THE ART AS A TOOL FOR INVESTIGATION
Simone Benedetto is among the most versatile and multifaceted sculptors of contemporary times, an artist who has been able to explore and experiment with a wide range of materials and techniques.
During his studies at the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti, he had the opportunity to experiment with a wide variety of materials, ranging from concrete to resins and silicones, eventually arriving at bronze — a medium that enriched his artistic experience and expressive abilities. In Simone Benedetto’s art, the combination of diverse sculptural techniques with a realistic and unexpected outcome allows for the exploration of complex social themes, revealing the contradictions of everyday life through a perspective that is both intimate and original. His art poses difficult yet necessary questions, inviting deep reflection on our own being and the world that surrounds us.
PLAY, CHILDHOOD, AND SOCIAL UPHEAVALS: THE ARCHETYPES OF HIS RESEARCH
The sculptures in the Animal Soul series perfectly embody the archetypes of childhood and play, blending human and animal traits in a dialogue that evokes the merging of these two dimensions. Through his works, Benedetto explores a psychological transformation connected to the development of personality and the free expression of one’s childlike nature. The human figures he portrays are crystallized in a moment of “pure thought,” a stage in which they remain deeply connected to their inner self, expressed through their animal traits. It is a representation that captures the authenticity and spontaneity typical of childhood — that magical time unbound by constraints or preconceptions.
At the same time, Benedetto also addresses the impact of technology on everyday life, particularly that of younger generations. His works invite reflection on the growing dependence on social media and smartphones, while also revealing the dramatic consequences of the relentless demand for minerals from developing countries. This constant demand not only harms the environment but also leads to inhumane working conditions for the people forced to labor in the mines.
Through his work, Benedetto urges us to consider how our daily choices affect not only our own lives but also the lives of people far from us, creating a powerful social and political message that is deeply intertwined with his artistic exploration.
AN ARTISTIC AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT
Simone Benedetto has focused his research on social themes, and this inclination led him to participate in S.O.S Humanity, an exhibition held in 2022 and 2023 in collaboration with the Cavaliere del Lavoro Alberto Giacomini Foundation. Benedetto collaborated with artists such as Helidon Xhixha and Omar Hassan to highlight the challenges faced by new generations, particularly digital natives, who live in a world where the boundaries between real and virtual life blur, resulting in isolation and dependency.
His monumental sculptures, such as the gigantic Sex Teddy and Teddyguns Bear, serve as symbols of social critique and the defense of childhood innocence, evoking a world now largely lost. With site-specific works installed in evocative locations like Lake Orta and Villa Motta, Benedetto has made art accessible to a wider audience, fostering a profound dialogue on the transformations of the human spirit.
On the occasion of the Animal Soul exhibition, organized by Gruppo Building at the gallery within the prestigious Rationalist palace Domus Lascaris in Turin, Benedetto further explored human psychology and personality development, using the archetypes of play and childhood to depict the profound connection between young people and their inner selves.
These exhibitions not only highlight contemporary issues but also convey a message of hope, inviting viewers to reconnect with the fairy-tale vision of the world that every child should experience.