PERCEIVING IN A REALM BEYOND TIME WITH ARIANA PAPADEMETROPOULOS

INTERVIEW BY LEONE SOLIA & VARIANTINO
Images by Simon 171
Ariana Papademetropoulos is a Los Angeles-based artist known for her surreal, dreamlike paintings filled with unique inscrutable magical symbology. For her solo exhibition “Ringin Saturn” at Massimo De Carlo gallery in Milan, we asked her about psychic-mediums, symbology and her masters.

 

Hi Ariana! How did this relationship come about with Massimo De Carlo, and what attracted you to the opportunity of exhibiting in Milan? Is this your first exhibition in Italy? What does this country represent for you, both culturally and artistically? Are there any Italian influences in your work, perhaps tied to the tradition of the masters?

I was drawn to Italy, as many are, by its overwhelming beauty and history. My painting practice found new dimensions in Rome, where I began to explore light and luminescence in ways I had never done before. My introduction to the gallery came through Arturo Galansino; we had numerous projects we envisioned together, and Massimo de Carlo in Milan seemed the ideal venue for our collaboration. I have long admired Piero Portoluppi’s architectural work, often using elements of his interiors in my paintings- so the space served as an excellent reference point for creating a body of work. Working alongside Arturo Galansino with the talented team at Massimo de Carlo, felt like the perfect foundation for my inaugural exhibition in Italy.

 

Your work has a strong connection to the culture of California, blending esotericism with dreamy imagery. How much of Los Angeles is reflected in the way you create?

I was born in LA, and I am a product of it. The lines of reality and fiction are blurred for me as a result of my roots in Los Angeles. I don’t think that its something that will ever go away- this essence will continue to permeate throughout the work.

 

 

“Ringing Saturn” explores the concept of mediumship and painting as a portal to other worlds. How did this idea come about, and how did the dialogue with Wendy, the medium who inspired you, develop? How has your relationship with Wendy evolved? Do you have an “exclusive” relationship with her, or do you work with other mediums as well?

Wendy is the only Psychic I have a relationship with, and certainly the only one I’ve experienced to that enter my painting field. Because Wendy is an artist herself, I believe she has a sensitivity to seeing artists worlds. During our readings, she would begin to describe the work that I was thinking about- and I found this fascinating. Wendy’s interest in quantum theory influences her perspective; she describes my work as if it already exists, perceiving it in a realm beyond time, in what she calls “no time”. You and I exist in the linear world, but she can see into a world without time, a world where the work I envisioned is already materialized. I believe this collaboration could serve as evidence of the unseen world.

 

You often talk about “re-enchanting” the world, at a time when technology has almost stripped any mystery from our reality. Is the essence of this “enchantment” inherently depending on a mystery, or can it be unveiled without breaking it?

I believe this show aims to emphasize that there exists a realm beyond our visual experience. As a culture, we have become increasingly reliant on the visual world as our primary source of truth, overlooking the many senses we have yet to fully engage. As beings with our own unique umwelt, we each perceive the world differently. I believe that the world is a magical and mysterious place, and I hope that the work can share that sentiment with others.

 

 

In your works, we often see female figures suspended between reality and dream, accompanied by strong symbolism. What do elements like the shell, the snail, the flower, and water mean to you?

These are symbols I have naturally gravitated towards. Rather than ignoring my inclination towards the universal images that intrigue me, I’ve embraced them. Sometimes I believe that if an artwork wants to be born, it haunts you. Art acts as an exorcism, something that needs to be released. In the case of the shell, no matter how many I create, I want to create more. It is a relentless obsession.

 

We know you have Greek and Argentine roots. Does your cultural background influence the strong symbolism in your work?

Yes, I would like to work in Greece in the future. I’m not interested in Athens having a resurgence, rather I’m interested in the opposite- what’s very ancient.  I’m intrigued by the Eleusinian Mysteries of Ancient Greece, and in Goddess Cults that have been scarcely researched. I believe one of my next projects will delve into this subject.

 

Leone Solia, from Milan, is a young dynamic artist known for his innovative approach to collage, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes. While primarily focused on visual arts, Leone harbors a deep passion for journalism, using the medium to explore and express his artistic vision. His work often reflects a unique perspective on societal issues, demonstrating a commitment to both creativity and critical discourse.