We get the Maestro, Michelangelo Pistoletto, to put his thoughts on paper, with a little background info for some context

In February 2019, Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto came to Singapore to unveil The Third Paradise concept to the art community in Singapore, and during his stay here, he sat down to a private dinner with selected Robb Report Singapore readers, unveiled a living artwork made from red sessile joyweed plant on the green roof of Nanyang Technological University (NTU)’s School of Art, Design and Media and held an intimate panel with art enthusiasts to further dissect the importance of The Third Paradise in the 21st century. The Maestro also took time to sit down with Robb Report Singapore‘s raving reporter Andrew Leci, talking about his decades-long career and sharing his thought process in the form of cute doodles.

What is your favourite mode of transport?

The question was almost rhetorical. Pistoletto has been a keen skier throughout his life, even taking exams in the early 1970s in order to qualify as an instructor. Downhill or slalom? “Downhill… fast.”

What is your favourite food?

At first, it looks like a piece of fruit that’s been patched up and that’s not far from the truth. “This is the apple, in nature,” says Pistoletto, “and to the right is the artificial escape. This is what we have done. The artificial world has totally eaten into nature.”

What is your favourite type of pasta?

It was going to be my first question. I’m glad it wasn’t. Even pasta can be turned into something meaningful by the artist as he recreates The Third Paradise symbol with multiple felt-tipped pens. “This is Third Paradise spaghetti,” he says, smiling.

The full story is available in the March 2019 edition of Robb Report Singapore; get the annual print subscription delivered to your doorstep or read on the go with a digital subscription.