Revisiting Inspiration with Delfina Delettrez and Nico Vascellari

This conversation has been recorded as part of Art:LIVE, an online programme created in collaboration with Deutsche Bank. Devised for audiences in a more distanced world, the content opens doors to inspiring spaces and important conversations, and offers exclusive access to artists, collectors, curators, and creatives in diverse fields. 

Watch the full broadcast here

Taking the theme of ‘Reflect, Refocus, Reset’, this edition responds to the cautious optimism of the present moment and lessons from the recent past, and includes: an intimate talk with Marina Abramovic in her NYC loft; a tour with Jessica Morgan through the expanded Dia:Chelsea, re-opening after two years of renovation, and the new site-specific commission by Lucy Raven; a conversation with jewellery designer Delfina Delettrez and artist Nico Vascellari at their home in Rome; and a reflection by architect Annabelle Selldorf on her career and practice, following her landmark collaboration with the Frick Collection on its relocation to Marcel Breuer’s former Whitney Museum.

Delfina Delettrez Fendi is a designer and jeweller based in Rome, Italy. She founded her namesake label Delfina Delettrez in 2007, creating fashion jewellery and fine jewellery pieces in partnership with local goldsmiths and artisans. A fourth generation Fendi woman, Delfina has spent her life surrounded by the ingenious creative spirit of the Fendi matriarchy and the savoir-faire of the Roman ateliers.

Stemming from Delfina’s passion for Italian culture and love of the natural world (seen through both a micro and macro lens), her body of work spans moments of subversive classicism, figurative Surrealism and natural iconography – evolving deeply personal collections of lyrical jewellery imbued with alchemical narratives. Reflecting on the organic relationship between a woman and the jewellery she wears, Delfina’s work embraces kinetic components and static elements that suggest movement. Phantom settings create the illusion of floating precious stones, metal is worked in fluid suspensions, and unexpected combinations of colour and scale create bold dialogues between diamonds, pearls and precious stones. Encouraging asymmetry and individuality, Delfina was one of the pioneering forces behind the phenomena of the single earring, proposing unique statements designed to be worn alone or in harmonious compositions, from the celebrated anatomical series of eyes, lips and noses to elaborate one-of-a-kind cuffs. Her articulated designs subvert the codes of cocktail jewellery and engagement rings, ornamental brooches, tennis bracelets and other traditional heirlooms — provoking a sensual and witty exchange with the plastic arts, subcultural movements, and the history of jewellery itself. 

Delfina Delettrez designs are handmade in Rome by expert goldsmiths, applying both traditional goldsmithing techniques and innovative 3D printing techniques.

Nico Vascellari lives and works in Rome. His work is constantly bridging between diverse and heterogeneous mediums, such as performance, sculpture, video art, large multimedia bodies of works mainly investigating on the relationship between nature and men. His approach aims to reach and entangle with hybrid social layers, always meaning to stimulate a dialogue between his art and a varied range of audience. 

Among his most significant solo exhibitions: MAXXI | Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo, Rome (2018); Palais De Tokyo, Paris (2017); Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester (2016); Accademia di Francia - Villa Medici, Rome (2016); Estorick Collection, London (2016); and National Gallery of Arts, Tirana (2015) amongst others. His work has been featured in the 52nd Venice Biennale (2007); Manifesta 7 (2008); 15th Quadriennale in Rome (2008); 12th Architecture Biennale in Venice (2010); Lyon Biennale (2019); October Salon, Belgrade (2021). His work has been exhibited in prestigious Institutions such as Museo del Novecento, Milan; Fondation Beyeler Basel; Riga Art Space, Riga; La Maison Rouge, Paris; MAK, Wien; Kunsthaus, Graz; Palazzo Reale, Milan; Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin and many others. His work is part of several international collections, including: Deutsche Bank, Milan; Macro - Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Roma, Rome; MAXXI | Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo Rome; Museion, Bolzano; Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester; MUSAC - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León, Leon.