Satellite Voices

Rome

Community: Scarful

March 23, 2011

A local spotlight on the veteran Italian symbolist artist Alessandro Maida

• Text by Flavia Ferrucci

Alessandro Maida aka Scarful was born in 1968 and is a Rome-based artist and graphic designer. In the nineties he started working as a graphic artist and gave birth with other Roman writers and artists, the Hateful Graphic Vandals collective. Along with artits Joe, Nico, Pane and Stand he's also part of the WhyStyle collective, participating at events and exhibitions since 2002. He's done artworks for acclaimed bands like Zu, Ardecore, Bud Spencer Blues Explosion and is also working as an art director for various communication agencies in Italy.

Satellite Voices: What makes you smile?
Alessandro Maida: My 3-year-old son, Leonardo Rodan.

SV: What was the first thing you ever made?
Alessandro Maida: I joined the artistic collective WhyStyle in 2002, through a group of friends, and I was involved in a performance at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni for the Roma Europa Festival. Earlier than that my works were strictly linked to the Roman underground scene.

SV: What’s your dream project?
Alessandro Maida: Buying a studio-house with my partner, Elisabetta.

SV: What do you wish you had written / created?
Alessandro Maida: I would've loved to join and contribute to cultural movements like the Bauhaus and the Dadaism.

SV: Who’s work / art / music would you recommend on checking out?
Alessandro Maida: I enjoy lots of contemporary art, from Neo Rauch to Francis Bacon, Gino de Dominicis, Arcangelo Sassolino and many others. As for music I'd suggest Leviathan, Corrupted, Swans, SunnO))), Khanate, Gnaw, Throbbing Gristle, Coil, Zu, Neurot records, Arvo Part, John Tavener, Current93, Scott Walker, Nick Cave, Guapo... and many others, the list could go on forever.

SV: How do you describe your work?
Alessandro Maida: Visceral, often it's a way to relief my feelings, it's definitely better to paint rather than to punch someone. My best works come from my neurosis. I generally look around me, the natural events, the environment that surrounds me is a constant source of inspiration.