From where did your love for art and Artisse come from?
The love of art I think is one thing I've always possessed since, at a very young age together with my father, I walked around galleries, antique shops and museums, experiencing a strong emotion and value of the "things" that I saw and that had made their authors immortal. As for Artisse, this began for these reasons and because of an almost banal consideration: that most people, even educated, while having the ability and desire, often do not buy artwork because frightened by a market that appears difficult and cumbersome so end up abandoning the purchase. Through Artisse we try to ensure that those who want to get closer to possessing a work of art feel somehow accompanied. In fact, Artisse chooses, with the help of important critics and academics, great talents and looks after the communication, events and promotion strengthening their growth in the art market. I love to consider our collectors small shareholders "no-risk", risk free. They purchase one of our art works, they place it in their home enjoying possessing it. We of Artisse, through substantial investments aimed at promoting and publicizing the works of our authors, guarantee the revaluation protecting their money.

Do you feel close to any particular artistic current or an artist of the past?
I very much love the Impressionists and the way they break off with tradition, but at the same time what I am passionate about is Cezanne, because he "recuperates" the link with history revaluating the "form" and laying the groundwork for so-called modern art: Cubism of Picasso and Braque.

Who are your most loved painters?
Obviously those who are part of my "team": Vincenzo Musardo, Giulio Serafini, Leonardo Chionna, Susi Zucchi, Carla Insalata, etc.

Has your approach to art influenced your life positively?
Of course! But I believe that is something that applies to anyone who has any kind of relationship with art, because I am convinced that it nourishes that drop of sacred blood that is in each one of us.

What advice would you give to a young talented artist who is approaching the world of art for the first time?

Work hard, keep on painting to overcome contemporary influences and find ways to express their personality

How do you see the prospect for art in Italy?

I am sorry to say but it generally looks pretty decadent due to a frantic search of a scoop or the flattening of what is “fashionable” at the moment on the market.

What is more important skill or luck?
Luck may facilitate skill, but can not invent it.

What kind of relationship have you established with the artists of Artisse represented by you?
We are all part of the same project and everyone works with the maximum effort in full cooperation and availability, while respecting the role of each other and of our collectors who have shown us so much trust.

Which artist are you closer to ? Is there a reason?
Vincenzo Musardo. I think I can say it without hurting anyone's feelings. I purchased his first work 25 years ago spending the entire fee of my first job. He's a brilliant Artist, authoritative chronicler of his time, keeper of forty years of history of art, forerunner of the times to come. He's a great master, a certain point of reference in all these years. He cultivated in me this great passion and taught me to believe in it.

Three rules for buying a beautiful art work?
If you cannot rely on Artisse you must, whilst listening to your emotions buy the work of an artist which has an original idea; that is done with mastery; that is "recognizable". Basically what you should look for in an artist is: geniality, technique and recognisability.

Most admired historical figure?
Giacomo Casanova. Of course, not so much for his gallant meetings but for the fortune to have had the opportunity to meet many of the greats of his time: Rousseau, Voltaire, Mozart etc.

What qualities do you note more in a person?
Loyalty, generosity and intellectual honesty.

Describe yourself with three virtues and three faults.
Only three? Handsome, agreeable and smart. And I could go on endlessly. Three faults? Very, very, very modest, as you will have noticed.

What annoys you most in life and in human relations?

Greed, meanness and unfairness.

In everyday life what are the main activities that fill your day?
Work and family.

What is your favourite dish?
Pasta cooked in any way and ... I think you can see from my size!

Does Ezio Nimis cook?
Only when hungry.

The ideal place for your holiday?
The sea of our Salento.

What perfume does Ezio Nimis use?
cK, Calvin Klein.

Which watch are you fond of?
El Primero by Zenith, one of the most amazing mechanical movements of the last hundred years.

Ezio Nimis’s car, one you have and one that you would like?
Mercedes CLK convertible; I already have what I like.

A project for the future?
"Open Cavalli d’Autore" in the Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2009. A project conceived and desired by the C.E.O of sistemaeventi.it, former Endurance world champion, Gianluca Laliscia and myself that sees us busy from 5 September in Assisi, Perugia and Spello, an occasion in which ten installations will be presented showing life-size horses. Ten sculptures by Vincenzo Musardo which are "interpreted" and personalized by many great talents selected amongst established artists, architects, designers and creative people: Antonelli, Baldassarre, Boltro, Chionna, Colleoni, Napolitano, Palumbo, Quarti, Serafini, Zucchi. An event which will host thirty countries of the world and their respective institutional representatives: Prime Ministers, Kings and Sheiks and that will combine within its splendid setting, that of Assisi, sport, art, culture and business at the highest levels. The website of the event is: www.assisiendurancelifestyle.it.

A dream?

To admire the works of my Artists exhibited in the most important museums of the world and believe me, not so much for economic gratification from which we would all benefit, but because I am sure that they deserve to be there; and then to be able to demonstrate to those who have believed in me, artists and collectors, that they had seen right and that the dream that united us was not an utopia.