Giuseppe Stampone and Nicola Samorì Debate Beauty, Ethics, and Art

In a dialogue published on Artribune, artists Giuseppe Stampone and Nicola Samorì engage in a philosophical discussion on beauty, ethics, and the role of the artist, as part of the Versus series. Samorì defines beauty as a 'spoiled training of the eye,' arguing that it is inevitable and separate from morality, while Stampone rejects the concept of beauty as a political category, favoring harmony and ethical process. They address the separation of artist from artwork, with Samorì claiming he forgets the creator when facing a strong work, and Stampone insisting on coherence between an artist's life and work. Stampone cites his georeferenced maps and 'Past to the Future' series as formal milestones, and the Solstizio Project network as a human achievement. Samorì points to the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake as a turning point in his practice, leading him to bring 'storm into the museum.' The dialogue concludes with reflections on audience impact: Stampone introduces the concept of 'spectator-content' and a 'space of transfiguration,' while Samorì admits he aims for the stomach, not the heart.