Galleria Triphe in Rome, is currently hosting the works of Romicon Revola. In her first solo show in Rome, Vortex, the artist from Bengaluru is exhibiting sculptures, lenticular installations and augmented reality artwork.
Over the years, Romicon has made a name for herself as a visual artist, with works that highlight man’s equation with Nature. While she has tried her hand at using varied media, with Vortex, Romicon has given free rein to her experiments with Augmented Reality (AR).
“I first did a small series of AR art in 2019 and was fascinated by the outcome. However, during the pandemic that followed shortly after, it was got shelved. When this opportunity in Rome came, I saw it as a chance to explore this medium again,” says Romicon.
There is no mistaking the excitement in her voice as we connect over phone, a day after Vortex opened to the public. “I was surprised to see elderly people respond positively to the exhibits. Even though we had the required app ready on a few tabs to make it easier for viewers, they were eager to download it and view it on their own phones.”
Romicon Revola
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Vortex is an interactive exhibition with around 10 works of AR art. “This show has quite a few large pieces and for one, I’ve used the entire wall to make an installation. There is also a rug with my artwork on it — people standing on it believe they are on a frozen lake and they go around, scanning images and exploring the AR works nearby. It is an immersive experience,” she says, talking about the show and its reception.
Romi, as she is popularly known, says her favourite piece from the AR installations is a still image of four green plastic bottles. “But when you scan it with your phone, it transforms into a green jellyfish. Another piece is of a patch of denim that seems to be floating in the air and when you scan it, it morphs into a denim dragon.”
Elaborating on the imagery, she says, “These things. such as plastic bottles and denim, exist because we need them and we consume them, but there’s a price to pay. Fast fashion is not sustainable and though we all love wearing jeans, they are water intensive.”
From Vortex by Romicon Revola
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
“I am not judging or criticising — these are some things I would like to talk about, in a fun, engaging way. It has always been my philosophy to trigger thought in viewers’ minds or spark a conversation. Perhaps, when they go back home they’ll turn off a tap sooner or make more mindful decisions.”
“I feel any art experience is transformative. It may not be overt, it may not always be obvious, but it does impact your thoughts and eventually, your actions.”
Trees, butterflies and spheres are recurring motifs in Romi’s work, and in Vortex too, the butterfly makes an appearance. “This particular exhibition, plays up the tension between human activity and Nature’s resilience,” says Romi, adding, “Most of the imagery is about human consumption and transforming an object of daily use into an organic object.”
Scene switch
While the immersive experience is a huge part of Romi’s show, another segment of Vortex comprises lenticular art. Three-dimensional or 3D art is one way to explain lenticular art in layman’s terms.
From Vortex by Romicon Revola
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
“The title of the show is inspired by one of the pieces. It is the face of a lady with her eyes closed; from one angle, you can see images of leaves, roots and blooms, while from another side, one can see the vortex in a whirlwind made of plastic bottles,” says Romi.
She adds that almost all of the 10 lenticular works are of female faces, with a narrative on animals or climate change. “On one side you will see organic elements and on the other, a frozen lake or a tree that has been submerged — much like the effect and counter effect of what is happening in Nature.”
“It is also about how Nature takes everything we do and creates a hybrid. It is more resilient than we give it credit for. Sometimes, interesting hybrid forms emerge out of this synthesis and that is something I’ve touched upon through these works as well,” says Romi.
Vortex was curated by Maria Laura Perilli, founder of Galleria Triphe in Rome, and was inaugurated on April 10, 2025. The exhibition which includes 24 pieces by Romicon Revola including sculptures, lenticular art and Augmented Reality installations will be on display till June 30, 2025.
Published – April 23, 2025 05:32 pm IST
