The sculpture “Vortice di Eccellenza” by the artist Federica Zianni (born in 1993, specialized in Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brera), winner of the first edition of “Immagina”, a free competition under 35 promoted by the Mag Group, a historic insurance broker chaired by the Cavaliere del Lavoro Pierluca Impronta, with a profound specialization achieved in the world of Art as a strategic partner for artists, collectors, galleries and cultural institutions.
Proclaimed the winner in July and completed after four months of work, the work project – a sculpture in jesmonite and iron – was assessed as the best representation of MAG’s five identity values: Italianity, Style, Courage, Culture and International Vision , starting from the iconic square, the Group’s identifying graphic line.
A first edition that had a significant success, with over fifty proposals received and the desire to encourage new interpretations: “This initiative intends to show the company’s attention and sensitivity towards visual languages and art worlds and reflects a concrete commitment to promoting culture and supporting emerging creativity. A path that we want to continue to follow towards new expressions of our values, new possible universes”, declares President Impronta.
Creativity and aesthetics, a combination of materials and shapes and attention to detail convey a message of universal excellence: “The predominant square shape symbolizes the solidity and structure of the company while the vortex in the center represents the complexity of its activities and its extension global” says Federica Zianni who, on this occasion, will be rewarded with a sum of money and a scholarship for enrolling in a master’s degree. During the ceremony nine other young artists will receive a plaque for their works deemed worthy.
The projects presented, of a pictorial, sculptural and photographic-digital nature, were examined by a scientific committee chaired by the President of the Pierluca Impronta Group and composed of Cecilia Casorati (Art Critic and Director of the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome); Milo Goj (Art Historian and Professor of Visual Semiotics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan); Daniela Piscitelli (Architect, Graphic Designer and Professor of Industrial Design at the Luigi Vanvitelli University of Caserta); Sergio Risaliti (Director of the Museo Novecento in Florence); Antonio Valentino (President of the Young Collectors Association) and Alessandro Vitiello (Journalist and Gallery Owner), favoring criteria linked to technical and executive quality, originality and the communicative power of ideas.
For the occasion, a catalog was created full of images and summaries of the production phases of the winning work which, following the award ceremony at the MAXXI, will be permanently placed in the MAG Group headquarters in Rome, as an identifying symbol of the company.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Federica Zianni on “Vortice di Eccellenza”
Editor: Welcome, Federica! We’re thrilled to have you here today. Congratulations on winning the inaugural “Immagina” competition with your stunning sculpture “Vortice di Eccellenza.” How does it feel to have your work recognized in such a significant way?
Federica Zianni: Thank you! It’s an incredible honor. Winning this competition means so much to me, not just personally but also as a reflection of my artistic journey. It’s a validation of my hard work and dedication to sculpture.
Editor: “Vortice di Eccellenza” is made of jesmonite and iron. Can you tell us more about your artistic choices in terms of materials and how they reflect the identity values of the MAG Group—Italianity, Style, Courage, Culture, and International Vision?
Federica Zianni: Absolutely! Each material I use plays a role in conveying a message. Jesmonite is a versatile material that symbolizes modernity and innovation, while iron represents strength and resilience. By combining the two, I aimed to create a dialogue between tradition and contemporary art, mirroring the values of MAG. The sculpture’s form also relates to the group’s iconic identity, echoing a sense of movement and evolution.
Editor: It sounds like there’s a deep conceptual foundation behind your work. You mentioned in previous discussions that you want your art to engage viewers on multiple levels. How do you envision “Vortice di Eccellenza” resonating with the audience?
Federica Zianni: I hope it encourages observers to reflect on the balance between tradition and innovation in their own lives. Art has this powerful ability to connect people to broader concepts, such as courage in pursuing one’s ambitions. I want viewers to feel inspired to explore their own creativity and to see the beauty in diversity, which reflects the international vision of MAG.
Editor: The competition you participated in had remarkable success, receiving over fifty proposals from various artists. What do you think attracted so many participants to “Immagina”?
Federica Zianni: The “Immagina” competition is innovative in its focus on young artists and its commitment to fostering new interpretations of cultural values. There’s a hunger among emerging creators to have their voices heard and to collaborate with established institutions. MAG’s support for culture and creativity undoubtedly drew many, as it showcases an understanding of the importance of visual languages in today’s society.
Editor: President Pierluca Impronta described the initiative as a way to promote culture and support emerging creativity. Do you see this competition as a model for other organizations to follow in promoting art and artists?
Federica Zianni: Definitely! Initiatives like “Immagina” can serve as a catalyst for change in how corporations engage with the arts. They create platforms for dialogue and showcase the importance of cultural investment. I believe other organizations can learn from this model, applying similar strategies to foster environments where artists thrive and have their work celebrated.
Editor: Your perspective is truly inspiring, Federica. As you continue to develop as an artist, what new themes or projects are you eager to explore next?
Federica Zianni: I’m constantly exploring themes of identity and connection in my work, and I’m particularly interested in how technology influences our perception of art. My next projects may delve deeper into mixed media and interactive installations—in ways that encourage audience participation and engagement.
Editor: We can’t wait to see what you create next! Thank you for sharing your insights and your creative journey with us. It’s clear that “Vortice di Eccellenza” is just the beginning for you.
Federica Zianni: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my work and thoughts. I’m excited about what the future holds.