On October 23, 2024, The Block Museum of Art hosted a conversation between artist Federico Solmi and Ozge Samanci, Associate Professor in the School of Communication, moderated by exhibition curator Janet Dees. The evening highlighted Solmi’s immersive installation, “The Great Farce,” an intense, satirical exploration of power and historical narratives, on display at the museum. Through satire, Solmi’s work confronts traditional views of history, urging viewers to question how past events are presented and interpreted today.

The Block’s director, Lisa Corrin, opened the event by thanking Solmi for his donation of “The Great Farce” to the museum, calling it a work that “invites us to think critically about history and its relevance now.”

Describing his journey to create “The Great Farce,” Solmi, originally from Italy, explained that his immigrant experience in America inspired him to research the country’s history. Drawn to Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, Solmi said he wanted to explore hidden aspects of American history. Satire, he noted, provided a way to address difficult themes without alienating the audience.

“I learned through artists like Goya and writers like Orwell that if you want to critique power structures, you have to portray them in a way that diminishes their grandeur”

Samanci, a Northwestern professor and media artist, added her perspective, sharing her own experiences of growing up in Turkey and navigating political unrest. Through graphic novels and media art, Samanci critiques power and capitalism, particularly in her explorations of environmental issues. She noted that both she and Solmi use technology to deepen viewer engagement with critical content. “As artists, we can tackle universal concerns about democracy and authoritarianism,” Samanci remarked, underscoring art’s ability to bridge cultural divides.

The artists discussed the complex technical process behind The Great Farce, which blends video game technology with traditional painting. Solmi described using motion capture and video game engines to animate the figures, highlighting his desire to combine modern technology with the organic texture of hand-painted visuals.

“The technology serves the message. I’m not a tech person by nature, but these tools tell stories in new ways.”

Samanci agreed, emphasizing that technology is merely a vehicle for conveying ideas. Both artists shared a commitment to using digital tools not as ends in themselves but as ways to invite audiences into deeper reflection on the work’s message.The audience Q&A sparked a powerful discussion on the role of art amid today’s constant exposure to global crises. Solmi and Samanci stressed that while artists may not be able to end these events, they can bring attention to them, fostering empathy and critical thought.

Watch the Conversation