The Edge Effect, the exhibition that tries to define a new concept of Italianness

The Edge Effect, is the exhibition on contemporary Italian identity on display at Marsèll from 11 to 26 November 2021, curated by Chiara Nonino, photo editor for Vogue, and Jordan Anderson, creative director and editor-at-large at nss magazine. "Edge effect" is an expression that in ecology is used to indicate a transition area where two different ecosystems meet, mix and merge with the result of an increase in biodiversity, as well as in the density of organisms, a fitting metaphor to narrate the reality that surrounds us and a perfect title to synthesize the meaning of the exhibition.

In the tension between localism and globalization, between virtual existence without borders and an increasingly fragmented social and political reality, artistic practice seems to become the best way to reflect on belonging to a community, and in many cases to define it. The artists exhibited show a new, fluid, ever-changing idea, far from stereotypes and standardizations, of what it means to be Italian, in which borders and nationalities seem to be outdated concepts.

Karim El Maktafi, Alba Zari, Vashish Soobah, Marzio Emilio Villa and Kelly Costigliolo, for example, start from family history and everyday life. Sam Gregg with Riccardo Maria Chiacchio, and Jon Emmony for Del Core choose the language of fashion, bending it to a very personal use. Kamilia Kard and Karol Sudolski lay bare the paradoxes of our digital projections. And Elena Cremona with Isabelle Landicho and Rachele Maistrello demonstrate how far the exchange between cultures can go. Common stories, but neglected by a country that constantly looks away and too often behind it, with the aim of creating a new idea of ​​community.