CLAUDIO TRIASSI
COLLAGE SERIES
Claudio is an Architect from Sicily with an amazing hand for illustrations. The visual minimalism of his images, speak of more than ‘just’ Architecture. He combines critical thinking and monochromatic illustrations to convey his ideas.
For this interview, Claudio will be talking about his illustrations, theories, techniques and more.
Claudio, in a few words, tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.
I am an architect, I come from Sicily and I work in South Tyrol. Over the years, I had the opportunity to study and work in different countries. These experiences led me immediately to adopt a more speculative, reflective, almost maieutic approach based on the comparison of different design cultures.
Since then I have always sought a theoretical, critical, systematic and ideal approach to architecture rather than an empirical approach linked to image, experience and empathy.
What is your background? When did you start combining Illustration and Architecture?
In 2016 I started writing critical texts about architecture when I felt the need for accompanying my thought with illustrations. Since then I have not stopped making illustrations believing that writing, drawing and designing are all part of the same working process.
You describe your work as having a connection to past ideas and forms. What are some of these ideas and how do you combine them with contemporary ones? What are some of the things we can learn from the past that could have some validity nowadays?
My work is very attracted to the past in a nostalgic way. I always look for those great ideas behind exemplary forms of architecture. I am fascinated by the thought that you can design from an architectural theory or a manifesto. In the past, there were very clear political positions on how to make architecture. Great modernist plans for cities, the idea of the future of the 60s or the rediscovery of history during postmodernism are just some examples.
Today these positions have lost strength, as has critical thinking. In the past we could imagine a great future, now this seems more difficult. Our ideas for the future are almost similar to those of decades ago.
Today we live in a condition of eternal presentism. My drawings aim to highlight the imaginative power and strength of past great ideas and forms to reflect on the importance of a speculative design approach.
So my illustrations offer an anachronistic spatial and temporal dimension yet questioning their validity nowadays. As a result of it, buildings representing past ideas in my drawings are in ruins sometimes.
“Our ideas for the future are similar to those of decades ago.”
Your artwork shows elements of Architecture, in combination with a surreal style; it is as if your images have a unique sense of gravity, or the lack of it. Where do you seek inspiration to create these images?
When I draw, I look for an image that reminds me of great utopian ideas or great dystopias. I think that the elimination of any reference to scale and gravity makes the image more surreal and closer to an imaginary world and an unexpected future.
Your series of sketches are primarily in black and white. What does the absence of color represent to you?
The absence of color allows me to adopt an approach that is more speculative than empirical.
Could you show us / talk about the process to create one of your images? What tools do you use? Do you experiment with different materials and methods?
I usually start collecting some references in a very rough sketch. Then I split and reassemble different buildings, objects and paintings using the collage technique in Photoshop or Rhinoceros. When I find the right composition I start to redesign the project on Photoshop with different brushes and hatches.
What advice has influenced you as an artist? What advice would you give to young artists?
Young artists should find a way to express themselves. Critical thinking is a tool that helps me create my work.
“YOUNG ARTISTS SHOULD FIND A WAY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES”
Claudio, thank you for taking the time to interview with Arch-Vizz and talk about your ideas and illustrations.
You can find more about Claudio's work on his instagram @claudio.triassi.
Interview & Images Courtesy: Claudio Triassi
Interviewer: Stefani Fachini