I am a gay man, so I guess the category is correct – if you believe in categories.

Sicily is my second home and a highly desirable place. Also, it is a spot where beauty and death clash – due to the monstrous and majestic volcano. That seemed quite fitting for the story.

Heartbreaking and devastating. The natures, as always and everywhere, is great, but for over 2000 years mankind did their best to spoil and ruin it.

There is a lot of autobiographical stuff in it, a lot of fake-autobiographical stuff and a lot of made-up stuff. So, this novel is a labyrinth, a riddle, a hall of mirrors. What is true though: I do have a house in Noto and a dog named Jack.

Adriano the novel character is a distant relative of me that I am not terribly fond of. Like the bitter and embarrassing uncle who keeps telling stories of his almost greatness (but has a good heart).

Most funeral services end with the guests telling jokes about the departed. I guess we can’t stand the darkness for too long.

There is not a proper age for coming of age. The protagonist is a grown-up man who suddenly experiences a terrible loss that shatters his entire existence. Yet, he finds out that this not only causes a great amount of pain, but it changes him. Better late than never.

Because sex is life.

Gwyneth Paltrow – as the one-eyed horse, the naked soldier, the killer whales in the Mediterranean, the V.I.P. guest at the big wedding party – is a hint that realism is sometimes just not enough. Plus, she is a great cameo, she is one of the major comedians of her generation, and as a businesswoman she is a con artist, obviously.

Of course, but I am not allowed to tell.

I just erased myself in the process.

Routine scares me to death. But it turned out, I write early in the morning and sober. Even my dog has to wait for his morning walk.

I still work as a journalist. I just found out that my true passion is writing. I want to focus on that.

There is pain, doubts, dead-ends in the process. But writing a novel can also be absolutely enjoyable. On good days I believed I could fly.

That is an impossible question. But I give you this: I just finished “James” by Percival Everett. It tells the adventures of Huckleberry Finn on the Mississippi, but instead of Huck the narrator is his friend, the escaped slave Jim/James. The change of perspective creates an entirely new story and the novel is a wild and witty comment on racism in America. Also it is terrible, funny and tender. I guess that is what we are all trying to achieve.

I attended an art high school starting at the age of 14, which set me on a professional path early on. At 21, I moved to New York to study art, and eventually, I ended up in Berlin, where I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Art University of Berlin. I began exhibiting and curating while still in university.

I enjoy collaborating with other artists and bringing together those whose work I admire. Life as an artist can be quite isolating, so organizing exhibitions gives me an opportunity to step out of my bubble. I also take pleasure in creating social spaces for interaction. It’s truly rewarding to see a space come alive with visitors engaging with the art and each other.

I have a strong interest in new technologies and innovation within the creative field. For many years, I worked as a creative director for 3D printing. I am passionate about the learning process involved in mastering new technologies, whether it’s 3D printing, gaming engines, or AI. Engaging with new technologies opens up possibilities for developing my art practice.

The process was gradual, beginning with my early access to Midjourney, which captivated me from the start. I spent 7-10 hours a day designing, driven by curiosity about how it categorized styles and aesthetics. I experimented with creating artworks within images, allowing the AI to act as an artist and explore its creative potential. The AI’s proficiency in identifying what we find appealing led me to investigate what we culturally perceive as aspirational and tasteful, using the art world as a thematic lens.

I use AI data to grasp contemporary ideals and representations of wealth, style, elegance, sophistication, and artistic sensibility. The portraits depict protagonists in the perfect settings for their art collections, adorned in designer attire, surrounded by meticulously arranged furniture, and exuding self-confidence. These images serve both as products and commentaries on our society, reflecting the diverse ways our collective data dreams up new realities.

Generative AI represents one of the most significant tools humanity has developed. It is the artist’s duty to investigate and reflect upon it, as it will undoubtedly alter our approach to and engagement with creativity. Although the technology is still nascent, I anticipate that more artists will explore its implications and effects. This is the rationale behind naming the exhibition “post-artificial painting,” as I believe this period will be regarded as a significant cultural and historical milestone.

Predicting the future impact of advanced technologies on art is challenging. Just three years ago, the focus was on NFTs, and now it has shifted to AI. Engaging with data, particularly given the insights that large computing powers can provide beyond human comprehension, will likely play a crucial role. Additionally, AI’s ability to blend different styles into hybrid forms is something I believe will become increasingly important.