A Collision of Souls

In conversation with Gabriele Tinti and Abel Ferrara on the occasion of their exhibition at BKV Fine Art Gallery, Milan.

When poetry meets cinema, a profound fusion unfolds, each medium reflecting and amplifying the other. Milan’s BKV Gallery, steeped in mythological echoes and provocative art, provided the perfect backdrop for this unique soirée. In candid conversations, the artists peeled back the layers of their craft, sharing insights on storytelling, imagery, language, and the creative anxieties that shape their work.The exhibition will remain open for viewing until Saturday, 18 January, 2025.

Surrounded by the haunting masterpieces of the Koelliker Collection—depicting the decapitation of Saint John the Baptist and enigmatic biblical figures like Salome and Judith gazing silently—Ferrara’s voice infused Tinti’s verses with life, drawing inspiration from the timeless tale of David and Goliath. An intimate gathering of familiar faces from the artists’ inner circle and select guests came together, responding to a special invitation to witness this raw and unfiltered performance. The setting evoked a modern-day séance of intellectuals, searching for insights from the past. Through candid dialogue, the artists shared their reflections on storytelling, imagery, language, and the creative struggles that shape their work. The exhibition will remain open for viewing until Saturday, 18 January, at Bkv Fine Art Gallery.

How did your artistic collaboration begin?

Tinti: It all started with an idea. I reached out to Maestro Ferrara, proposing a concept inspired by ancient art, sculptures, and myths. He embraced it, and from that moment, we embarked on a journey. Our first readings took place in Rome, where we explored narratives shaped by these timeless elements. What struck me most was the generosity of Maestro Ferrara, his willingness to align with my vision. It’s a rare gift in this industry.

Ferrara: Love at first collaboration, you could say. Tinti’s poetry drew me in. His words have this magnetic pull—a blend of ancient gravitas and raw emotion. How could I not follow?

Storytelling is a recurring theme in your works. How does it connect you as a director and poet?

Ferrara: Storytelling is the backbone. When I read Tinti’s poetry, I’m not just reciting words; I’m breathing life into them. It’s visceral. There’s blood, death, decapitation the darker it gets, the more I feel.

Tinti: My poetry serves as a stage of sorts. It’s not traditional theater or mere reading it’s something in between, a synthesis of imagery and emotion. Today’s event in Milan was no exception. The setting amplifies the experience, making the words resonate in unexpected ways.

Why Milan this time? Was there a specific reason behind the location choice?

Tinti: Milan chose us, in a sense. This event aligned with our past readings here, like those at the Pinacoteca di Brera before Christ at the Column. The painting theme—its haunting beauty—became a silent participant. And of course, there’s Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini. These settings are sacred spaces where art converses with itself.

Ferrara: Milan’s energy matches the intensity of Tinti’s words. It’s a city that thrives on layers of history, of emotion. That’s what makes it perfect.

Do feelings and poetry share the same language? How do you create meaning through imagery and words?

Ferrara: There’s poetry in every frame of a film. I’m not making silent movies. Words anchor the visuals, giving them purpose. They’re the unseen thread connecting emotion to action.

Tinti: Poetry is about crafting language to evoke. It’s the alchemy of turning the intangible into something real. When Abel speaks of his films, it’s clear that he’s doing the same. The dialogue between imagery and language is perpetual, and it’s that tension that fuels creation.

Should art explain everything, or is mystery essential?

Tinti: Mystery is always required. Rationalizing everything strips life of its essence. Yet, as humans, we cling to rationality, a shield against the chaos of existence.

Ferrara: Surrealism has its place. Mystery invites curiosity, and curiosity keeps us alive. Art should challenge, not comfort.

What’s your vision of the future? Dark, bright, or something else entirely?

Ferrara: The future is a blank canvas. Circular, linear…who cares? It’s what you dream it to be. Dreams are powerful, but the illusion of controlling them can be deceiving.

That’s human.

Tinti: Ferrara dreams of a better tomorrow, and so do I. But dreams are fragile. They’re the poetry of our subconscious…beautiful, fleeting, and often unattainable.

Could you reveal a secret about yourselves?

Ferrara: Secrets? I try to live without them. You first! 

Tinti: Poetry is my secret. It’s a solitary act, almost like bleeding onto a page. No expectations, no audience—just raw emotion. Ferrara calls it a lonely place, and he’s right. But it’s also liberating. You’re free to confront your inner darkness without judgment.

My secret at the moment is that I am a bit anxious.

Ferrara: Explain to me why.

You are famous and I am not.

Ferrara: In today’s social media world, all people have access to fame and is more than 15 mins. So everyone can be famous.

Ferrara hesitates, then smiles and responds.

Anxiety, though that’s a constant companion. 

It’s also a survival instinct! No?

Anxiety isn’t just a survival instinct; It fuels emotions. it’s the dark engine driving creativity.

Thank you both for the wonderful conversation!



A Collision of Souls / Gabriele Tinti & Abel Ferrara

Credits:

Artists: Abel Ferrara 
Gabriele Tinti / @gabrieletinti
Interview: Iro Bournazou / @irwb
Photography: Mattia Zoppellaro / @mattiazoppellaro
Editor: Anca Macavei / @ancamacavei

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