Lipadusa is a project about the identity of Lampedusa. The island, in spite of itself, has become synonymous of migration, tragedies at sea, despair and misery. This exhibition instead presents Lampedusa’s most authentic and timeless character. The photographs by Calogero Cammalleri, student at Fabrica tell us about the singularity of Lampedusa. Geographically closer to Africa, but politically still Italian, Lampedusa lives a dimension of being not only an isolated island but also a sort of confinement or border, a place of dreams and loneliness. The photographs on display depict the flow of life in Lampedusa: fishermen, children, animals, impressions, dreams, moments captured in black and white and sometimes blurry, in a transfiguration of reality that becomes indefinite. Calogero became a familiar presence for the islanders, enabling him to overcome the initial distrust of those who have seen too many video cameras and photographers in search of a scoop. Calogero is himself a returning emigrant : after leaving Sicily at the age of three with his family for Germany, he returned to his homeland after seventeen years, in search of his origins.
Lipadusa is supported by UNHCR (United Nations High Committee for Refugees). This photo-exhibition “Lipadusa, storie di vita e di mare” has been produced by Museo Civico di Castelbuono, near Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
FABRICA
Fabrica is a communication research centre. It is based in Treviso, Italy, and is an integral part of the Benetton Group. Established in 1994 from a vision of Luciano Benetton, Fabrica offers young people from around the world a one-year scholarship, accommodation and a round-trip ticket to Italy, enabling a highly diverse group of researchers. The range of disciplines is equally diverse, including design, visual communication, photography, interaction, video, music and journalism. Fabrica aims to inspire a specific creative category of young “social catalysts” who, at the end of their experience at the centre, will continue their work independently. Today more than ever, Fabrica’s research is a cross-disciplinary commitment wherein communication interacts with other vital sectors like the economy and social and environmental sciences and, through continual experimentation, is alert to the changes and trends of modern society.
FABRICA’S EDITORIAL AREA
Directed by Enrico Bossan, Fabrica’s Editorial Area, investigates social and cultural change through researching. The challenge is to cover the unseen, the forgotten, and the invisible. The area publishes and distributes books, journalistic reportages, photography projects, narrative works, multimedia and video documentaries.
Exhibition curator: Mauro Bedoni
Designer: Gabriele Riva
