Reconstructing: Vogue Italia

“Introduced to me by my elegant mother, my favourite magazine became, (and still is) Vogue Italia. My studious father, despite having a preference for the impressionists, introduced me to the surrealists and I have been mesmerized in the frames of their subconscious ever since. 

Imagining these collages are borne from a playdate between Franca Sozzani {Vogue Italia editor-in-chief}, René Magritte {surrealist artist} and myself: it’s cut-and-paste fun, not to be taken too seriously and yet deeply rewarding. In an evermore digital world, I enjoy the tactile process. As well as being surprised by a simple or saturated amount of imagery, that can be explored with curiosity to reveal an increasing amount of suggestive detail. Always a meaningful conversation starter, it’s fascinating to hear everyone’s varied interpretations and projections. Or my own with the passing of time, as I develop and change.  

My process involves flipping through the magazine with a theme in mind, cutting out any images from advertisements and stories that speak to me with relevance. I assemble them into a collage in an almost subconscious trance. Even while some themes hold darkness, the reconstruction is always done with child-like playfulness. These collages are essentially deconstructed stories, dreams and thought experiments. Repurposing a medium that could be considered materialist, consumerist and elitist (depending on the perception of the viewer of course) into a visual story of the human experience, exploring hidden corners of our minds.”

Feminine / Unconscious / Secret self / Morality / Boundaries and Freedom / Awake / Heat

Marta is a performance and visual artist from Italy residing in London, UK.

Follow Marta on instagram here and learn more on her website.