Last year Drowned Madonna had the chance to meet Giovanni Bianco, the graphic designer who worked on Madonna's re-Invention tour book. Along with our friend Giovanni we decided to push back the premiere of this interview till spring 2005, in time to celebrate the first anniversary of the re-Invention Tour which opened in Los Angeles in May 2004.

Drowned Madonna: Welcome Giovanni to Drowned Madonna. How did you start your career as an artist?

Giovanni Bianco: It all began when I used to work at the fruit market with my father Graziano. I started working with him when I was 5. By the way I would arrange the fruit I realized I had a predisposition for esthetics, colours and harmony.

DM: Where did you do your studies and what kind of experience did you develop in your career as an artist?

GB: I did my studies as a civil engineer in Rio De Janeiro. After that, I studied painting and history of art, while all the skills I have as a graphic designer I got from work experience.

DM: How did you first get in touch with Madonna?

GB: Thanks to the photographer Steven Klein, it's him who gave me this wonderful present!

DM: Did you get in touch directly with her or with her staff? Have you ever met her personally?

GB: I met her twice, and for a couple of months I've been working with her brilliant staff. I did most of the work with Steven Klein.

DM: Had Madonna seen some of your work beforehand?

GB: I guess so. The "W" magazine, which is the first work I did with her and Steven Klein, and also "X-STaTIC-PRO=CeSS", the book I designed for Steven Klein.

DM: Tell us something about the design and concept that lie beneath the Tour Book of the re-Invention Tour. Did you have a clear idea about how to do it right from the start, or you got the inspiration from the material you were sent?

GB: When you work with Madonna and Steven Klein half of the staff you're going to do is already quite clear. They know very well what they want. You must be good at making the best out of it. I worked a lot with Photoshop... not just me, obviously, but my precious assistants too!

DM: Beside Photoshop, what design software do you use?

GB: All the programmes available for MAC OSX.

DM: To what extent did Madonna influence the creation of the Tour Book? Did you feel you were allowed to work freely?

GB: As I told you, she decides it all, she knows what it is to be done and you're supposed to do your best! But then, yes, I felt free to work on her ideas.

DM: Giovanni, is it true that the cats appearing on the Tour Book were conceived as pink coloured and then got airbrushed?

GB: No. Never heard of this.

DM: A gossip?

GB: Totally.

DM: In general, what do you think about Steven Klein’s work? And what about "X-STaTIC-PRO=CeSS"?

GB: What could I say? He's always been my source of inspiration, he's a genius, a bit hard to deal with as all geniuses are, but he's someone who can make a difference, he astonishes me all the time!

DM: You worked for Dsquared, Dolce & Gabbana, Nike. Do you prefer to work in the fashion industry or with artists such as Madonna? What are the main differences?

GB: I like working in the fashion industry. In ten years I learned a lot, but working with such an artist as Madonna has been just great. I've been very lucky, it was the first time I worked for a musician and I happened to work with OUR QUEEN!

DM: What do you like about your job? And what do you dislike?

GB: I don't like the lack of a daily routine, every day is different from the previous one and it's basically impossible to lead an ordinary life like everybody else does!

DM: What does a city like New York offer a young person who dreams of a career like yours? And what are the dangers one might come across?

GB: What's good about New York is that it's really the centre of the world, and artists often rise to worldwide prominence rather quickly. After September 11th its "energetic" atmosphere has been going down a bit. However, now it seems things are getting better again.

DM: How do you manage to come over tough moments?

GB: It happens all the time! I go through lots of tough times, thank God! It's the only way we can move over to more interesting things, you're required to expand your knowledge and start over again!

DM: Are you always satisfied with your work?

GB: It's hard to tell, Let's say I'm lucky! Because I love my job!

DM: Let's talk about Madonna again... How long have you been a Madonna fan?

GB: I've always been a fan of hers. When I lived in Rio I realised the world was immense and I discovered this woman who made me dream of a different world, a colourful one!

DM: What do you like best in her 20-year production? And what do you like least?

GB: I guess we should see her production as a whole, not just bits and pieces! She did build a world, and I like it all. What I might like least is unimportant if compared to the superb way she has built this world of hers.

DM: You travel very often to Italy. As you well know, we are Italian. Are there cities or places in Italy which you consider as a source of inspiration?

GB: Italy flows in my veins! Everything is a source of inspiration in Italy, even just drinking a coffee with a croissant, Corso Magenta in Milan. These are places and pleasures which have always inspired me throughout my life.

DM: What are your plans for the future?

GB: The only plan I've had for ages is losing weight. Unfortunately it's like a disease...

DM: Will you work with Madonna again?

GB: Who knows! It would be another dream! And I've already seen such a dream come true once...