often put me in front of ethical doubts. What I have learned to do over the years is to prefer recycled material when possible, limit waste, always find a way to reuse the excess material. In my opinion, all this leads to a more conscious and profound use of the material used, something that is fundamental for an artist.

“Working with paper has often put me in front of ethical doubts”

Describe your creative process. What do you start with to create your artworks and how do you develop them from a practical point of view? 

This is always a difficult question ehehehe. First of all, there is a distinction to be made between the works that are commissioned from me and those that are a bit more personal. In the first case, generally, there is a planning phase in which I and the client find the best solution that reflects (and respects) the intentions of the project. In personal works, this phase is more like an intense struggle between me and my diary, made of indecipherable notes, inspirations among the most disparate and somewhat ugly drawings. In both cases, then, begins the practical implementation, always a bit ‘tiring at first, but as soon as everything begins to take shape, all ideas begin to work, begins the phase that I love most of all. 

When you started working with paper, would you ever have imagined all the interest that arose in this artistic form and in your works? 

Not really! What I want to say is that working with paper I discovered a world of incredible paper artists, I was mesmerized by their achievements and I saw the growing interest in this art form. What I hadn’t imagined was the interest in my work eheheh. 

What are your future projects? 

I will certainly continue my photographic journey, which is the result of the marriage between photography and the creation of props and sets.
Moreover, I’m working on a sculptural project – as chance would have it, it involves both flowers and recycling – which aims to tell some aspects of emotionality and human relationships. I wonder if he will succeed. If you like, I’ll talk to you about it as soon as the first pieces see the light of day.