Giovanni Sollima and Julia Kent on Art, Music, and Their Creative Practices
In a recent double interview featured in Artribune, cellist-composers Giovanni Sollima and Julia Kent share their perspectives on music and art. Born in Palermo in 1962, Sollima is known for fusing diverse musical genres and has worked alongside prominent artists such as Claudio Abbado and Martha Argerich. He notably performed at Italy's Republic Day celebration at the Quirinale in 2017. Sollima believes that art is an inherent quality, while music serves as a cultural synthesizer. His preferred piece is Giuseppe Sanmartino's "Cristo velato" from 1753. Meanwhile, Julia Kent, originally from Vancouver and now residing in New York, shifted from classical to experimental music, collaborating with Raspuntina and Antony and the Johnsons. She sees art as a medium for sharing ideas and favors Cy Twombly's "Untitled" from 1970. The interview is conducted by Samantha Stella.
Key facts
- Giovanni Sollima was born in Palermo in 1962.
- Sollima has collaborated with Claudio Abbado, Martha Argerich, Peter Greenaway, John Turturro, Bob Wilson, and choreographers Karole Armitage, Micha van Hoecke, Fabrizio Monteverde, Matteo Levaggi, and Carolyn Carlson.
- In 2020, Pulitzer Prize winner Justin Davidson called Sollima 'The Jimi Hendrix of the Cello.'
- Sollima performed at the Quirinale for Italy's Republic Day in 2017 before the President of the Republic, the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate, and ambassadors.
- Sollima's favorite visual artwork is Giuseppe Sanmartino's marble sculpture 'Cristo velato' (1753) in the Cappella Sansevero, Naples.
- Julia Kent is originally from Vancouver and based in New York.
- Kent performed with Raspuntina (1991-1999) alongside Melora Creager and Chris Vrenna, and with Antony and the Johnsons (2005-2009).
- Kent's music appears in Paolo Sorrentino's film 'This Must Be the Place.'
Entities
Artists
- Giovanni Sollima
- Julia Kent
- Claudio Abbado
- Martha Argerich
- Peter Greenaway
- John Turturro
- Bob Wilson
- Karole Armitage
- Micha van Hoecke
- Fabrizio Monteverde
- Matteo Levaggi
- Carolyn Carlson
- Justin Davidson
- Giuseppe Sanmartino
- Melora Creager
- Chris Vrenna
- Paolo Sorrentino
- Cy Twombly
- Samantha Stella
Institutions
- Artribune
- Quirinale
- Cappella Sansevero
- MoMA
- Norwegian National Ballet
- Ballett Nationaltheater Mannheim
- Balletto Civile
- Raspuntina
- Antony and the Johnsons
- Nine Inch Nails
- Marylin Manson
- Nirvana
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy
- Vancouver
- New York
- Naples
- North America
- Europe
- Milan