How does art engage with the human experience? I’m Alex, a fine artist from Italy, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to this brand-new episode of my podcast designed for art lovers. In this episode, I want to share with you a personal experience that I had recently, standing in the heart of Times Square in New York City, gazing at one of my paintings displayed on a massive Jumbotron.

What We Discuss in this Video:

0:10 welcome

0:48 Introduction to the podcast

2:46 the role of an Artist

4:20 The most fundamental concept in art

5:24 How does art engage with the human experience?

9:15 Is there anything that art can do for you?

Transcription:

Hello and welcome to a brand new episode of my podcast, designed for art lovers.

My name is Alex, and I’m a fine artist from Italy. Are you looking for something that makes your life more fulfilled? Are you curious about what art can do for you?

Through this podcast, my aim is to contribute by providing you with thought-provoking ideas about art, culture, and beauty, all with the goal of enriching and deepening your appreciation of the art experience.

As art has the power to establish the fundamental human truth, making it a crucial touchstone for society’s judgment.

Welcome to my very first episode, and I’m excited to celebrate this milestone with you.

Recently, I had the opportunity to celebrate one of my greatest achievements as an artist.

I found myself in New York City, standing in the heart of Times Square, gazing at one of my paintings displayed on a massive Jumbotron.

If you’re curious and would like to see photos from the event, please visit my website at www.alexrighetto.art and feel free to explore.

As you can imagine, it was an incredibly emotional experience. It’s not every day that you see your artwork and name displayed for countless people to admire. The overwhelming emotions were indescribable.

I was completely fulfilled for the day after those few seconds of fame.

After spending days upon days working alone in my studio on a specific piece of art, it’s easy to forget that the painting is meant for others to appreciate and enjoy, not just for myself.

The painting I’m referring to is titled “Mona Lisa’s Daughter,” a recent creation of mine from 2023 that imagines the portrait of Mona Lisa’s daughter as if she were alive today.

Many of you may not know that Lisa del Giocondo, the woman portrayed in the original Mona Lisa at the Louvre, tragically lost a baby daughter in 1499.

My artwork was displayed in one of the largest public spaces in the world. And yes, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is that enough? Can someone truly gain something meaningful from just a few seconds of exposure to it?

Let’s face it, the role of an artist is to distinguish, through their artwork, what is important and what is not—to separate what is vital from what is just trivial.

People who connect with the artist’s interpretation of beauty may find themselves inspired or empowered by the work.

Isn’t that an interesting concept?

As an Italian artist, it’s no easy feat to carry on the rich artistic legacy of my country. Countless remarkable artists who came before me have already laid the foundation for one of the world’s most beautiful and significant cultural heritages.

And yet, here I am, standing before a 100-foot jumbotron, showcasing my artwork that puts a unique spin on a Renaissance-inspired piece, as if it were the Sistine Chapel itself.

So, this marks the beginning of our podcast and the start of a new season.

Why don’t we begin with the fundamentals? What does art mean to you? What can art do for you?

This entire series will focus on how art can enrich your life and enhance your experience as a human being, ultimately fostering your personal growth.

Indeed, art has the power to achieve that.

And I will prove that.

When we discuss art, the most fundamental concept at its core is: do you believe in your capacity for growth?

Do you genuinely believe you can propel yourself to a better place? Do you have faith in your ability to improve?

These are the foundational principles of art.

I recognize that when I engage in conversations with certain individuals, we both understand that art is not merely about colors and shapes. Instead,

it’s about a message encapsulated within the work, a message with the power to either elevate you to the heavens or plunge you into the abyss

there are lots of opinions in the art field, so I’m not asking you to simply take my word for it.

Instead, consider whether what I’m saying resonates with you and, perhaps, opens up some new avenues of thought for you to explore.

How does art engage with the human experience?

I’m not trying to be overcomplicated or serving a pie in the sky I’m simply asking you to envision a world that offers more than what meets the eye—a world where we, as humans, strive for something beyond the mundane routine of eating, working, and sleeping.

One day, you might find yourself unexpectedly captivated by something different—a painting, a sculpture, or a film—that possesses the power to stop you in your tracks and seize your attention.

You were left completely amazed by it, unable to stop thinking about the experience.

In some way, it altered your perspective, leaving a lasting impact.

How many of us have made a decision or been influenced by listening to a song or watching a movie?

If you found yourself “rolling in the deep,” you might have felt comforted by the song. Similarly, after watching Fight Club, you may have been inspired to live life to the fullest.

It’s almost like magic, isn’t it? If you hadn’t had such an experience, you probably wouldn’t be tuning in to this podcast.

Above all, the experience with art is deeply personal. No one has to approve of it or tell you what to think about it; it’s entirely yours to interpret and appreciate.

Art is not only reserved for galleries, connoisseurs, art dealers, or critics.

At times, it may occur that a piece of art gains fame for reasons other than the quality of the ideas it conveys.

Ultimately, art is like love. To quote The Matrix movie, when the Oracle tells Neo, “No one can tell you you’re in love, you just know it.”

Similarly, no one can definitively tell you what is art. You just know it. Art is not determined by a majority vote in an assembly.

You instinctively know it. When you constantly hear the same songs on the radio, you might be led to believe that this is the best the music industry has to offer.

However, that’s not necessarily the case.

Similarly, in the art world, what makes headlines in the newspapers may or may not be true art. The responsibility lies with you to explore and discover it for yourself.

Indeed, art is for the masses, yet it remains a deeply personal affair.

Art engages with the human experience in some of the most fundamental ways, making it one of the closest expressions of our true nature.

To support my point, let’s consider a few examples. Our understanding of anatomy has advanced thanks to art. Our grasp of perspective has developed through artistic exploration.

Even books and mass media have evolved and flourished as a result of artistic contributions.

even technology on how to fly was first explored by artists.

Is there anything that art can do for you?

I was a kid when My brother gave me my first music cassette. What an angelic experience. what a journey.

it was nothing fancy, but every time I was playing those songs recorded on a tape, I was almost able to see the music.

It made an incredible impact on me.

so this is the main theme of this podcast.

I am myself an artist, and I want to guide you through the next episodes to rediscover art as a tool for growth.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the podcast. I hope that the ideas we’ve discussed have sparked some curiosity in you.

Until next time, this is Alex signing off,

thanks for listening