Be or not to be Italian… This is the question!

ITALIAN VERSION

Ah povera Italia ma quando cambierai? Ma soprattutto… Quando ti evolverai? Questo sfogo è la conseguenza di fatti realmente accaduti a cui purtroppo ho assistito ed anche se inutile, ho ritenuto doveroso riportarvi di seguito. Giovedì scorso, il 17/03/2011 ricorrevano i 150 anni dell’Unità d’Italia (http://www.italiaunita150.it/), un giorno da festeggiare, vivere e tramandare. Con questo ibrido di emozioni ho affrontato la giornata di giovedì, ma questo spirito di “vero” Italiano per un dì, era lo stesso dell’altra parte di miei connazionali o no? Il dilemma esiste, ambiguo e controverso… La scorsa settimana ero a Napoli, ospite di alcuni miei cari amici. Mi sarei trattenuto per l’intera durata, ma il 4° giorno (sarà perchè dopo tre, l’ospite emana un’odore ittico nauseabondo) giovedì appunto, son dovuto filar via “all’Inglese” per far ritorno nella capitale e non mancare a questo appuntamento con la storia. L’alba del gran giorno era giunta, fascia tricolore al braccio, salgo sull’Inter City che mi riporterà a Roma, con tre fermate intermedie prima di arrivare a destinazione, la 1a tappa è Aversa (CE), ed è da qui che si verificano le prime crepe. Premetto una considerazione… Amo viaggiare in treno, più che con l’aereo, forse perchè il viaggio in treno avviene sulla terra ferma e puoi vedere un mondo che scorre velocemente, fatto di solidi castelli e non quello al di là delle nuvole. Incontrare persone sconosciute che non rivedrai mai più, osservare i loro volti, incrociare quegli sguardi così cupi e solari e provare a capire cosa passa per le loro menti in quel preciso istante. Ognuno con il suo segreto, la sua storia, incontro al proprio destino. Un’esperienza antropologica ogni volta sempre diversa, che non ha prezzo e da non sottovalutare. Questo è il viaggio in treno! Così sull’Inter City, entro nello scompartimento ed estirpo (grazie alla prenotazione effettuata il giorno prima) il mio posto di diritto ad un signore che lo aveva occupato in precedenza abusivamente. Evidentemente occupare posti senza prenotazione è una pratica abbastanza frequente! Una volta che mi sono accomodato, gli altri miei compagni di viaggio non possono fare a meno di notare il tricolore che porto al braccio sinistro, al chè c’è gente che non sa rinunciare alla propria battuta, piovono nei confronti del sottoscritto commenti con un velo di cinismo, del tipo… “Lei va a Roma a manifestare, invece di risolvere i problemi seri!” Come se io avessi il potere; evidentemente il signore (protagonista di lì a poco di un episodio agghiacciante) ex ferroviere, deve avermi scambiato per qualche politico. Bah! Dopo questa prima sparata di cazzo, arriva la successiva, che è più poetica, un proverbiale detto napoletano… “Festa, farina e forca.” Ne lascio a voi l’interpretazione! Ecco che finalmente si verifica il fattaccio che fa gelare il sangue. Il signore, ex ferroviere (che mi aveva precedentemente ammonito circa la mia partecipazione alla Festa dell’Unità) è seduto alla mia destra, la cui attenzione viene richiamata quando una giovane donna gli fa notare che sta occupando il suo posto prenotato. L’ex dipendente di Trenitalia con una tale veemenza replica alla ragazza… “E a me che me ne importa, mi fa male la schiena!” La ragazza allibita, fugge via sconvolta e noi altri occupanti dello scompartimento, restiamo completamente attoniti. Come per dire… “Non è possibile!” Al che dopo un attimo che avevo realizzato cos’era successo, mi fiondo in direzione della ragazza e le dico… “Stà tranquilla ed occupa pure il mio posto!” La ragazza pur apprezzando il mio gesto, declina dicendomi… “Scusa, ma vicino a quello stronzo non voglio sedermi!” Va via e scompare tra una carrozza e l’altra. E chi può biasimare la sua reazione?! Il mio atto anche se poi si è rivelato un buco nell’acqua, voleva essere una soluzione pacifica per accomodare le cose nel migliore dei modi. Perchè se da una parte la signorina aveva ragione da vendere, dall’altra c’era questo cialtrone che passava per vittima parandosi il culo dietro i suoi “malandati” 65/70 anni, gli stessi che avrebbe mio padre oggi. Ripreso il posto, sono stato quasi tentato di strappar via la fascia tricolore e riflettere su questo… “Ma chi cazzo me lo ha fatto fare? Sto vecchio di merda (con il massimo rispetto per la 3a età), un attimo prima era venuto a farmi la morale sulla Festa e i problemi del Paese… Ed io cosa dovrei fare? Scendere in piazza e andare a rappresentare lui ed altri come lui? E magari alla fine, perchè no?! Gridare anche; viva l’Italia!” Sarcasmo a parte; la giornata non poteva iniziare meglio di così! La fascia resta dov’è e gli animali mangiano, fottono e se ne fregano. Voi che dite? Se al posto della ragazza ci fosse stata una donna ingravidata, questo bifolco in pensione avrebbe alzato il deretano dalla poltrona per cederle il posto? Il vero problema è che siamo in mezzo due fuochi… Sul fronte settentrionale c’è la Lega Nord, che dall’alto dei suoi “miseri” 21 anni di vita è ritornata ancora una volta sulla solita menata della secessione, tentando (con scarso successo) di boicottare la festa dei 150 anni del Bel Paese. Sul fronte meridionale viceversa, ci sono questi parassiti neoborbonici a cui devi tenere testa. “Ah Garibaldi cos’hai fatto?!” Per citare una celebre battuta dell’immenso Totò. Il viaggio continua e dopo le tappe di Formia (LT) e Latina arrivo alla stazione di Roma Termini, mi precipito al capolinea dell’ATAC e salgo sull’autobus che mi porta ai piedi del Vittoriano per assistere al 1° degli eventi salienti di questa memorabile giornata. Seguo la cerimonia di Giorgio che rende omaggio al Milite Ignoto, con una Piazza Venezia gremita da una moltitudine di persone; padri e madri con i figli sulle spalle, giovani innamorati, qualche cane con bandana tricolore legata al collo e perfino qualche anziano nostalgico che sventolava la bandiera monarchica. Che ironìa della sorte a pensare che 71 anni prima, in quella stessa piazza dalla finestra dell’omonimo Palazzo, Mussolini annunciava l’entrata in guerra dell’Italia nel 2° conflitto mondiale. L’itinerario degli eventi prosegue al Pantheon, dove il nostro Presidente visita la tomba del 1° Re d’Italia, Vittorio Emanuele II, Padre della Patria. Da questo momento in poi, la Festa per me è finita a differenza degli altri. Vado via tutto sommato contento con uno zaino pieno di ricordi. Qualche rimpianto? Soltanto uno! Avrei voluto vedere, gli stessi Italiani che hanno esultato alla Coppa del Mondo di calcio nel 2006, ad essere sempre Italiani e non solo in occasione di competizioni sportive di un certo spessore. E perchè no… Voglio esprimere anche un desiderio! Possa essere il 17 Marzo, non solo la festa nazionale per il 2011 ma evidenziata in rosso su tutti i calendari degli anni a venire; come lo è il 4 Luglio per gli Stati Uniti d’America o se preferite, come il 14 Luglio per la Francia. L’illusione continua, rientro nella giungla lottando per tentare di sopravvivere.

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ENGLISH VERSION

Poor Italy when you’ll change? But most of all… When you’ll evolve? This outburst is the answer to true facts to witch i unfortunately i attended and even is useless, i felt to compelled to write. Last thursday, 03/17/2011 resorted the 150th Anniversary of Unification of Italy(http://www.italiaunita150.it/), a day to celebrate, live and pass on. I dealt whit this hybrid of emotions on last thursday, but was that “real” Italian spirit the same for the other Italians or not? Dilemma exists, so ambiguous and controversial… Last week i was in Naples, guest of my dear friends. I wanted to stay longer in Naples, but the 4th day (maybe after 3rd day the guest as a smelly fish) note thursday,  i had to go away look like an “English”, to come back in Rome and don’t miss at this date with history. Sunrise of the Day was come, tricolor flag linked to the arm then i get the Inter City train that will take me back, with three stop stations before reaching its destination, 1st stop is Aversa (Caserta district), and is from here that anything goes wrong. I just premise an account… I love trips by train, much more than by plane, maybe cause train trip takes place on land and you can see a world who runs very fast, with hard castles and not beyond the clouds. Meeting strangers who don’t ever see them again, looking their faces, crossed eyes so dark and shiny and try to understand what they think at that moment. Everyone with its own secret, its story, meeting his fate. Always it’s a different antropological experience, who is priceless and shouldn’t be underestimated. That’s train trip! So inside Inter City, i got my rightful position (thanks to reservation of the day before) from by a man who had squatted. Clearly get positions without reservation is a fairly common practice! Once i’ve settled, my other fellow travelers can’t help but notice the tricolor flag that i dress on my left arm, so there are people who can not renounce his own joke, throw up against me comments a bit cynical… “You are going to Rome for show, instead to solve the serious troubles!” Like if i had power; clearly the man (player after of a chilling episode) former railroader must have me confused with any politician. Bah! After this crazy answer, it comes the next, more poetic, classic Neapolitan proverb… “Party, flour and fork.” I leave you the interpretation! Here’s finally comes the bad fact that freezes the blood. The man, former railroader (who had me previously warned about my presence at Unification Day) is sitting to my right, whose attention is called when a young woman points out that is occupying its booked postion. The Trenitalia’s former railroader with such vehemence answers to the girl… “And to me that I care, I hurt my back!” The girl is shocked and goes quickly away, and we other occupants of the compartment, we remain totally astonished. How to say … “Unbelieveble!” At that after a while i realized what had happened, i sling in the direction of the girl and tell her … “He’s quiet and takes my place too!” She also appreciating my gesture, refuses, saying … “Excuse me, but close to that asshole didn’t want to sit down!” She goes away and disappears into a carriage and another. And who can blame her reaction?! My act even though he has been a hole in the water, he wanted to be a peaceful solution to accommodate things in the best possible way. Because on one hand the young lady was right to sell, the other was this rascal who passed for the victim defending its arse behind his “shabby” 65/70 years old, my father was the same old just today. Taken place, i was tempted to tear off the tricolor flag and think about this … “But who the hell made me do?” I’m old shit (with the utmost respect for the third age), just before he came to me on the moral party and the country’s problems … And what am i supposed to do? Get in the square and go to represent him and others like him? And maybe the end, why not? Shouting; Long live Italy! ” Sarcasm aside, the day could not start better than that! The band is and where the animals eat, fuck and do not care. What do you say? If instead of the girl there was a woman became pregnant, this would raise the retirement redneck ass from the chair to cede the place? The real problem is that we are in the middle of two fires … On the northern front there is the Lega Nord, which from its “paltry” 21 years of life has returned once again brought her usual on secession, trying (with little success) to boycott the celebration of 150 years of the Bel Paese . On the southern front the other hand, there are these parasites that you must keep up neoborbonici. “Ah Garibaldi what you did?!” To quote a famous line of Totò. The journey continues and after the stages of Formia (Latina district) and Latina arrival at the Rome Termini station, the terminal of ATAC and i rush to get on the bus that brings me to the foot of the Vittorano to attend the 1st of the salient events of this memorable day. I follow the ceremony that Giorgio pays tribute to the Unknown Soldier’s memorial, with Piazza Venezia crowded with a multitude of people, fathers and mothers with children on their shoulders, young lovers, a dog with tricolor flag tied around his neck and even any oldman nostalgic waving the monarchical flag. What an irony of fate to think that 71 years earlier, in the same homonym Palace from the window, Mussolini announced its entry into the war in the 2nd World War. The itinerary of events continues at the Pantheon, where our President visited the tomb of the 1st King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II, Father of this Country. From now the party is over for me unlike the others. I go away altogether happy with a backpack full of memories. Any regret? Only one! I wanted to see, the same Italians who cheered for the FIFA World Cup 2006, to be more Italian and not just at awesome sporting events. And why not … I want to express a wish! Would be March 17th, not only the national day in 2011 but highlighted in red on all the calendars for the next years, how it’s July 4th for the U.S.A. or if you prefer, like July 14 for the France. The illusion to be continued, i come back in the jungle groped struggling to survive.

After Xmas (War Will Be Over)

ITALIAN VERSION

E così… Anche il 2010 è passato! Non c’è che dire, un anno che non dimenticherò mai; questo è poco ma sicuro! Ne son capitate di cose; 2 eventi però hanno segnato perennemente l’anno appena trascorso, un capitolo importante di una vita di merda. 2 emozioni concomitanti, una di gioia e l’altra di dolore; le 2 facce della stessa medaglia. La 1a è l’amore per una donna meravigliosa, molto intelligente, umile e comprensiva come poche a questo mondo. Di quelle che sanno ascoltare il cuore delle persone e ne decifrano i sogni. Ed anche se alla fine quella donna è diventata un aquilone rapito dal vento, la porterò sempre nel cuore ovunque sarò. La 2a è stata la morte di mio padre. Negli ultimi anni non abbiamo avuto un bel rapporto, probabilmente a causa del mio spirito libero e ribelle che è stato più volte motivo di contrasto fra noi, ciononostante volevo bene a quel vecchio e ahimé… L’ho capito quando era già troppo tardi. “Povero papà, non meritavi di finire in questo modo… Se avessi potuto, me ne sarei andato io al tuo posto.” Ma come si dice in questi casi… “L’uomo propone e Dio dispone.” Nel suo ultimo minuto di vita, lo fissai dritto negli occhi, tenni la sua mano fino a che non spirò per abbandonarmi poi ad un mare di lacrime. Piansi come un bambino, e infine presi la sua fede nuziale che aveva sempre portato con orgoglio per 28 anni e me la infilai all’anulare destro. Ho sempre pensato che il Natale fosse “la festa della Famiglia” prima ancora della ricorrenza della nascita di Cristo. Per me (forse a torto), è un giorno come un altro, da quando disertai la vigilia di Natale del 2002 e da lì altre ancora; per non essere complice del gioco ipocrita di zii e cugini. Dal momento che il mio papà non c’è più, la Famiglia è ufficialmente spaccata. E’ come potare i rami di una quercia plurisecolare; in cui azzeri tutto e ricordi e persone muoiono con l’ultimo anno che ti sei lasciato alle spalle. Un addio alla vita passata.

Lo scorso 8 Dicembre ricorreva il 30° Anniversario della morte di un uomo che divenne una leggenda, un’icona del Pacifismo; John Lennon. Alle 04 : 51 del giorno dopo (John Lennon fu ucciso a New York l’8 Dicembre 1980 alle 22 : 51) realizzai uno stencil modificato di Lennon tratto da una celebre fotografia, dipinto sul muro di una caserma militare. John Lennon immortalato con indosso la sua giacca dell’esercito americano, è fermo inginocchiato con un barattolo di vernice rossa in una mano ed il pennello nell’altra dopo aver scritto;

WAR WILL BE OVER!

La suddetta frase è una parodia in chiave moderna della famosa canzone di John Lennon scritta a 4 mani con Yoko Ono nel 1971; “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”. Fu concepita come canzone di protesta contro la guerra in Vietnam fino a diventare un classico del repertorio natalizio. La storia si ripete 40 anni dopo e in contesti diversi, ma il tema della guerra resta. Quel messaggio potrebbe presagire la fine della “sporca guerra” in Afghanistan e perchè no… L’invito a prevenire l’imminente minaccia di un’ipotetica guerra nucleare, se i test eseguiti dalla Corea del Nord (9° paese al mondo a disporre della bomba atomica ed il 3° più militarizzato) avessero conseguenze disastrose. La solita vecchia solfa… Uomini che odiano altri uomini, che si scontrano fra loro in un gioco del domino con armi di distruzione di massa invece delle comuni tessere. Le guerre di qualunque entità siano portano solo distruzione, tristezza e rabbia. Perciò onde evitare questo, auguro a voi tutti un Anno Nuovo di pace e amore, ed altri che spero verranno.

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ENGLISH VERSION

So… 2010 is gone! I’ll never forget this year, that’s for sure! It happened some things, however, 2 events have forever marked the past year, an important chapter of a damned life. 2 concomitant emotions, one of joy and pain of the other, the 2 sides of the same medal. The 1st is the love by a wonder woman, very intelligent, humble and understanding like few in this world. Of those who know how to listen to people’s hearts and deciphered dreams. And though in the end the woman has become a kite gone with the wind i’ll take her always in my heart. The 2nd was about the death of my father. In the last 10 years we didn’t have a good relationship, probably cause of my free spirit and rebel who has often been cause for conflict between us, yet i loved that old man and… I knew when it was already too late. “Poor Dad, you didn’t deserve to end up this way… If i could, i would leave me in your place.” But how to say in these cases… “Man proposes and God disposes.” In his last minute of life, stared straight into my eyes, i held his hand until he died to indulge in a sea of tears. I cried like a kid, and then took his wedding ring he had always worn with pride for 28 years and i slipped the ring on the right annular. I always thought that Christmas was “the Family Day” before the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. For me (perhaps wrongly), is a day like any other, since Christmas Eve of 2002, and from there yet others, not to be complicit in the hypocritical game of uncles and cousins. Right now my dad is gone, the Family is officially split. It’s how to prune the branches of a very old oak, and memories that resets everything and people die with the last year that you left behind. A farewell to the past life.

On December 8th was the 30th Anniversary’s death of a man who became a legend, an icon of Pacifism, John Lennon. At 04 : 51 a.m. day after (John Lennon was murdered in New York on December 8, 1980 at 10 : 51 p.m.) i realized an amended stencil of Lennon from a famous photo, painting on the wall of a military barracks. John Lennon immortalized wearing his U.S. Army jacket, is still kneeling with a can of red paint in one hand and brush in the other after wroten;

WAR WILL BE OVER!

This phrase is a parody of a modern popular song written by John Lennon with Yoko Ono in 1971, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”. It was conceived as a protest song against the war in Vietnam to become a classic of the Christmas hit list. History repeats itself 40 years later and in different contexts, but the theme of war remains. That message could presage the end of the “dirty war” in Afghanistan and why not… The call to prevent the imminent threat of a hypothetical nuclear war, if the tests carried out by North Korea (9 th country in the world to have the atomic bomb and the 3rd most militarized) if will have disastrous consequences. The same old story… Men who hate other men, who face each other in a game of dominoes with weapons of mass destruction instead of the common cards. The wars of any size have only bring destruction, sadness and anger. So to avoid this, i wish you all a happy New Year of peace and love, and hope that others will come.

Fighting Mafia!

 

ITALIAN VERSION

 

“La Mafia è un fenomeno umano e come tutti i fenomeni umani ha un principio, una sua evoluzione e avrà quindi anche una fine.”

Giovanni Falcone

 

“Chi ha paura muore ogni giorno, chi non ha paura muore una volta sola.”

Paolo Borsellino

 

 

Frasi didattiche pronunciate da uomini diversi, ma che insieme affrontarono una grande sfida; la lotta alla Mafia. Prima Falcone poi Borsellino erano arrivati ad un passo dalla verità, una verità che paradossalmente conoscono anche i bambini… I legami che coesistono tra Politica, Finanza e Criminalità. Perirono gli uomini e nacquero degli eroi. Forse sono un illuso, uno di quei tanti che sono convinti sia possibile cambiare il corso degli eventi. Ma è errato auspicare in realtà quella che ancora oggi è un’utopìa?

Attualmente la Mafia italiana è retta da 4 colonne portanti;

• Cosa Nostra
• ‘Ndrangheta
• Camorra
• Sacra Corona Unita

Casualmente queste organizzazioni criminali oggi, sono radicate in 4 regioni del Sud Italia, in un territorio che… Fino al 1860 era noto come Regno delle Due Sicilie. Ce ne sarebbero di temi da affrontare in merito, davvero tanti! Ma oggi mi limito a scrivere una storia di Camorra, una pagina sul Clan dei Casalesi. Tutto ebbe inizio alla fine di Agosto 2009, ero a casa mia, a Roma… Avevo ricevuto la telefonata di un amico e collega di Caserta, Elp Supra che mi invitava a dipingere nella sua città. Così dopo 1 settimana da quella telefonata; preparai la valigia, salii in macchina e partii alla volta di Caserta dove arrivai l’8 Settembre. Lavorammo a diversi progetti durante la mia permanenza, dipingendo tra Caserta e Napoli, poi… Dopo 6 giorni, Supra mi portò in una vecchia cava abbandonata da 15 anni e sottoposta a sequestro giudiziario. Eravamo in uno dei luoghi del Sistema, gli stessi descritti da Roberto Saviano nel suo Gomorra. Da alcuni dati emersi su Internet (http://appinter.csm.it/incontri/relaz/18979.pdf), sono risultate fuori notizie sconcertanti sulla “Cava Statuto” di San Prisco (CE). La cava è intestata ad una prestanome del Clan dei Casalesi, inoltre l’intera area è contaminata dall’enorme presenza di amianto. Una discarica a cielo aperto. Un danno ambientale di immani proporzioni, con qualche episodio di cronaca nera nel suo oscuro passato (http://www.casertanews.it/public/articoli/200803/art_20080307004132.htm). Questa è solo una delle tante cave abusive dislocate nel distretto di Caserta (http://www.napoliassise.it/assise10-06-2007.pdf); immaginate quel territorio affetto da un tumore ai polmoni, ci son buchi dappertutto. Eh si! Perchè è proprio di tumori che si parla in questo post. The Lancet Oncology, ha dichiarato in un suo articolo di qualche anno fa che nel territorio di Caserta, è stato registrato un aumento drammatico dell’8% di cancro ai polmoni e alle vie biliari, causato dallo smaltimento di rifiuti tossici provenienti da aziende del Nord Italia riversato in cave come questa e nei terreni agricoli circostanti, avvelenandoli. Il Clan dei Casalesi ha tratto un profitto di 500.000.000 di Euro da una sola di queste sporche operazioni. Pertanto se una vittima innocente dei Casalesi non cade sotto un torrente di fuoco, muore comunque di cancro (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangolo_della_morte_Acerra-Nola-Marigliano). Il politico, “l’uomo ombra” dei Casalesi al Governo ed anche il maggior responsabile dello smaltimento dei rifiuti tossici in Campania è stato l’On. Nicola Cosentino che dal 12 Maggio 2008 al 14 Luglio 2010 ricopriva la carica di Sottosegretario al Ministero dell’Economia e delle Finanze. Ma lo smaltimento dei rifiuti, non è che la punta dell’iceberg, alla base resta lo scempio di aver distrutto la natura (in questo caso una montagna sventrata), la morfologia è notevolmente mutata, ma in peggio. Un luogo spaventoso ma affascinante nello stesso tempo. Spaventoso per il degrado, e odore di morte che si respirava, affascinante invece per la presenza invitante di ciò che rimaneva delle vecchie strutture precedentemente installate; quelle betoniere che una volta divoravano la roccia e vomitavano cemento per la costruzione delle nostre belle case. Era il teatro perfetto dove rappresentare un’opera di denuncia, una massiccia azione di vendetta. Volevo che il mio fosse un atto di suprema giustizia in nome di tutta la scia di morti innocenti che la Camorra e le altre Mafie avevano perpetrato fino a questo momento. Il giorno stesso in cui terminai il progetto, non era un giorno come un altro. In quel 18 Settembre 2009 ricorreva il 1° Anniversario della Strage di Castel Volturno, di conseguenza è stata anche un’occasione per onorare la memoria di quei 6 africani, vittime ancora una volta innocenti della ferocia del Clan dei Casalesi. Credetemi se vi scrivo che abbiamo molto da imparare noi italiani dai fratelli africani. Loro che già nell’attimo in cui mettono piede in Italia con l’ottimismo e la speranza di un futuro migliore, portano sulle loro spalle il fardello di doversi integrare, condannati all’emarginazione del nostro razzismo, ciononostante mantengono intatta quella forza d’animo che io personalmente invidio. Ci hanno dato una lezione di vita, organizzando quella rivolta il giorno seguente alla strage, manifestando nelle strade di Castel Volturno la loro rabbia per i fratelli assassinati.

Il messaggio tuttavia che provo a comunicare è rivolto a quelle persone, agli abitanti di Caserta e provincia (anche a quei Casalesi onesti), che ancora oggi attaccano Roberto Saviano invece di ringraziarlo e supportarlo per ciò che ha fatto e sta ancora facendo. Saviano si è esposto in 1a linea sul fronte e portando a termine la sua crociata, si è rovinato la vita non solo per una parte ma per tutti gli oltre 60.000.000 di italiani. Non dimenticatelo mai! E’ però alle nuove generazioni, ai figli del 3° Millennio che dedico questo intervento di guerriglia al Sistema. Non inseguite i miti da evitare, non emulate camorristi e mafiosi per essere grandi uomini. Il grande uomo è colui che con onestà, fatica e determinazione, conquista un gradino sulla scala del mondo.

 

“I burocrati non vogliono che tu esista, loro hanno altre idee, ragionano in termini di schemi, di numeri. Noi no! Sono gli uomini l’importante, le emozioni dentro a quegli uomini, le loro famiglie, la storia dentro ognuno di noi.”

Capitano Ultimo

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ENGLISH VERSION

 

“The Mafia is a human phenomenon and thus, like all human phenomena, it has had a beginning and an evolution, and will also have an end.”

Giovanni Falcone

“He who is silent and bows his head dies every time he does so. He who speaks aloud and walks with his head held high dies only once.”

Paolo Borsellino

Teaching quotes, sentences spoken by different men, but together they faced an awesome challenge; the fight against Mafia. Falcone before, Borsellino after so they were come at one step from the truth, a truth which paradoxically kids also know… Connections that coexist between Politics, Finance and Criminality. Men were killed and heroes were born. Maybe i’m a silly man, one of many who are convinced that’s possible to change the course of events. But is wrong to hope into reality what’s still now an utopia?

Actually italian Mafia is supported by 4 pillars;

• Cosa Nostra
• ‘Ndrangheta
• Camorra
• Sacra Corona Unita

 

 

Coincidentally today these criminal organizations, are rooted in 4 South Italy’s regions, around an area that… Until 1860 was known as Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. There should be issues to be analyzed about Mafia, but today i just write a Camorra story, a page on Casalesi Clan. It all started in the end of August 2009, i was to my home, in Rome… I received a phone call by a friend of mine and artist, Elp Supra invited me to paint in his city. So, 1 week after from call; i prepared the bag, i got into the car and i departed for Caserta where i arrived on September 8th. We worked to many projects during my permanence, painting between Caserta and Naples, then… After 6 days, we went in an old dismissed quarry from 15 years and subject to judicial seizure. We were in one of places of Sistema, the same places narrated in the best seller book  Roberto Saviano‘s Gomorrah. From some Web sources (http://appinter.csm.it/incontri/relaz/18979.pdf), revealed shocking news about “Statuto’s Quarry” in San Prisco (CE). This quarry is headed by a dummy of Casalesi Clan, furthermore the whole area is contaminated by asbestos. There’s an open dump. An environmental damage of huge proportions, with any crime episode in its dark past (http://www.casertanews.it/public/articoli/200803/art_20080307004132.htm), this is just one of many illegal quarries located in the district of Caserta (http://www.napoliassise.it/assise10-06-2007.pdf); trying to imagine this territory suffering by lung cancer, there are holes everywhere. Oh yes! Because in this post we talk about cancer. The Lancet Oncology, said a few years ago that around Caserta’s area, it was recorded an increase of 8% of lung tumor and bile duct, caused by the disposal of toxic waste from farms in North Italy poured in quarries like this and in the surrounding agricultural lands, poisoning. The Casalesi Clan got a profit of 500.000.000 €  from only one of these dirty operations. Therefore, if an innocent victim of the Casalesi doesn’t die under a torrent of fire, however, dies by cancer (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangolo_della_morte_Acerra-Nola-Marigliano). The politician, the “thin man” of Casalesi Clan into italian government and also the largest responsible for the disposal of toxic waste in Campania was the Hon. Nicola Cosentino from 12 May 2008 to July 14, 2010 held the position of Undersecretary to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. However, the disposal of waste, not just the tip of the iceberg, at the base remains the destruction of nature (in this case a gutted mountain), the morphology is significantly changed, but worse. A frightful but fascinating at the same time. Scary for degradation, and the smell of death that we breathed, but fascinating for inviting presence of the old structures that were previously installed, those mixers that once devoured the stone, and throwed up cement for the construction of our wonder homes. It was the perfect theater where it’s a work of denunciation, a massive act of revenge. I wanted get an act of supreme justice in the name of all innocent victims by Camorra and other mafias had committed. The day when i finished the project, it wasn’t a day like any other. On September 18th, 2009 was celebrated the 1st Anniversary of the Castel Volturno Massacre therefore was an opportunity to honor the memory of the 6 africans, once again innocent victims of the ferocity by Casalesi Clan. Believe me when i write that we italians have much to learn from africans brothers. They already in the moment they set foot in Italy with optimism and hope for a better future, they shoulder the burden of having to integrate, condemned the marginalization of our racism, yet keep intact the fortitude i personally envy. They gave us a life lesson, organizing the riot on the day following the massacre, demonstrating in the streets of Castel Volturno them anger for the brothers murdered.

The message that i want to communicate is for those people, the citizens of Caserta district (also to those honest Casalesi), that still today attack Roberto Saviano instead to give him thank and support about what he has done and is still doing. Saviano is exposed in the 1st line on the front and completing his crusade, he has complicated his life non only for a part but for all over 60.000.000 of italians. Never forget it! But is for new generations, to all sons of the 3rd Millennium that i want dedicate this guerrilla action against Sistema. Don’t follow the myths to avoid, don’t emulate the mobsters to be great men. Honesty, hard work and determination are the elements to be a great man, to score one step upside stairway of the world.

“The bureaucrats don’t want you to be there, they have other ideas, think in terms of schemes of numbers. We don’t! The men are more important, the emotions in these men, their families, the story within each of us.”

Captain Ultimo

 

 

I4P

In a “so called” civilized world, violence seems the only way to communicate, wars are a sadistic pastime fomented by turbid interests, hate and indifference rage between the men.

In the 3rd Millennium, the world must change because there are more noble priorites. This is the time to share universal peace, to be altruistics and pass love to the future generations.

Internet can make the difference.

INTERNET: Genesis, History, Evolution.

“Internet is a real peace instrument, a mass education’s weapon.” (Nicholas Negroponte)

New year is begun well, very well.

Last sunday is ended Science Festival 2010, at Auditorium Music Park in Rome; an event that gave slot to conferences, debates, and any National Geographic’s documentaries.

On January 15th i was at one of these conferences, a conference where i couldn’t miss… Dove ci porta il web?

And guests as; Luca Sofri (journalist and blogger) http://www.wittgenstein.it/, Franco Bernabè (CEO Telecom Italy), Stefano Maruzzi (Country Manager of Google Italy), Paolo Ferri (lecturer of “Educational Technology” and “Theory and technique of new media” at University of Milan Bicocca) http://paolomferri.blogspot.com/, introducing Riccardo Luna (Editor in Chief of Wired Italy). But the real guest star is been…

Nicholas Negroponte.

Before proceeding, i’ll try to describe the climate of public audience. Target consisted by 60% over 50, 30% over 40 and 10% under 30. With my great surprise and at the same time a little bit of disappointment, i was able to discern the presence of a few kids by 7 – 10 years old sitting down on 2nd row. Maybe they were somebody’s children, and there were because really interested at Negroponte’s OLPC and not unwillingly. I want to believe it!

Disappointment there is been because, personally i consider about conference should be addressed to an audience of many kids. But otherwise is been a life lesson.

“Genesis, history and evolution of the Web.”

Nicholas Negroponte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Negroponte), was in Italy by a week, as ambassador to support Wired Italy campaign; “Internet, Nobel Prize for Peace 2010.” (http://www.internetforpeace.org/manifesto.cfm.)

Founded and directed by Louis Rossetto, Wired (http://www.wired.com/) concepted like a magazine to tell how can and should change the world. Nicholas Negroponte as 1st that contributed Wired’s birth, funding and supporting.

Professor Negroponte open conference… Chronologically he presents the main phases of what many consider his most ambitious project and humanitarian; OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) http://www.laptop.org/en/. The OLPC’s project was born in Cambodia
in 2001 with a 2nd prototype powered by a crank, to reach on final model “XO”; the result of studies and researches is “XOXO”. During an interview, Negroponte said…

“OLPC is concepted and projected for kids by 6 – 12 years old, it will like a remedy to cure for one of the worst evils, backwardness of the poor world… A small cultural revolution and training will come in the next years by kids, we can call it Child Teacher (C-T) kids as teachers of their parents (Digital Immigrants) and other kids that work in cooperation (Cooperative Learning) sharing knowledge, a draft intelligence about what happen with Web 2.0, web that start from sharing to cooperation.”

Negroponte produces several projects, to provide and improve the communication, and willingly get involved in those by others. To web communication he devotes his civil engagement and professional. In 1995 he published “Being Digital”, where Negroponte analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies (such as his belief that High-definition television wastes broadcasting power), and tries to predict how the technologies will evolve. Negroponte presents a strong belief that humanity is inevitably headed towards a future where everything that can will be digitalized (be it newspapers, entertainment, or sex). Well after 15 years what seemed an utopia, today is become a reality.

Next word goes to professor Paolo Ferri, not only praises the product of the illustrious colleague but goes beyond… He reiterates something sacrosanct about web communication; it plays a vital educational role on the next generations. Kids of the 3rd Millennium learning more quickly and they can interact with computers and the web; it’s like if they are entering inside a jungle waiting to be explored.

Professor Ferri then shared with all presents about a family’s episode; how his son of 7 years old, that he writes and reads less; has already learned to use web network.

Paolo Ferri published “La scuola digitale” (The digital school), Bruno Mondadori, Milan 2008.

And also there is a video (1st and 2nd part) posted on his YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/Giobbe30). “Nativi digitali” offers an acute observation on the learning method for kids and what is their link with the digital world.

Past, present and future are children of the same mother.

Media Lab founded by Negroponte inside MIT (Massachussets Institute of Technology) of Boston, is a place where theachers and students working in synergy, like the Renaissance laboratory of Ghirlandaio bros. is been for Michelangelo, or more recently Nicholas Negroponte as Walter Gropius and Madia Lab as Bauhaus.

Is how the school should be concepted!

During conference, the doctor Franco Bernabè exposes a historical analysis of Internet. From birth like military project known as ARPANET, during Cold War to Web 2.0 of today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Internet

But to really understand the historical nature of Web, must be taken in consideration 2 points, 2 dates…

04/25/1963, Joseph C. R. Licklider (Nicholas Negroponte’s master) expressed the intention to connect all computers and time sharing systems at a continental network.

08/06/1991, is created the World Wide Web by Tim Berners – Lee and Robert Cailliau.

In the final phase conference gets a surge, when a gentleman says aloud… “In Italy the Web connection should be free!”

Shortly before Negroponte said… “Spread much possible the Web connection because it brings knowledge and cultural richness.”

The comment by gentleman in the audience then has created a direct comparison between professor Negroponte and the doctor Bernabè about free Web connection’s trouble. The 1st, supported gentleman’s thesis and if in Italy only one Italian out of ten is connected, because Web connection is too expensive. The 2nd, stated that, the trouble is due to the digitization lack of the population (it’s partly true), and because in Italy there is weight of public debt inherited by past generations. Negroponte concludes saying to Bernabè; “in Italy to remedy the Web connection’s trouble enough invest 1% of all Health spending.

The conference is ended.

It’s been crucial for me! I’m a supporter of United Nations Millennium Campaign. From more of 1 year, i’ve studied to complete a my independent project about how to achieve the MDG’s UNIVERSAL EDUCATION to be realized (http://www.endpoverty2015.org/).

Nicholas Negroponte says…

“Poverty is a huge problem of planet. Insulation is also important. Obviously, 2 problems are connected. Development of emerging countries and the lives of people who live there, their creativity and their contribution to the cultural progress of humanity are destinatedto grow with the inclusion of people who are not related.”

“The Internet’s birth is linked by war, the evolution will lead to peace.”

Millennium Development Goals

Originally, i drew 8 tables trying to represent the Millennium Development Goals against poverty.

Once made, were ready to be exposed at an exhibition intended by my friend Angelo Minacapilli; concurrently with STAND UP! TAKE ACTION Enna.

I was very excited about this, but at the same time a few doubtful. The doubt was that after event, people forget the true STAND UP! TAKE ACTION’s purpose, in my country there is a proverb, which i’ll try to translate it…

“Past the saint, passed the party!”

I gave it and after a few months, i realized the video below to show the world that isn’t an event to make a difference, but the message that you want to communicate so that these priorities are realized.

I don’t know if i have succeeded, maybe not but… The world is changing, hopefully for the better!

Missing a month at Christmas, not only during this event must be good with others, but every day.

The African people really need you…

Help them!

The death of a reality show

Television is a mass distraction’s weapon.

The world is a company maintained by many “white-collars”, separated by role and power; it’s an ocean of sharks!

From the gutter of this “winning class”, emerge lords of Television; chairmen, shareholders, leaders and showmen.

The weaker protected by the strong.

Television must be clear not dirty, must have above all a positive content; not only give financial gain by audience.

Many people argue that in Italy there isn’t freedom of information, there will be a reason…

Maybe they refer to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, owner of the main 3 Italian TV networks; he uses them to control the thoughts and minds of Italian people.

He filtering and if necessary censoring; pictures and words that come from other political faction…

Also torpedoing serious and honest reporters, whose only fault is to do their job.

Today, the Television gravitating around reality shows, the striking example of “TV trash”.

What have this programs? Insanity!

BORING, BORING, BORING.

The Big Brother 10th Italian edition, begins in a few hours…

Can we keep or break down this Babel’s tower?

You can make a difference!

Television tomorrow could be a great free communication mean…

With documentaries, educational programs, of true culture, innovative but current.

What we pass on to our children?

The Woosters

On January 2000 began adventure of Wooster Collective (www.woostercollective.com)…

This website concepted by Marc Schiller and her wife Sara from Soho NYC, it’s not only a blog where posting graffiti pictures; it’s more!

Wooster Collective is for us countless artists; a second home, a community, a place to work in synergy. Personally i like consider it a virtual art gallery too, where the criticism doesn’t exist except by the visitor.

Sara and Marc are wonder people, humans like professionals… I don’t think about it, because they are young and open minded; but  they are a great support  for all artists that discovering world!

I believe about the birth year isn’t a case, in 3rd Millennium rise; writing like 1 of 4 elements by Hip Hop gets a surge on the evolutionary ladder of modern art and become street art. No more segregation inside a crew!

Everyone by different race, culture and artistic background can make art and street art too; testing and assembling different techniques and materials to get the perfect masterpiece.

Today this is Wooster Collective’s traffic rank by Alexa; www.alexa.com/siteinfo/woostercollective.com.

Well…

In the end, this is my personal tribute to Sammy (Samantha’s nickname; the daughter of  Sara and Marc), Sara and Marc Schiller.

Thanks so much!

Always & Anywhere

In the last August, during my Spanish tour…

I’m stopped in Madrid for 5 days.

I returned back to Madrid for the 2nd time, 2 days were devoted to revisit the art temples. A day I went at Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, I carried a bag with a surprise inside to be extracted at the opportunity time.

Crossing the enter, I felt very small to front giant artists like Salvador Dalì, Juan Mirò, Pablo Picasso etc. On the walls. I weren’t worthy to stay inside musem, thinking about what I would done!

Gravitating from hall to hall, I remembered Banksy’s action photograms in 2005 at Metropolitan Museum of New York, when he installed with intrusiveness a canvas on wall, Banksy’s canvas represented a noble of 1700 with in hand a spraycan, and Peace symbol with phrase “NO WAR” on the background.

I was attempted and curious too about Banksy tried adrenalin when make her action…

I didn’t want a glory moment, because I was and I’m nothing!

But…

To communicate a message.

I went to goal in the hall of most famous canvas; “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso. The masterpiece; oil on canvas 3.54 x 7.82 metres and in collective imagination is considered a riot painting against war. It was commissioned by Spanish Republican Government in 1937 for exibition in Paris. Picasso inspired to violent raid on the basque city of Gernika-Lumo, by German pilots during the Civil War.

I trowed up from bag my tribute to Master Picasso; an acrylic, paint marker and spray on canvas 0.25 x 0.35 metres entitled “Always & Anywhere”. Taking opportunity time I left it down wall on the right!

My action like Banksy was targeted…

If in 1937 Pablo Picasso painted a great canvas against war, then in 2009 John J. Mahyo paints a small canvas to support universal love.

Zaragoza, new city of lovers!

Hi,

Now I stay in Logrono (connected with a Wi-Fi network cracked called “cibertecajvigon” in Avenida de Jorge Vigon), Spain…

In the last week  I was in Zaragoza about an art work project, and I’m discovered all downtown!

I have tell that city is more wonder after restyling work of the Expo 2008, so…

After crossing Puente de Santiago on the Ebro river, I’m stopped in Plaza Cesar Augusto, I saw a guy kissing her girlfriend under a water jet on top trowed up by mouth of a iron frog settled on a bench at the foot of the statue of Cesar Augusto (founder of Zaragoza).

I think that a new love ritual?

I don’t know, but I believe that Zaragoza is new city after Paris, Venice for…

Dream, live and love.

John J. Mahyo