Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice, one which, according to some scholars, dates back to prehistoric and pre-religious times, and originated with the Tungus peoples of Siberia. However, we find evidence of similar practices in all world cultures, from the use of ritual musical instruments among Native Americans, to ritual practices in the Maya civilisation, in the spiritualism of Australian Aborigines and in Celtic civilisation.
THE ORIGIN
But also in classical Greek civilisation, as Carl Gustav Jung understood with his theory of archetypes and as Richard Dodds demonstrated in his famous essay ‘The Greeks and the Irrational’. But even more surprisingly, today we see the resurgence of a great interest in shamanism and spirituality right at the heart of modern materialism and even more so in contemporary societies.
Stefano Simontacchi
The Prism
The Prism is Stefano Simontacchi, who through his art embarks on an experiential journey of awareness and reconnection with nature, the universe, and a higher reality that can be defined as “Spirit.”
The Prism is a way of conceiving life, represented by The Prism Way, a series of principles of approach to existence that range from the invitation to “discover your purpose” to make a decision to achieve it, and finally, maintaining the basic gratitude for the gift of existence.
The first public presentation of the works of The Prism took place in 2023 with the Project Revelation, in the headquarters of a former bank a few steps from Piazza Affari; it is an immersive spiritual journey in seven rooms that the spectator was invited to explore and which concluded with the most “elevated” room, that of the appointment with oneself.
At the Vittoriale degli Italiani in 2023 the work Life Journey – a transformative and alchemical work – was installed on loan, presented and commented on with a talk as part of the Metaverse study day. A Hypercultural Journey
In early 2024, The Prism Core Center was inaugurated in Milan, a free-access exhibition and research center where Project Revelation found its permanent home, where meetings with intellectuals, scientists, and writers were held, and in whose spaces Emotional Journey was set up, an unprecedented artistic journey marked by a series of works capable of arousing emotional reactions.
Some luminous portals were installed (March 2024) at INNEReSCAPE, an “inhabitable work of art” created by architect Stefano Tozzi in a fascinating historic building in the center of Florence.
One of the most engaging emotional gateways of The Prism was exhibited in the Press Lounge of Opificio 31 during the Milan Design Week – Tortona Rocks April 2024.
In May 2024, the important exhibition at the Consulate General of New York took place, in the presence of the Consul and a selected audience, the first international excursion of the works of the Prism; at the same time, during New York Design Week, several portals are presented in the Flexform flagship store in Manhattan.
In October 2024, Entanglement will take place, The Prism’s first solo exhibition in a public museum, the Mo.Ca – Centro per le Nuove Culture in Brescia. The exhibition, set in the frescoed spaces of the historic Palazzo Martinengo Colleoni di Malpaga, takes its inspiration from the title of a work by the artist inspired by the famous quantum experiment between subatomic particles.
In November, The Prism will be a special guest of the Salwa Zeidan Gallery, which will present a selection of works at the Abu Dhabi Art Fair (20-24 November 2024).
From 15 November to 1 December 2024 – in collaboration with Acone Associati – Urban Project will come to life, the projection of portals on the large urban LED walls that dot the centre of the city of Milan: through the QR code that accompanies the images, it is possible to access the site and download a meditative path to follow individually in the heart of the city.
In 2025, The Prism becomes the first Italian artist to exhibit a solo show in Abu Dhabi:from March 12 to August 31, 2025 – with the patronage of the Embassy of Italy and sponsorship by RIMOND – two different exhibition paths are on display at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation.
Project Oneness is an immersive journey that highlights the artistic and spiritual depth of The Prism, with installations that transform light and space into unforgettable experiences.
Trust, Gratitude and Love Journey leads visitors to discover the three fundamental principles Trust, Gratitude and Love through contemporary materials and timeless symbols.
In June 10, 2025 the artworks of The Prism are the protagonists of Private View, a private gallery created by Stefano Pirrone and Massimo Ferrarotti for Mediolanum in Padova.
From July 5 to September 4, at Museo Ignazio Cerio in Capri, Sacred Blue – Homage to the Blue Island takes shape with the Patronage of the municipalities of Capri and Anacapri. A new solo exhibition that combines art and spirituality through the use of the color blue, symbol of cosmic energy and inner transformation.
At ArtParma Fair 2025, The Prism win the 12th edition of the Banca Mediolanum Award with his artwork Fire Elements | Sacred Red.
In December 18, 2025 The Prism’s emotional portals return to Milan at Le Prive, Palazzo dell’Orologio, Duomo. Here, The Prism’s “spiritual” artworks engage in artistic dialogue with pieces by Alighiero Boetti, Christo, Lucio Fontana, and Mimmo Rotella: an encounter that transforms into cultural strategy and a vision for collecting.
Marco Senaldi
Curator
Marco Senaldi, philosopher and contemporary art theorist, has curated international exhibitions, including Critical Quest (with A. Galletta, 1993), Cover Theory (2003), Il marmo e la celluloide (2006), Fuori Fuoco – visioni video (2012), Sul limite di un’altra soglia. Andrea Santarlasci (2014), Birdman – Desire to Fly (2015); Francesco Lauretta. Due Volte (2018); Il Piede. Dario Bellini (2022). He has published numerous essays intersecting philosophy and art, including Definitively Unfinished. Filosofia dell’arte contemporanea (2012), Obversione. Media e disidentità (2014; 2023 II ed.) recently Duchamp. La scienza dell’arte (2019; French translation 2022).
He is the television author of cultural programmes for Canale 5, Italia Uno and RAI Tre and in 2019, he created (with Alessandra Galletta) Genio & Sregolatezza. Arte e storia in Italia for RAI Storia. His articles have appeared in Flash Art, Il Manifesto, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, Interni, and he writes the column “In fondo in fondo”; in Artribune. He is Professor of Media Aesthetics at the Brera Academy, Milan, and, since 2023, Artistic Director of LABA Libera Accademia di Belle Arti Brescia e Trentino (Free Academy Fine Arts Brescia and Trentino).
Sergio Lella
CEO The Prism
Sergio Lella graduated in Copywriting at the IED Institute in Milan.
He boasts thirty years of know-how in creative and artistic direction within the marketing and advertising sector. He has collected important experiences in different realities, such as Jakala and Tequila Italia.
He currently works as a Marketing Consultant at Diagon, embracing The Prism project in a disruptive, unconventional way, contributing to its promotion and affirmation.