NO WAR. AN EXHIBITION AGAINST WAR

THE INITIATIVE FOR GAZA

Milan, 11th December – Especially in the face of tragical events of the History, it has always happened that intellectuals and artists abandoned their studios and made their voice heard to stimulate a common awareness. When there was the outbreak of Russo-Ukrainian War, Ferruccio Ascari created NOWAR. NOWAR was an environmental installation representing a shout against the war: nowadays he resumes and dedicates that work specifically to Gaza and the terrible genocide which is being committed overthere. The artist feels like fundamental giving his contribution to a common awareness, being conscious that an individual stance is not enough.

At via Confalonieri 36 in Milan, Ferruccio Ascari’s studio hosts works against the war by François Berthoud and Roberto Da Pozzo for the occasion.

STORY OF A MEETING

Ferruccio Ascari, François Berthoud, Roberto Da Pozzo
There is a story behind the initiative “No War” that makes sense to tell: it is the link between three protagonists, in spite of their different paths. At the beginning of 80’s, François Berthoud and Ferruccio Ascari shared their studio at via Villoresi in Milan. This studio was attended regularly by Roberto Da Pozzo as well. It was a place where they exchanged experiences and the personal story of each one linked with their own creative path. In the coming years, they went in different directions, even if contiguous, but that period left a permanent trace in their life. That link re-emerges during this event and sees them all together by a call against the ongoing wars of which we are helpless witnesses during this phase of our history. It is a scary scenario that must be stopped by any means, calling together everyone is sensitive to the destiny of our Earth and its inhabitants.

NO WAR

“When I met them, together with Silvia Negri Firman, offering to deal with the communication of “No War”, for me it was spontaneous asking what pushed them to join this project, how the actual “winds of war” hit their personal experience and if they thought art could mobilise the conscience in some ways.” Daniela Cristadoro, exhibition curator.

“As an artist, I felt the urgence to add my voice, for what it’s worth, to the other ones, saying “no” to this war, to add my “no” to the shout coming from more parts, even though in the mass media it doesn’t find any relevance. I imagined NOWAR as a travelling installation able to multiplicate its meaning during the repetition. I feel like fundamental giving my contribution to a common awareness, because of a minor importance for an individual stance. I am sure that public opinion can play an important role of contrast to the war”. Ferruccio Ascari.

“I feel frustration and the sensation of being powerless…”. François Berthoud.

Nevertheless François feels involved in this project. It is not a coincidence that he joined it with a work, PEACE BOMBS, concerning the war in Vietnam: he affirms that proposing this work again today emphasises the stupidity to start any kind of war, being aware it will bring only desolation and death.

“War has been and is one of the biggest defeats of humanity! I am the son of a partisan who fought the war, nephew of a grandfather who fought two wars. I and my generation didn’t live the war personally. We saw it in movies, books, and TV. By the way, I have always lived war as a human being’s defeat. Mobilising for an idea, for values, ideals is right and proper! We can’t be subjected to it, we must express our opinion by our own means and our language.” Roberto Da Pozzo

Silvia Negri Firman affirms that the suffering caused by a lot of ongoing conflicts, the awareness from their seriousness, but also the friendship with her adventure mates are what pushed her to join this initiative. As all forms of violence, war harms seriously: she wonders how it is possible going that far. She thinks that mobilisation of consciousness is a moral duty for people feeling strong sentiments and indignation towards violence and injustices. She affirms that this is possible to do it if hopefully we find listening and have the chance to have an impact throughout history.

The 25% of exhibited works’ potential sale will be donated to EMERGENCY. In any case, visitors will be able to contribute to fundraising in favour of Emergency buying postcards reproducing exhibiting works with a free offer.