From November 27 to December 1, RUFA Fine Arts Master’s students participated in an extraordinary Masterclass on the theme of Phygital, led by two internationally renowned artists: Leonardo Petrucci and Gabriella Ciancimino. During this intensive experience, students explored the intersection between traditional art and digital technology, working on the theme of time and drawing inspiration from one of the most fascinating inventions in human narrative: the time machine.
Although the time machine remains a device confined to science fiction, the artists described it as a metaphor for confronting an apparently insurmountable limit. Guided by Ciancimino and Petrucci, students employed traditional techniques and AI-based tools to symbolically transcend this boundary, creating works that merge physical and digital dimensions, evoking the concept of time travel.
The results of this Masterclass were showcased in the *Phygital* exhibition, held at the RUFA Space gallery in the heart of the San Lorenzo district in Rome. Open to the public from December 2 to 6, 2024, the exhibition offers a unique journey through past and future, physical and digital. An unmissable opportunity to discover the collective and interdisciplinary work of RUFA students.
Gabriella Ciancimino
Gabriella Ciancimino (Palermo, 1978) is an artist who combines her training in painting with an exploration of communication and relational dynamics, influenced by her background in humanities, journalism, and political activism. Her career has a nomadic dimension, participating in numerous international artist residency programs. Her major solo exhibitions include *”Il fuoco non ha ombra”* (Gilda Lavia Gallery, Rome, 2023), *”Getsemani”* (Museo del 900, Milan, 2022), and *”IN LIBERTY WE TRUST”*, a collateral event of Manifesta 12 (Palermo, 2020). Her works are part of prestigious public collections, such as the Museo del Novecento in Milan and RISO – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea della Sicilia.
Leonardo Petrucci
Leonardo Petrucci (Grosseto, 1986) trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, deepening the relationship between art and alchemy. His artistic research integrates mystical and symbolic themes, such as sacred geometry and astrology, with contemporary disciplines like biology and quantum physics. He has exhibited in prestigious venues, including Gilda Lavia Gallery (Rome, 2024), Fondazione Imago Mundi (Treviso, 2022), and Pastificio Cerere (Rome, 2019). Winner of significant awards, including the 72nd Michetti Prize (2021) and the International Generazione Contemporanea Prize from the LUISS Creative Business Center (2017), Petrucci continues to stand out for his ability to blend tradition and innovation.
Practical information for accessing the exhibition
When: December 2 – 6, 2024
Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Where: RUFA Space: Via degli Ausoni, 7/A – San Lorenzo, Rome.