What is the best thing that I love about my work?

Certainly when I transmit the artistic poetics of an artist with simple words and when the observer is captured by them.

What is my idea of happiness?

Knowing that I have made the best of the path established to achieve the final good: to make the artist known to a wider audience.

What is my greatest fear?

I fear the failure and disappoint those who believe in me.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Sometimes I was shy and I let some good times pass.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

I don’t admire any art critic in particular. Everyone has an own artistic vision and an own way to expressing it in words.

What is my greatest extravagance?

It makes me laugh but I put the books in order of size even if it would be more correct in alphabetical order.

On what occasion would I lie?

I think I have never lied in my profession: if an artist does not transmit anything to me I say to him/her clearly and I don’t represent the artist. I don’t find lying to be professional.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

The art market is very competitive and there is a lot of envy and malice. Many don’t work for art but only for the final gain.

When and where was I happiest, in my work?

When I started presenting art exhibitions even before I graduated in Art History and Critics: it was a great satisfaction.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

Perhaps I am often too straightforward and direct. I should practice diplomacy a bit more

What is my greatest achievement in work?

I have always cultivated my work as an art critic with passion, education and professionalism and this has bought me many friendships with artists from every school. Here is my great success: being surrounded by art as I always wanted.

Where would I most like to live?

Where I live now… with my family, my books and my paintings.

What is my most treasured possession?

My culture and my background that nobody can never take away from me.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I think my characteristics are precision, flexibility and professionalism that always went on a single track.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

When I was in Milan my favorite place was the Brera district and the artist’ studios. Now that I am here in Holland I feel comfortable in the center of Groningen.

What books influenced my life and how?

Two books have influenced my life: Cristiane F. Wir kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo and La casa de los espiritus of Isabel Allende. The first showed me how dangerous drugs are and the second for the mix of reality and fantasy that leads to a more visionary reality.

You only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Better not to think about death and live day by day…

Who are my hero and heroines in real life?

My heroes are my parents because they have transmitted and given all of themselves; my university professor of artistic literature who has given me the key to the world; and all the female painters who have challenged their time in the past.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Everyone has own tastes so it is impossible to recommend one film exclusively. However, I have seen many times Memory of a Geisha directed in 2005 by Rob Marshall even if the book written by Arthur Golden is clearly superior.

What role plays art in my life and work?

Art is my life! My past, my present and my future: my whole existence revolves around art.

What to the words “You are the storyteller of your own life to me”?

Each of us with an own personality creates his own story. If I was to be the narrator of my story I would continue on this path showing passion and seriousness with a pinch of pepper and irony.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My biggest partner in crime is definitely my husband and then all the artists who support me.

Which people or companies would like to work with in 2020?

In 2020 I would like to collaborate with Thim Muskee and his art gallery in Groningen. While in Italy I would like to continue collaborating with the various different galleries and spaces with which I have worked with in the past.

Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would I love to meet in 2020?

I would like to get to know the Dutch gallery owners in order to establish a beautiful artistic relationship between Italy and the Netherlands.

What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?

For 2020/2021 I am working on creating a select group of Italian artists whom are worth it to make known in Holland with exhibitions and events. Artists who will displayed in my future art gallery in Oosterwolde, near Groningen, and who will participate in the project “a painting for rent”.

Where can you see me or my work in 2020?

You can see me on my website www.criticoarte.org and on my Facebook page (https://m.facebook.com/ public/Elisa-Manzoni) and Linkedin page (https://www.linkedin.com/elisa-manzoni).

What do the words “Passion never retires” mean to me?

My passion for art will accompany me as long as I have breath because in every corner of every city my eyes see and feel art and history.

How can you contact me?

My e-mail is: elisavosmanzoni@gmail.com