Obfuscated Structured Substrates
—Aesthetic Malfunctions Unveiled
Unveiling the unexpected transforming digital malfunctions into evocative explorations of beauty and chaos, this groundbreaking approach invites viewers to embrace imperfection as a creative force, redefining the boundaries of contemporary art.
Since 2004, Riccardo Mantelli has been among the first artists to delve into the artistic potential of digital error. This period marked key historical moments for glitch art, such as Iman Moradi's pioneering dissertation and Kim Cascone's paper "The Aesthetics of Failure." During these years, Mantelli created a series of works that not only redefined glitch aesthetics but also explored their philosophical and symbolic potential.
With pieces like "Black Box", deconstructing the obsession with flawless visuals, and "$0FF", delving into fetishism and creative chaos, these works stand as reflections on errors and imperfections as forms of beauty. These creations now resurface as NFTs, inviting a new generation to explore the boundary between failure and creation.
These works have been showcased in various prestigious venues, including the Hackney Empire Theatre - Spice Festival (2005), London Placard Festival - State 51, HTTP Gallery - London, Arrivi e Partenze curated by Alberto Fiz at the Mole Vanvitelliana in Ancona, and Assalto al Castello - Museo di Arte Contemporanea Castello Gamba.
Additionally, they have been featured in notable publications such as New Media Design by Alberto Cecchi, Italian Spaghetti - Art & New Forms of Communication in Italy (Ed. Red), L'Espresso (“Bello e Imperfetto”), My Media (“Il sex appeal dell'errore”), and Banca Europa curated by Ivan Rizzi (Estasi di estatici errori by Vittorio Raschetti).
<In progress... >
RiccardoMantelli_OSS_NOP
RiccardoMantelli_OSS_NOP
This artwork, inspired by the NOP (No OPeration) assembly instruction, questions the relentless drive for productivity in a world dominated by efficiency. The deliberate act of idling, symbolized by cycles of intentional inactivity, disrupts the linear narrative of constant output. It unveils the poetic potential of stillness, challenging the value systems that equate movement with meaning. By invoking the NOP's essence, the work invites reflection on our discomfort with pausing and asks: how often do we allow ourselves to idle?
<NFT Avalable on OpenSea>
RiccardoMantelli_OSS_Black_box
This artwork, born from a glitching image-scaling algorithm, critiques society's obsession with flawless visuals. The distortions reveal the chaotic beauty of imperfection, challenging the illusion of control. It invites reflection on our fixation with the image and the value of disobedience in art.
<NFT Avalable on OpenSea>
RiccardoMantelli_OSS_ _$0FF
_$0FF delves into fetishism as a universal language, from digital glitches to sacred symbols. Feet, as relics of imperfection, celebrate the worship of malfunction and devotion to creative chaos.
<NFT Avalable on OpenSea>