1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

Paolo: No. My entry into the creative field was somewhat later in the day. I joined the design program at the University of Rome after obtaining a degree in engineering, which I realized was not my path.

Shilpa: Creative field, yes.But art/design, no It’s either unfortunate or fortunate that design has swept through my life unintentionally.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

Paolo: To be honest, I have a basic need for expression. I began to feel the urge to express myself in my twenties. I have since worked to find ways of designing and producing things, whether it is an object or interior spaces.

Shilpa: I’m a photographer and currently preparing for fine art photography. My husband’s incredible design skills led to the creation of the design. He piqued my interest and guided me into the world of design and its possibilities. The spare time during the pandemic was an opportunity to mold our interests and seamlessly form this collaboration.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

Paolo & Shilpa: It varies depending on the project. The process for Stone Stackers is entirely inspired by the raw material itself. I am driven by the materials and the rest comes by itself, as if I am possessed by an energy that creates the object for me. Out of Stone Stackers, the creative process is more conventional for a designer. The process of building the concept that will guide the entire project, whether it’s a product, an interior, or a photography project, begins with paper.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

Paolo: Wake up at 6 am, go for a walk and breakfast outside, come back, have a shower, and be ready to go, wherever the day will guide me.

Shilpa: My life is completely chaotic right now because I have a newborn. Otherwise, filter coffee, check emails, browse books for inspiration, listen to loud music, journal my ideas (if any), and take candid street photos instead. It’s a must to end the day with a glass of wine and talk to my husband or friends.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

Paolo & Shilpa: We were chosen by Marble. The start of everything was our visit to Simeg Marmi, our partner’s factory that uses marble for international furniture brands. These works result in a considerable amount of marble pieces that cannot be used in classical furniture production. We were forced to come up with an alternative due to the pain we felt upon realizing that these materials would be discarded.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

Paolo & Shilpa: The second phase is when we only concentrate on the technical aspects of each project. Working with different materials and artisans requires flexibility in adapting to technical aspects and trusting the process.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

Paolo: Don’t think, just create!

Shilpa: Find a balance in your exposure to other creators’ works. Exposing yourself to other artists’ work can be intimidating.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

Paolo & Shilpa: Because every project is unique, and the inspirations and stories are so different, it doesn’t follow any design movement.

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

Paolo: Donal Judd, Vincenzo De Cotiis
Shilpa: Paolo Ciacci, Vincenzo De Cotiis, Vikram Goyal

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Paolo: Dimore Studio, Nacho Carbonell, Joep van Lieshout
Shilpa: Vikram Goyal

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

Paolo: Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, Antony Gormley, Michael Jackson, Patti Smith, and many other artists
Shilpa: Laxma Goud, Joakim Moller, Laura Pasquino

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)