photo: Mirella & Augusto De Bernardi
When we think about “Italy” we instantly have a pre-made set of clichés and stereotypes in our head. We think of pizza, pasta and icecream. We think of a hot-blooded and passionate people. We think of La Dolce Vita. And of Dolce & Gabbana. We think of a country with a glorious past, but also of one with a very fragile and weakened present. The proud Italians are deeply hurt in their pride about what has become of their once so great nation. The Italian youth is utterly lost and disoriented about the meaning of their own identity and worried about their uncertain future.
The performance piece To This Purpose Only is reflecting on the contradiction that Italy is facing right now. Old cherrished rituals and traditions overlap and merge with the new uncertain and alienating conditions of the nowadays unstable country. The directorial duo Matanicola who also brought us the amazing piece bodySLANGuage at Ballhaus Ost last year are responsible for this new production together with the performers of Fattoria Vittadini who already celebrated great success with it on their Italian tour and are now finally premiering in Germany at Radialsysteme this weekend. More impressions and a trailer after the jump.
color photos: Ilaria Costanzo, b/w photos: Mirella & Augusto De Bernardi
