Who is Giovanni Butera?
Chief Executive Officer of Nixora Group and Chairman of GAIA – Global Association of International Artists. I am someone who has worked successfully for most of my life in the banking industry but who has also found inspiration in ART as a compliment to my working life, which led to the creation of GAIA – Global Association of International Artists. Art gives me a different perspective on life, provides motivation and drive. GAIA is a not-for-profit arts organisation that brings diverse artists to Melbourne and organises events for these artists. The first was with Adele Ceraudo, then twice with famed milliner Stefano Costabile, and for this November GAIA has organised The Holy Shroud exhibition at SpACE@Collins, which feature the work of Veronica Piraccini.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’ve been through good and bad times, but considering where I am now I appreciate all of the experiences I went through. If there were something I could change then it would be the hours in the day.
Who inspires you and why?
Elon Musk, the co-founder and owner of Tesla. One of the reasons is because he is person who believes that if you fail at something but did all you possibly could to make it a success, then it’s not a failure.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Well, the objective of GAIA is to enable artists to travel overseas and express their own culture, traditions, folklore through art, but also to discover and be inspired by the folklore and traditions of other cultures as a way to understanding each other and promoting social cohesion globally.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Italy, always my first thought as a holiday destination because it was once my home. My home is now Melbourne and so for me a relaxing holiday is going back home to Italy and spending time with my family, my mother and father … though I’m not so sure it’s relaxing for them.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
What I do first is to take them for a car ride across the Bolte Bridge, because it gives them another view of Melbourne, a really good sense of the city, its density and scope. But also the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Sydney Road in Brunswick and South Bank for a relaxing walk along the Yarra River.
What are you currently reading?
Data Science for Professionals, which is a very interesting reading because of the work I do. The way I look at data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence is almost as … a different and unusual form or art.
What are you currently listening to?
A chill-out compilation put out by Ludovico Einaudi, but also Emma Shapplin and an Italian song writer and singer, Lucio Dalla.
Happiness is?
For me, happiness is my daughter Luna. She is a source of inspiration in every part of my life.
What does the future hold for you?
I have no idea and, sincerely, I like it like that!
Giovanni is the Chairman of GAIA – Global Association of International Artists – who is presenting The Holy Shroud – an immersive experience by celebrated Italian artist Veronica Piraccini at SpACE@Collins, Melbourne: 15 – 24 November 2019. For more information, visit: www.artgaianet.org for details.
Image: Giovanni Butera (supplied)