De tranquillitate animi consists of a series of photo prints on thirteen double-layered organza canvases depicting a body in motion. The body portrayed is Antonio Stella, an actor, dancer and singer. The composition of single diverse fragments of actions recreates a bigger movement: the trace of the moving image. Even though silkscreen printing is usually used to reproduce images in series, just one copy has been printed; hence, every canvas is unique.

The installation was inspired by Lucius Annaeus Seneca's book "On the Balance of the Soul" (De tranquillitate animi) in 62 A.D. The book is an epistolary dialogue between Seneca and his friend Serenus Annaeus. Serenus writes in a letter to Seneca that he is suffering from a state of mind which he calls a disease or defect of character. From Seneca, Serenus expects a name and a cure for this condition.

The guiding principle of the artwork presented is exploring the state of serenity. Balance here is not to be associated with a static stasis indeed. The idea of movement is closer to harmony and openness. Nevertheless, the impossibility of remaining still brings human beings into constant restlessness.

On the occasion of the exhibition at Castello 925, the installation is shown in dialogue with a sound installation from artist Lorenzo Placuzzi, traces of Antonio Stella narrating voice interpreting extracts from Seneca’s book, and a publication available in English and Italian.