Desecrating and brilliant, workaholic and ironic. Dario Agrimi has made art a profession. Or rather, he has made a name for himself in a world where there is still so much to give. His home is Trani, it is the sea, it is the countryside, it is Puglia. And everything he draws inspiration from for his works is exactly what surrounds him. He sets himself no limits, because to do this work 'you don't have to believe in it, you have to think about it'. Apart from his many works, such as Scatola Nera, what is curious about Dario Agrimi is his personality, his desire to make his mark in the art world and his inability to step away to leave some space for the man and his interests.
Dario, what is the expressive medium you most recognise yourself in?
"Art is the only medium. Within it there is a world of possibilities. You just have to know how to choose. I am convinced that every idea has its corresponding medium to be realised exactly as it should be. I recognise myself in my work and in everything I use, without making a distinction. It would be like having children and preferring one. I would be a bad parent. I care about being a good parent.
Why do so many call you desecrating? What does that do to you?
"I tend to be cynical. I often go out and express what for me is the right value of things, but it is simply my point of view. I work a lot on the weakness of mankind and I am very interested in religion as a theme. In some works I revisit it in an ironic way, so for some I desecrate. It is not very important what is said, but that it is talked about. Fortunately, I have an ataraxic nature.
What percentage of irony is there in your work?
'Very high. Often very high. Through irony one can give a biting, but not offensive meaning to works. It is an added value that I would never deprive myself of. We can see it as an implicit signature hidden behind the concept of the work. In some cases it represents a distinctive sign of recognisability. The latter, much in demand in some circles, often attracts insiders'.
Tell us about yourself. What does the artist do in his spare time?
"I recharge my batteries. I dedicate myself to sport, as soon as I can I go to the cinema, but nothing more. It's so short that I would call it more school recreation than free time. I often feel like I'm wasting the moments when I'm not in the studio working, so I have a bad relationship with sitting around idle. I was a hyperactive guy as a kid, I don't think I've changed much over the years.
How many people, perhaps in your family, told you when you approached this world to 'get a real job'?
"In the family a few, outside, many. Unfortunately you don't consider it a real job when in fact it's one of the few jobs you can't take a holiday from. When you are what you do, you can't escape from what you are. Another thing not to be underestimated is that we are talking about the only job where you know where you start, but you don't know where you finish. Only in art and in dreams are there no limits. Perhaps it is our limited nature that does not allow us to see things from the right point of view and we are almost all looking for stability. The only thing I'm certain of is that I wouldn't do anything else. Not even being a footballer.
Where do you find inspiration for your works?
"Inspiration is like a well-known advertisement from a few years ago: 'All around you'. Inspiration is everywhere. Using any kind of medium to create my works, what stimulates my imagination, it can also be a sound or a smell. Really anything. I've never had a moment of blockage where I didn't know what to do. So little has been done that I am spoilt for choice. I have several projects that I follow in parallel consisting of different series of works that make time always seem too short. That is why free time seems like a crime to me. I believe that once refined in their creative process, each artist freewheels in tune with the inspiration that becomes an integral part of their existence'.
How did the idea of the Black Box come about?
"In the case of Scatola Nera, there are two possibilities. The first is the solo exhibition held in the museum space of Palazzo Beltrani in Trani. The second is the work 'Black Box', created some time ago. In the first case, it originated from a criminal association formed by myself, curator Roberto Lacarbonara and museum director Niki Battaglia. Immediately in tune, we decided to name the exhibition after the title of one of the most irreverent works on display. A work that was autobiographical and at the same time forced the viewer to interact with it actively.
In the second case, the idea came from a white box. When I design a work I am used to studying all the characteristics of materials, how they interact with others and what kind of interaction the audience has with them. We are not just talking about physicality. I am very interested in the emotional aspect. I do a behavioural science study to predict the reactions of those who will come into contact with the work. So, of everything, I also evaluate its opposite or complementary.
The black box is generally never black, but we all imagine it to be. Add the curiosity factor, which is never to be underestimated, and the job is done. What will the black box hide inside? After seeing an exhibition where almost 100 works are on display, there could be anything. It was the right work to close a path. Those who dared to open it laughed, some were frightened, others more so. No one was left indifferent and that is the most important thing, whatever one does. You need the spectator to give value to your product. Unfortunately'.
What is Trani for you? Or Puglia in general?
"Home. There are my affections and my studio. The place from which everything starts. Unfortunately, art is also internationalising, so it is very important to travel and circulate the works. As soon as I can, however, I return to base'.
What advice do you feel you can give to those who want to turn their passion into a job?
"You don't have to believe it. One has to think about it. Whatever you do, it is important to ask yourself: how much of my life am I willing to sacrifice to become what I want to become? So the advice is this: ask yourself the question, give yourself the answer and roll up your sleeves, because in this world only diseases are free.
