In Costa's work the human figure is apparently absent. The city takes its place as a living being that grows and develops following the instincts written in the genetic code of its creators. At the heart of the work is the relationship between man, in his action and nature. Landscape as a key element of individual and social well-being should be safeguarded, planned, organized and managed in accordance with rights and responsibilities for everyone. The reckless use of land and its recources for years perpetrated by man compromised, perhaps irreversibly, those biological and chemical processes that support life on earth. Costa’s research moves from the urgent need to reflect on the significance of the interaction between man and the environment, not only in search of new sustainable technologies to solve development problems resulting from a resource-hunger, but rather to formulate a new concept of life style.

“ The focus of my artistic experimentation is creation of images with a bold visual impact that could represent the delicate, controversial relationship between human beings and nature. Since the City(e)scapes cycle, I have worked on images of anthill cities, places dominated by irrational urban development that have grown on the basis of an order of which we are unaware, like cells that have gone crazy and replicated out of control.”

Giacomo Costa interviewed by Luca Beatrice

Giacomo Costa's work will also be on display at this year's Venice Architecture Biennale from 22 May to 21 November 2021.