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Una Favola Vera
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Microscope Gallery, NY, NY

 

Una Favola Vera (A True Fairytale): Stop action animation, using plasticine, 8'07"



Inspired by an unaccomplished personal project, in this animation I’m exploring ideas of intention, extension and failed romanticism.

I used images and texts from mass produced postcards, packaging, calendar booklets, books, posters and pamphlets that were created and used as political propaganda devices for the invasion of Ethiopia by Fascist Italy during WWII. Some of these prints were on the front covers of school notebooks, some were games that taught the geography, history, and natural resources of Ethiopia. In some games, the winner was the first to capture the capital city, Addis Ababa.

Benito Mussolini, the leader of the National Fascist Party called Ethiopia “a place in the sun”. The second invasion was not only a vengeance for the surprising victory of an African empire over Italy in the battle of Adwa, 1896 A.D. but also to acquire natural resources with which to tackle the Great Depression.

Romanticism is extremism, it is a way of longing for a utopic condition through fantastical imagination. A utopia signifies a perfect or ideal place however directly translated the word means "no place". To say the least, one person's concept of a perfect place is not necessarily another's. No utopia is for all.

During the 5 years of Italian occupation, the supermacist, fetishized and brutal vision also resulted in the spending of millions building roads especially and prosperous new neighborhoods (some for the purpose of segregation) at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives.

 

Thank You for the extensive research materials: The Wolfsonian–Florida International University

Exhibtions/ Screenings

2021: 2021: "Drakeness", Microscope Gallery, NY, NY (solo)
"Memory is a Labour, Not a Luxury", Onion City Experimental Film and Video Festival (Best of Fest Award)
"True Fairy Tales", presented by Microscope Gallery
"The favourites", The Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève
2020: "Noir, Noir: Meditations on African Cinema and its Influence", Prizm Art Fair

 

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