When “art expresses what words cannot, and books put into words what art cannot show”
Vezio Moriconi, a talented artist and bookstore owner, shares his passion for fine arts and literature, and shows how these two arts come together in his daily life. He studied at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara, majoring in sculpture, and now runs the bookstore: La Diffusione del Libro in Lido di Camaiore (Lucca, Italy).
The first time I entered the La Diffusione del Libro I guess I was six years old. I was without any doubt with my father, who already frequented this independent bookstore. Even today, 20 years later, the wooden, ceiling-high shelves still fascinate me as they did then.
Vezio Moriconi is a man who manages to fascinate everyone; his love of life is contagious. He is a figure that is not easily forgotten, not only for his affability and charisma, which make him popular, especially with older women customers, but also for his innate ability to always recommend the right book. His piercing gaze almost seems to be able to read your soul, allowing him to recommend the next life-changing read. We share similar tastes, and long chats about authors, books and new releases are now a constant in my visits to the bookstore: Milan Kundera is our shared love while Emmanuel Carrère is the one for debate.
Vezio, can you tell us about your passion for fine arts and books? How did they originate?
Temporally, the passion for books was born first. I grew up among books since my parents ran a bookstore. The appointment with art came when I felt the need to express myself through drawing and then working with clay. I think that art and literature complement each other. Art expresses what words cannot, and books put into words what art cannot show.
Talking about your art education: how did attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara influence you?
Attending the Carrara school contributed to the development of both technical and stylistic facets. But, of great importance was attending the marble modelling studio of master Renzo Maggi (born in 1944, an artist from Seravezza whose works are now part of public and private collections in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia, ed). Both were life-changing experiences that allowed me to explore my creativity and sharpened my understanding of art. I learned to appreciate art in all its forms and to express my ideas through sculpture and painting
How do you think art and literature influence each other in your life and work?
The two passions are connected. Although I have tried to maintain a distance between the two activities, I believe that literature has been instrumental in my artistic journey. Also, since childhood, art has been a refuge for me. I still remember when I was modelling small figures with clay, fascinated by the possibility of transforming a material into something different, Dali (Dalila his sister, ed) always destroyed everything I made, and it immediately became a tragedy. Literature, on the other hand, despite the family business, crept into my life more gradually: as a teenager, I discovered the power of words and how they could weave stories just as fascinating as the sculptures I was creating. For me, art and literature have always been two sides of the same coin, complementary ways to express my emotions and perceptions and to explore the world around me.
Can you tell us about an artwork and/or book that has had a particular impact on you?
Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being had a great emotional impact on me. Maybe because I read it when I was less than 18 years old. I think it is one of those books that marks a before and after in a person’s life. It stirred something within me and awakened several existential questions that were unexplored at the time. It showed me how complex and contradictory human beings can be, and how exhausting to find a balance in life, a balance that is perhaps always destined to remain precarious, always unbearably light.
In terms of art, one work that has made a profound impression on me is the preparatory drawings of Picasso’s Guernica. Looking at those drawings is absolutely like witnessing the birth of a work of art, it’s like entering the artist’s mind and seeing the creative process in action. They make you realize that art is not only beauty, but it is also commitment, it is testimony, it is struggle.
Your art reflects a strong social component. Can you tell us about how this aspect is reflected in both your work and your artwork?
Living, as we all do, on our skin the events of the contemporary world, the social component has played a fundamental role in my artistic journey.
I firmly believe that art is not an entity unrelated to the world, but rather a reflection of it. Therefore, social issues, and tensions, can only spill over into my work. We are all, in one way or another, products of our time and our social context, and I, as an artist, cannot but feel called upon to respond to these stresses. I believe, and I assure you in not a rhetorical way, that art has great potential in terms of social change. It can give voice to those who do not have one, it can denounce, and it can provoke reflection. In my works, I try to bring attention to issues such as marginalization, alienation, and loss of individual identity in the modern world.
What is your advice to those who wish to pursue a career in art and/or literature?
The main ingredient is undoubtedly passion. Without that, you don’t get very far. And I would advise, young people especially, to stay true to themselves and their passions. Art and literature are difficult fields full of challenges and uncertainties. But if you love what you do, if you are willing to work hard and always learn, then you will have a chance to do something truly meaningful.
Tell us a little about your bookstore, La Diffusione del Libro. What is the philosophy behind that work?
La Diffusione del Libro has a long history. My father, Neri Moriconi, started in 1973 selling books around Italy in a van: his purpose was to bring culture to everyone (hence the name diffusione del libro which means diffusion of the book, ed).
In 1979, the bookstore opened in the location where it still stands today. We continue this adventure, always in the same spirit in which it began. We believe in the power of culture and everyone’s right to access it. Both my collaborators and I try to convey the love for books and what they still represent to readers; we always try to create a welcoming and pleasant environment, where each person feels at ease and where everyone is free to express their passion for books and to share their reading experiences (Prima passione / Secondo noi which means First passion / Then us is the new tagline provided in the restyling, ed).
In all these years, we never stopped believing in what our father had created, which we now want to share with our readers in a new way, by reshaping our image: it is not a radical change, but a renewal inspired by our history. New colours, a new logo, and new gadgets will accompany us from now on.
What is the vision for the future of art and literature? Do you think they will evolve in new and unexpected ways?
We are already in a continuous evolution. However, I still think that the fundamentals remain the cornerstones that facilitate any kind of development. I hope that art can continue to be a medium for the expression of the deepest thoughts and feelings, and literature for the exploration of the various nuances of human experience.
What do you think is the role of technology, understood as social media and artificial intelligence, in the two areas? And about the BookTok phenomenon that has taken hold, what do you think, have you seen changes?
Certainly, there will be continuous developments. Whether the use of technology will be constructive or destructive only time will tell.
Regarding the phenomenon of BookTok, as you call it, I see it as a very good example of how new media have influenced interest in reading in younger people. I have noticed a huge increase in young readers in bookstores, many of them driven by recommendations or reviews seen on TikTok. Of course, this phenomenon has its challenges, such as the risk of oversimplifying literary works or favouring popular titles at the expense of lesser-known ones. However, I think the benefits far outweigh these potential problems. In the end, if BookTok can help spread the love of books and encourage more people to read, then it is a phenomenon to be welcomed with enthusiasm.
As for your art and your bookstore, what are the plans?
La Diffusione del Libro is an ever-evolving project. We are looking to expand, to offer an even wider selection of books and cultural events. We want to create a place where people can come not only to buy books. We are very excited about our new image! It is a small step forward in this long and beautiful adventure and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.
As for my art, I have many ideas and projects in the works. I always like to experiment, explore new ways of expression, and try to push the limits of what I can do as an artist. Maybe you could set up an exhibition for me in Barcelona, what do you think?
