
- Date
- 23 JANUARY 2025
- Author
- MIRA WANDERLUST
- Image by
- COURTESY OF ARTIST
- Categories
- Interviews
In Conversation with Anfisa Letyago & Giusy Amoroso: Partenope, A Celestial Odyssey of 3D Art Shaped by Sound and Mythology
Partenope merges the immersive 3D artistry of Berlin-based Giusy Amoroso with the evocative soundscapes of Anfisa Letyago, creating a tribute to Naples and its mythic mermaid Partenope. This collaboration seamlessly blends cutting-edge visuals and music, transporting audiences to a realm where reality and fantasy converge.
The narrative draws inspiration from the ancient myth of the mermaid Partenope, embodying her essence through a meticulous 3D transformation of Anfisa into an ethereal aquatic being. The project’s visuals reflect the enchanting depths of the ocean, while the soundscapes evoke the rhythms of the sea, offering an immersive experience that celebrates Naples' cultural heritage and natural beauty.
In our exclusive interview with Anfisa and Giusy, they share insights into the creative process behind Partenope, from its mythical inspirations to the seamless fusion of music and 3D art that defines the project. Their vision transforms techno's moody reputation into electrifying performances, as Anfisa navigates a whimsical underwater universe alongside her reimagined feline companion, Leo.
Dive deeper into their fascinating journey and learn how Partenope unfolds through five narrative arcs exploring love, loss, joy, and introspection—all set against a mesmerizing underwater ecosystem.
Read our interview below with Anfisa and Giusy below to uncover the magic of Partenope and its timeless celebration of Naples’ heritage and mythology.

You’ve expressed a deep fascination with the Greek myth of Partenope, which tells the story of a mermaid connected to Naples. Could you delve into specific aspects of this myth that resonate with you personally and how they informed your artistic narrative and the direction of your live show?
Anfisa: Partenope is one of the mermaids in Homer’s Odyssey, a fascinating creature capable of enchanting men passing by with her voice. When Ulysses manages to overcome Partenope and her sisters with his cunning, she is heartbroken and lets herself fall into the water, allowing her body to be carried by the waves. According to the legend, her body was found on the coast where Naples now stands. Naples’ ancient name is, indeed, Partenope, and there is an undeniable connection between the two.
My city has always inspired me and my artistic journey. The story of Partenope resonated with me so deeply that I wanted it to be part of my story as well. The feminine energy of this character, the importance of a female figure becoming the symbol of a city like Naples, and the similarity of her enchanting voice to music inspired me to create my A/V show.
The synergy between your music and Giusy Amoroso’s visual artistry seems to be a defining feature of "Partenope." Can you describe the collaborative process in more detail? What were some key discussions or moments that shaped the final artistic vision, and how do you feel this partnership enhanced the overall experience?
Anfisa: When I first started working on the show's idea, I was, of course, looking for an artist who could turn my vision into images and reality. By chance, I came across Giusy’s profile and instantly fell in love with her previous work. By coincidence, both Giusy and I are from Naples, and we share a strong connection with the city and a deep interest in the underwater world and its creatures.
Finding the right direction for the project with her was very easy. Seeing the visuals come to life step by step—from her handmade drawings to the final digital 3D results—has been such a fun and rewarding experience for me.
Personal Connection to Water: Growing up by the coast has undoubtedly influenced your artistry. Can you reflect on how your environment and relationship with the sea have shaped your creative expression? Are there any experiences or memories from your childhood that particularly inspire your music today?
Anfisa: The sea and the underwater world are undoubtedly my main sources of inspiration. It’s no coincidence that I’ve chosen to live by the sea, which allows me to stay connected with it during the short time I’m home and draw as much inspiration as possible.
What I love most about the sea is its dynamism and emotional power. It can make us feel calm with its light blue colours and stillness, but it can also make us restless when the waves crash abruptly on the rocks, and its surface becomes a mix of dark blue and green, hiding the infinite world beneath it. Music and art have similar emotional power, affecting us with their images, colours, rhythms, and sounds. The sea itself is art—a masterpiece created by nature.
For audiences who may not be familiar with audiovisual shows, what should they anticipate when attending your performance of "Partenope"? How do you plan to weave together sound and visuals to transport them to the ethereal underwater world you’ve created?
Anfisa: An audiovisual show combines videos and sounds to create a more immersive experience for the audience. Over the past year, I’ve been working extensively on the music and sound design for my show, aiming for the perfect balance between the visuals Giusy created and the music, which consists mostly of my own tracks and works by other artists released on my label NSDA.
It works like a movie—the scenes must align with the perfect soundtrack to fully convey the intended emotions and message. Otherwise, the risk is losing the audience’s attention and engagement. During my show, trance and techno beats alternate with dynamic rhythms and melodic lines, taking the audience into the depths of the underwater world to discover its fascinating elements and connect with Partenope.

Representing your cultural heritage seems to be a critical aspect of your work. How do you intend to embody the spirit of Naples in your performances? Can you share any specific cultural elements or stories that you hope to convey through your show?
Anfisa: Naples is a unique city, full of shades and mystery. To truly understand it, you need to immerse yourself in its culture and history while keeping an open mind and imagination to grasp its most intimate essence.
This sense of mystery is what I find so attractive about Naples, and it’s a feature I aim to reflect in my music and creations—it makes everything more exciting, doesn’t it? Partenope is a part of this process, as is my label NSDA, which takes its name from Nisida, a small island near Naples. This island is inaccessible to humans and is said to be the island of Polyphemus, the Cyclops blinded by Ulysses in the Odyssey.
As you embark on this new chapter with your live show, what long-term aspirations do you have for your music and artistry? Do you envision exploring more interdisciplinary projects that fuse different art forms, or are there specific themes or messages you are eager to express in future works?
Anfisa: I’m currently working on the music for my new upcoming album, which will expand on and tell more of Partenope’s story. I began this process almost two years ago, and it’s been a long journey because I believe in letting every aspect of my projects mature with the right timing to achieve depth and meaning.
In addition to music, I’ve developed an interest in photography over the past few months and have started experimenting with it. The artwork for my recent releases on NSDA is based on photos I’ve taken, focusing on the marine world and its mysteries.
Through my personal experiences, I’ve learned that being involved in every aspect of your artistic journey is essential to being 100% authentic. It’s not about mistrusting others but about understanding that only you can fully grasp your vision and bring it to life directly and clearly.

Your role as a 3D artist is crucial in transforming the experience of "Partenope." How did you approach the challenge of creating visuals that align seamlessly with Anfisa’s music? Could you share examples of how specific elements from the audio influenced the visual components you designed?
Giusy: As a 3D artist, I approached the visuals for Partenope by focusing on the connection between the vocals and the electronic sounds in Anfisa’s music. The vocals, combined with the energetic beats, influenced the choice of a specific color palette contrasted with metallic textures in the main character design. This contrast reflects the combination of softer, melodic elements with dynamic electronic sounds, creating a visual narrative that complements and enhances the music seamlessly.
Working closely with Anfisa must have sparked interesting creative exchanges. Can you elaborate on the most significant moments or discussions during your collaboration that helped shape the outcome of the project, and how did those moments enhance your understanding of each other's artistry?
Giusy: Working with Anfisa was an inspiring experience, especially because we both share a deep connection to our beloved city, Naples. Being from the same place, we naturally drew inspiration from its elements, particularly the water, which holds a special significance for both of us.
We met in Naples and spent time talking and planning the project together. Those discussions were crucial in shaping the concept of Partenope, as they allowed us to align our ideas and create a cohesive vision. This collaborative process not only deepened our understanding of each other’s art style but also ensured the final result truly reflected our shared connection to the city and its essence.
Since your work often explores surreal landscapes and fantastical beings, how did you translate the concept of an underwater world into your visuals? Did you draw from any particular artistic influences or inspirations that helped you bring this unique vision to life?
Giusy: At the core of my art lies a deep passion for biology and science, which greatly influenced my approach to creating the underwater world of Partenope. My aim was to challenge perceptions of reality by manipulating familiar elements and transforming them into something more alien. This is reflected in the characters and environments, where surreal underwater landscapes merge with otherworldly creatures.
I drew inspiration from the forms and textures found in marine biology, reimagining them with a fantastical twist to create a world that feels both familiar and alien. This approach allowed me to create a visual narrative that mirrors the ethereal and dynamic nature of Anfisa’s music while inviting the audience into an otherworldly interpretation of the underwater world.
Bringing a complex audiovisual show to life can have its hurdles. Could you discuss any technical challenges you encountered throughout the creation process and how you overcame them? What strategies did you employ to ensure the visuals complemented the music without overshadowing it?
Giusy: The main challenge during the creation process was animating the characters to ensure they moved as naturally as possible. Since the characters were non-humanoid forms, we decided not to use motion capture technology, as it wasn’t suited for their unique shapes and movements. Instead, my team and I manually animated the characters frame by frame.
This approach allowed us greater creative freedom, but it was also incredibly time-consuming and presented several technical challenges, such as achieving fluid, lifelike motion while maintaining the surreal essence of the designs. To overcome these hurdles, we planned each movement and iterated frequently to refine the animations.
To ensure the visuals complemented the music without overshadowing it, I paid close attention to the rhythm and mood of Anfisa’s tracks, allowing the animations to respond organically to the audio. This balance helped the visuals enhance the overall experience while staying in harmony with the music.

Your visual style embodies an ethereal quality that pairs beautifully with Anfisa's music. What is your artistic philosophy, and how do you intend to communicate this philosophy through your collaboration in "Partenope"? Are there overarching themes you wish to explore in your work?
Giusy: My artistic philosophy is rooted in reimagining reality, transforming familiar elements into something unexpected. With Partenope, I focused on capturing the fluidity and contrasts in Anfisa’s music, using surreal visuals to reflect its emotional depth. The goal was to create a visual language that complements her sound while inviting the audience into an otherworldly experience.
Looking ahead, what are your ambitions as an artist? Are there specific themes or mediums you hope to explore in upcoming collaborations or personal projects? How do you foresee the intersection of visual art and music evolving in your future work?
Giusy: Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore the intersection of digital creation and physical reality. I’m currently learning 3D printing techniques and experimenting with them for fashion design, with plans to start my own fashion brand.
I’m excited about collaborating with musicians by designing custom costumes for their live shows, integrating digital visuals with the costumes to create a more immersive experience.

Interview by @mirawanderlust
Follow @marigoldff & @anfisaletyago