Introduction to Carlo Acutis and Rygard
Sometimes, great stories begin with a simple daily gesture. For Mexican artist Ricardo Garduño, known as Rygard, it all started with an Instagram story. During a Levi’s event, Rygard painted his partner’s portrait live on a denim jacket. Someone captured the moment and shared it online, sparking a chain of events that would eventually lead Rygard to the Vatican, with his artwork present during the canonization of young beatified Carlo Acutis, known as the “cyberapostle of the Eucharist.”
Rygard’s Connection with Carlo Acutis
Upon discovering Carlo’s story, Rygard felt a deep connection to his way of living faith in everyday life. He was moved by how, at such a young age, Carlo found transcendence in the Eucharist and his daily routine. Rygard’s motivation was to honor Carlo through art, attempting to translate the inner light he projected.
Rygard’s Artwork: A Blend of Sacred Art and Contemporary Visual Language
Rygard’s artwork dedicated to Carlo Acutis combines traditional sacred art with a contemporary visual language. In this piece, the artist created a “digital halo,” a golden circle that transforms into an electronic circuit instead of a classic halo.
Symbolism in Rygard’s Artwork
The psychology of color plays a central role in the piece. The red shirt represents energy, vitality, and love; the deep blue background alludes to spirituality and the mystery of the sky; while the golden halo and circuits evoke the divine and eternity.
“The chromatic contrast between red, blue, and gold balances earth, sky, and divinity. Thus, the viewer perceives simultaneously the human, spiritual, and transcendent aspects in the same composition,” explains Rygard.
The Power of Art and Technology in Carlo Acutis’ Mission
Rygard’s painting is not just a portrait but a symbolic bridge between the human and the divine, a visual metaphor of Carlo Acutis himself, who managed to make technology an extension of his faith.
“The digital halo is a powerful metaphor of his mission: to sanctify the contemporary, even technology, and put it at the service of faith,” asserts the artist.
Rygard’s Spiritual Experience at the Vatican
Seeing his work in the Vatican was a deeply spiritual moment for Rygard, who viewed it as a shared experience rather than personal triumph.
“I didn’t see it as a personal success, but as an experience we shared, where my art became a silent bridge between Carlo’s faith and those celebrating him as a saint.”
Continuing the Connection Between Art and Transcendence
This connection between art and transcendence continues now with the placement of Rygard’s painting in the Basilica of Zapopan, a gesture he describes with humility and gratitude.
“The Basilica is a sanctuary of faith and hope. I hope that, upon contemplating it, the faithful will feel peace and recognize themselves in Carlo’s luminous gaze.”
Rygard’s Artistic Journey and Philosophy
Rygard is widely recognized for his intervened pianos, works where he fuses music, painting, and surrealism. Despite the changing languages, he finds a connecting thread between both worlds.
“In my pianos, I play with the surreal, the dreamlike; in this painting, I sought the transcendent. In both cases, I aim for the viewer to enter a territory where the ordinary transforms into spiritual or poetic experience.”
Precision in Portraying Carlo Acutis
The precision of the portrait was crucial in conveying both Carlo’s humanity and spiritual dimension.
“I focused on his gaze and gesture. I wanted him to feel close, with the freshness proper of a young man of his age, but also radiate something deeper, a peace that comes not only from him but also from his faith.”
The Role of Art in Sacred Spaces
Perhaps Rygard’s most profound reflection is on the role of art in sacred spaces:
“Art in sacred spaces must be more than mere decoration; it should become a channel of encounter with the divine. The artist has the responsibility to work with truth, respect, and an intention that is prayer rather than exhibition.”
This quote encapsulates the essence of Rygard’s work and, simultaneously, the spirit of Carlo Acutis: a young man who made faith commonplace and transformed technology into a path towards eternity. With his brush, Rygard reminds us that sanctity can also inhabit the 21st century, amidst golden circuits, luminous gazes, and colors that breathe transcendence.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Carlo Acutis? Carlo Acutis was an Italian young man born in 1991, beatified by the Catholic Church in 2020. Known for his deep faith and expertise in computer technology, he dedicated his life to promoting Eucharistic adoration and making the sacrament accessible online.
- Why is Carlo Acutis called the “cyberapostle of the Eucharist”? Carlo used his technical skills to create a global platform for continuous worldwide adoration of the Eucharist, making it accessible to millions of people. His innovative approach to spreading faith through technology earned him this title.
- What is Rygard’s connection to Carlo Acutis? Mexican artist Ricardo Garduño, known as Rygard, felt a deep connection to Carlo’s story and way of living faith in everyday life. He created a digital halo painting as an artistic tribute to honor Carlo’s mission.
- What symbolism is present in Rygard’s artwork dedicated to Carlo Acutis? The painting features a digital halo, symbolizing how Carlo integrated technology as a tool for his faith. The color psychology—red for energy, blue for spirituality, and gold for the divine—balances earth, sky, and divinity.
- What role does art play in Rygard’s perspective on sacred spaces? For Rygard, art in sacred spaces should be more than decoration; it should serve as a channel for encountering the divine. Artists have the responsibility to work with truth, respect, and an intention that is prayer rather than exhibition.
