Actuarius is a writer, a painter, a photographer, an engineer – an artist! With a love of speed, an adoration of the machine aesthetic and a desire for sensation there is little wonder that he claims the title of Futurist. No right wing, war loving misogynist though. Change and movement, be it dynamically or philosophically, lies at the heart of Futurism and to unthinkingly follow in the steps of the founding fathers and mothers is anathema.
His interests and passions were formed at a young age, forged in an upbringing that exposed him to Beardsley and Dali, to the Spitfire and the Lightning, to Formula 1 and tilting trains. The poetry of physics has always provided a fascination and a thrill, that and man's extreme applications of the meter of the universe in the pursuit of speed. Other genres are something that he can appreciate for their creativity, beauty or application - but these suffer from having a relative coolness in comparison. Flamboyantly slid cars over the delicacy of ballet moves, the roar of a Merlin aero engine over Mozart – these are what ignite the passion.
However a single flat out life, without variation, would be a dull thing. A rounded life comes from light and shade, from nuances as well as extremes. Thus more contemplative and less visceral moments see a turning to other influences and joys. As might be expected there is a deep love of Art Deco and the Moderne. These beacons within the sea of popular culture that blend the streamlined era with a clean lack of extraneous ornamentation. Elegant visions, minimalist details and the mass produced designs that even now seem to point to a better and more enlightened future. Film Noir is another facet of the jewel of inspiration embedded within. Perhaps seeming to run at a tangent to everything else but look to its roots in German Expressionist cinema. To Fritz Lang and Dr Caligari; then it is not so unexpected. No matter the subject or dynamics though, above all, there is a need for excitement in the act of creativity. Whether extrovertly exuberant or burning deeply within, it doesn't matter so long as it is there.
Actuarius has also established a parallel career as a motoring journalist and photographer. Cause and effect may be clearly visible but this is a different discipline to that of “the creative”. It is hoped that these two spheres compliment and inform each other. A number of articles, photographic galleries and contributions to books in this role provide the raw material for the observer to make up their own mind. Given his wish to engage with the viewer, to allow them to form their own conclusions rather than to arrogantly lead them to a set point – this is entirely appropriate.
Giuppy d’Aura is an Italian writer, and works in fashion marketing and communication. He was born in Sardinia, the coarsest of the Italian regions and a trace of that acidic coarseness is still noticeable in his writing style.
He has a BA in Film Studies and an MA in History of Cinema; Giuppy has also completed a second MA in History and Culture of Fashion at LCF. He considers himself a provocative, sometimes queer, sometimes feminist and other times uber-conservative thinker. Hates political correctness and prefers to go wrong rather than embracing a weak opinion. He has written for many online and printed platforms such as Grazia, Rolling Stone Italia, and Domus Moda.
In September 2018 Giuppy d’Aura’s first novel will be put into print.
Instagram @giuppyadura
Photo Credit: Paolo Scassa