Chicca: something unique, precious, unheard of, and almost perfect.

Like any other country, when we think about Italy, our minds make automatic associations to a false reality that has developed over time.The Italy that consists of pizza, pasta, mafia, and mandolins has yet to let go of the stereotype that the world has made of us. One that we as Italians have accepted, rode the wave, and portrayed it widely.

However, Italy is more than just the warm weather, the sea, good food, and the so-called Dolce Vita. The complicated reality is that when you live in Italy you want to leave, but when you do so, the need to share what makes you Italian is evermore present. Italy is a cultural and historically rich land, and this project aims to depict a hidden side of Italy, highlighting the subtleties that go beyond the stereotypical image of the country and actually define us as Italians. For this reason, from north to south and for the past four months, I immersed myself in the various Italian traditions and folklore aiming to portray a vibrant and picturesque image of the country’s spirit. Bringing to light national, rural, and familial traditions.

Photographing the tensions and harmonies between the sacred and profane, and finding myself face to face with religious symbols.