Federico Solmi

In "Melancholia” an ensemble of contemporary leaders, tech tycoons and influencers are portrayed in a dreamlike Metaverse atmosphere. These figures are costumed in eccentric courtly outfits from a variety of historical references such as the paintings of Velazquez, De Chirico, and Picasso, as well as the silent films of Fritz Lang. Their bodies are free interpretations of the wireframes that constitute their digital skeletons. Using a combination of pastels, gouache, white ink and pen, Solmi gives a material life to their digitally constructed images, manifesting an urge to explore the hidden, mysterious realm that lies underneath the countless images that fill our devices. With "Melancholia ," Solmi interprets the digital archetype that controls our reality in an attempt to capture the poetic world hidden behind the soulless digital renders that populate his video work.