Daniele Villa
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Art Star No.27. UNTITLED, 2010. Collage and laser print on canvas.
Rome-based Villa shuns Photoshop to produce collage-based works made solely with paper, scissors and glue. Concentrating on small-scale pieces (typically 5cm by 5cm), he creates miniature worlds that often display a surreal sense of humour: faces emerge from trees and the sea merges seamlessly into human organs. Free from the perfecting powers of computer manipulation, Villa's choice of material feels at once random and artfully composed. He is also a founding member of film production company Citrullo International.
Questions & Answers
- " What kind of art do you make?"
I am a collage artist.
- " Where can I see it?"
In some Italian and International galleries, sometimes on magazines as I like to work also in dialogue with a text and, of course, daily on my blog dahville.blogspot.com.
- " How do you feel about Polo Jeans Co.'s ART STARS project?"
An occasion to explore a territory that I probably would have never explored.
- " Describe your finished ART STAR in a sentence?"
I worked on the two sides on two different images of Americana. So I would say: 'a funny invasion and some hungry newcomers'.
- " What did you think when it first arrived at your studio?"
I was scared by the dimension (and the weight) of the box. I use to work on light, small scale collages.
- "You were asked to use the Stars and Stripes for inspiration. How did you incorporate it into your star?"
I think that the Stars and Stripes are too much in our imaginery to give some more inspiration. Moreover here in Europe the American flag has a strong political value, which doesn't interest me so much. I think that I took more of some of its graphical nature, at least for one side of the star.
- " What else inspired you?"
I really don't know. I work mostly instinctively.
- " How did you find working with denim?"
Very strange. It plunged me back in my teens when I had jeans with Iron Maiden or Public Enemy patches.
- " What processes did you use to create your piece?"
I made small collages (about 10X20 cm) of old books photos and engravings and then made larger prints. I think it is a good solution that enhance their printing texture quality.
- " What are you most proud of about the result?"
I'm never proud of the results (this is a lie). I only try to do my best to make something beatiful (this is true).
- " Describe your denim style…"
I don't have one. But I wear almost always jeans - of course they are very comfortable.
- " Who else's star are you most looking forward to seeing and why?"
I long to see them all!
