FEDERICA BATTISTINI
I create because I feel the need to. It is something that has always accompanied me: I look at things and imagine what they could become, what story they could tell. I am fascinated by the idea of transforming what already exists. Forgotten objects, simple materials, things that seem to have reached the end of their cycle... for me, they are just a new beginning. Giving them another shape also means giving them a new life, and in some way, telling a different story. Over time, I have built an environment around me that represents who I am, made of details, inventions, and small worlds born from my hands. It is my way of making what is in my head real, of living inside what I imagine. At a certain point, I felt the desire to go further, to not keep everything just to myself. Sharing what I create has become a natural step: a way to put myself out there and let these things find a space in the eyes of others as well.
ARTISTIC EXPERIENCES
2007 - I participated in the 'Mercatino dell'immaginazione' in Gonzaga (MN), presenting a series of necklaces (unique pieces) made from recycled materials. My originality was recognized with a mention in the provincial newspaper. I created and registered my own brand. I participated in the literary contest 'Festival degli scrittori della Bassa' with a short story on the theme 'La bassa in 200 parole' (The lowlands in 200 words), promoted by the 'Laboratorio Ambiente' association of Pegognaga in collaboration with the Municipal Administration of Pegognaga (MN). It is now featured in a book. 2008 - I participated in the 'Mercatino dell'immaginazione' in Gonzaga (MN), this time presenting a series of frames (unique pieces) decorated with recycled materials. I participated in the literary contest 'Festival degli scrittori della Bassa' with a short story on the theme 'Le donne della bassa in 200 parole' (Women of the lowlands in 200 words), promoted by the 'Laboratorio Ambiente' association of Pegognaga in collaboration with the Municipal Administration of Pegognaga (MN). It is now featured in a book. I participated in the ‘Premio Celeste’ with an installation titled ‘Il cuore del nuovo millennio’ (The heart of the new millennium). (Project: technology is art) I participated in the international prize ‘Arte in laguna’ with a sculpture titled ‘Indossa l’Arte’ (Wear Art). (Project: technology is art) I participated in the Italian Wave contest with a series of paintings related to the projects ‘La tecnologia è arte’ (Technology is art) and ‘Messaggi’ (Messages). I participated in the art contest “COLORI IN EMERSIONE” 2008-2009, with two works titled ‘Legami sicuri’ (Secure bonds) and ‘Moxa’ (Project: messages). I participated in the first edition of the ‘Premio internazionale d’Arte a tema’ of the city of Zigarono with the work titled ‘Fantasia’. (Project: messages) I received a statement of interest in my works and free participation in upcoming contests. I participated in the ‘Terna’ prize, with a work titled ‘La primavera della vita’ (The spring of life). I participated in the ‘Etichett’ArTe’ contest with a work titled ‘L’uva tecnologica’ (The technological grape). (Project: technology is art) On February 7 in Rome at the Hotel Esedra, I was awarded third place. From February 23 to March 4, I participated in a group exhibition with my work at Palazzo Valentini in Rome. I participated in the contest ‘Raccontati’ with the short story ‘Dice che le mie mani sono da fabbrica’ (They say my hands belong in a factory). I participated in the Salerno in arte contest ‘Rifiuti in cerca d’autore’ (Waste in search of an author) with the work ‘Indossa l’arte’ (Wear art) (Project: technology is art), featured in the event catalogue. 2009 I participated in the literary contest 'Festival degli scrittori della Bassa' with a short story on the theme ‘I ragazzi della bassa in 200 parole' (The youth of the lowlands in 200 words), promoted by the 'Laboratorio Ambiente' association of Pegognaga in collaboration with the Municipal Administration of Pegognaga (MN). It is now featured in a book. I participated in the Salerno in arte contest ‘Rifiuti in cerca d’autore’ with the work ‘Il sole tecnologico’ (The technological sun) (Project: technology is art), featured in the event catalogue and exhibited in the group show. During this year, I did not participate in many contests as I dedicated my time to completing a book of short stories. 2010 - A house fire forced me to interrupt the production of new works, and I dedicated myself to rebuilding. 2011 - I started producing MUTAZIONI (MUTATIONS), paintings featuring coat hangers (or clothes hangers, as you prefer) deformed in my house fire. The heat of the fire, the composition of the hanger, and the weight of the clothes created new shapes that I interpreted into characters. In the following years, I had a daughter and cared for my elderly parents, so my creativity shifted into other areas. 2023 - I attended an advanced theater course. 2024 - I attended an advanced theater course. 2025 - I applied and was selected to exhibit at Paratissima (KOSMOS) at the Real Collegio Carlo Alberto in the ‘Disobbedienza Formale’ (Formal Disobedience) section, and finally, the works from the Mutazioni project were seen. The painting titled ‘Mimetizzarsi’ (Camouflage) was selected as an ‘Artist’s Manifesto’, while ‘Volteggio’ (Vaulting) is featured in the event catalogue. The curator Cristina Ghignatti described my paintings as follows: In this journey, fire becomes the engine of transformation: what began as an accident turns into a visual language. The melting of the hangers under the weight of the clothes generates unexpected shapes, where the waste material reveals itself as an object capable of attracting the gaze and opening up new interpretations. The initial destruction gives way to a different vitality, in which the folds and curves of the plastic bear witness to the material's capacity to record time, preserving the memory of the event. These deformed objects speak of a fragility that does not end with the damage suffered, but becomes a sign of resilience and metamorphosis. I am currently attending an advanced theater course.