Self-taught, Denis Santachiara was born at Campagnola (Reggio Emilia) in 1951.
He began working as a designer in an automobile styling shop. "I began work in a carrozzeria belonging to the De Tommaso group. That was my first design school, my first approach to this kind of work. A car is a bit of everything: it's technology, it's a lounge, it involves problems of speed, problems of ergonomics. In the '70s there was a bit of a crisis in this kind of work, so I devoted myself to visual arts and began to produce some works within the gallery".
From '75 on, he concerned himself with neo-image and neo-design, with a special interest in research into soft technology and the design of images and objects half-way between art and design.
In his theories and original creations, he has combined technology with magic, multi-functionality with surprise and play. "I seek, through the use of technology in my objects, to conceal the technical logic. The conjuror's strategy: concealing the technical cause to enhance the effect, to demonstrate its playful effect as entertainment to the public".
"Surprise: I believe that objects should always offer little surprises, something to talk about, the same object can do different things".