Andy Picci's Parisian Odyssey Through the Lens of PortrAIts

Welcome back to "portrAIts," RED-EYE's electrifying series where we spotlight the trailblazers transforming fashion, art, music, and design. In this installment, we venture to the vibrant heart of Paris, capturing the creativity of Andy Picci. As we continue to explore the forefront of fashion, PortrAIts remains our canvas for showcasing innovation, driven by our passion for shaping the industry's future. This series celebrates the diverse and dynamic individuals who make the fashion world spin. From visionary designers to trendsetting models, PortrAIts is distinguished by our groundbreaking collaboration with artificial intelligence, all under the creative eye of Rosario Rex Di Salvo. With Rex's expertise in photography and AI artistry, we breathe new life into traditional portrait photography, blending timeless aesthetics with the allure of modern technology. In our most recent Parisian journey, we highlight Andy, an Italian/Swiss artist whose work explores identity and self-image in the digital landscape. His essence is captured by the words "Contemplative," "Evocative," and "Neutral," reflecting the depth of his aestheticism and mood.

Through a combination of reflective thought and experimentation, Andy creates pieces that challenge the perception of digital self versus authentic self, addressing the role of social media in individual identity. His creative process embraces a variety of mediums, allowing each work to be a point of reflection in his artistic exploration. Through his pieces, Andy aims to provide a pause from life for his audience, encouraging introspection and connection with their deepest feelings. Finally, during this experience amidst Paris Fashion Week, Andy shares his personal relationship with fashion as a form of intuitive and universal expression. Fashion week is not only a moment to explore new trends, but also to connect with people from around the world and witness the ideas and creations that will shape tomorrow's self-representation. Through Rex's artistic vision and the magic of AI, we've crafted portraits that capture Andy’s essence, intertwining his multifaceted identity with the timeless elegance of Paris.

Andy is wearing a total look Massimo Osti x C.P. Company

Could you share your name, origin, profession, and, if you follow astrology, your zodiac sign?

Andy, Italian/Swiss, Artist, Aquarius.

What three keywords best capture your essence, reflecting your aesthetic and mood?

Contemplative, evolutive, neutral

Can you share what initially drew you to exploring identity and self-image within the digital landscape through your art?

Younger, I didn't felt legitimate to be an artist. This led me to explore the perception of what society expects from an artist. This, simultaneously with the expansion of social media, led me to explore the duality and construction of our physical and virtual self and, later, the extension of our inner self through virtual mediums.

Could you describe your creative process? How do you blend traditional artistic methods with digital technologies in your work?

My process involve a lot of thinking. Emptying my head completely allows me to perceive ideas and feelings that I, then, try to express using whatever medium feels right according to the subject. This is why I don't limit my research to any medium; all my creation are part of a whole, each artwork is a « pin » of a precise point in my artistic research to allow the audience to follow my thoughts.

Your work frequently addresses the concept of the digital self versus the authentic self. What do you believe is the impact of social media on individual identity?

In my opinion the biggest shift is in the ability for everyone to curate himself by showcasing its inner-self. I feel that, prior to socials, one person behaving in a fully personal way would be perceived as « playing a role». While nowadays, society seems to encourage the expression of each one's seliness, allowing more and more people to join in the quest of construction of the self.

How do you hope your audience interacts with or interprets your work? Are there any specific reactions or engagements you've found particularly memorable or surprising?

I sincerely wish people feel a « life break » when looking at my work. Most of the creations I do aim to be mesmerizing or contemplative, and to push the audience to introspect, even if just for a few seconds. It always surprises me when, the most the thought I'd share is intimate, the more people will relate to that thought. It says a lof about us as society and the way we live and connect to each other.

And now one final question: you are experiencing this shooting during the PFW, what is your relationship with Paris Fashion Week?

Fashion is a very intuitive way of self-expression, therefore I always have been inspired and passionate about it. It allows me to dress as a billboard to announce my mood to others, or welcome them into my universe. This is why I love fashion week, it is a great moment to bound with people from all origins expressing themselves, as well as witnesses the ideas and creations that will shape tomorrow's self-representation.