Approaching the Science of Imaginary Solutions
A painter and visual artist active since the mid-1990s, Giovanni Ricciardi came to Pataphysics through his friendship and ongoing dialogue with leading artists and intellectuals of the Neapolitan scene, most notably Luigi “LuCa” Castellano, founder of the Istituto Patafisico Partenopeo, and his own father, the sculptor Mri-Mario Ricciardi. Together with the members of the Istituto Patafisico Partenopeo, he took an active part in the historic phase that saw the artist Mario Persico become Regent of the Neapolitan institute.
In 2001 he furthered this path by taking part in Patafluens, the renowned international festival of Pataphysics held in Casalmaggiore, where he formed ties with great masters of the movement such as Enrico Baj.
The decisive step towards an international dimension came in 2006, at the pataphysical gathering in Poggibonsi. There Ricciardi met the Transcendent Satrap Edoardo Sanguineti and made his first contacts with the Collège de ‘Pataphysique, meeting the Transcendent Satraps Thieri Foulc and Fernando Arrabal. Since then he has maintained a close relationship with Paris, which he visits regularly, in continuous dialogue with the Collège, the heart of world Pataphysics since 1948.
Appointments and Honours
Appointment as Pataphysician
Istitutum Pataphysicum Partenopeo, Naples
He received his first formal investiture within the Italian pataphysical hierarchy directly from the hands of the Regent of the Neapolitan institute, the artist Mario Persico.
Second Appointment as Pataphysician
Décollage de ‘Pataphysique, São Paulo (Brazil)
A significant transatlantic recognition that strengthened and internationalised his network of relationships in the Jarryan world.
Foundation and Patastrophic Regency
Autoclave di Estrazioni Patafisiche (Autoclave of Pataphysical Extractions), Milan
He co-founded in Milan this centre for advanced patadiagnostic studies and took on its highest office, that of Patastrophic Regent. The institution is still active today, under constant and immovable pressure.
On rare and extraordinary occasions it promulgates solemn external appointments, such as the diploma conferred on the singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela in 2025, during the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of his album Canzoni a Manovella at the Casa di Riposo per Musicisti “Giuseppe Verdi” in Milan.
The history of the institute, its documents and official minutes can be consulted on the website of the Autoclave di Estrazioni Patafisiche.
Emphyteutic Correspondent and Exquisite Commander of the Order of the Grand Gidouille
Collège de ‘Pataphysique, Paris
Crowning the birth of the Autoclave, the Collège ratified the Milanese institute. The Transcendent Satraps Thieri Foulc and Fernando Arrabal, whom he had met in Poggibonsi two years earlier, conferred on him the titles of Correspondant Emphytéote (Emphyteutic Correspondent) and Commandeur Exquis (Exquisite Commander) of the Order of the Grand Gidouille.
Creator and International Coordinator
Patakosmos, world map of pataphysical institutes
He conceived, designed and launched the first global digital platform that maps and connects the pataphysical institutes and circles active on the planet, today a historiographical point of reference for the contemporary movement.