Nuovi Volti (NV) is a multimedia project that includes and combines sculptural elements, computer technologies, sound, video, and interactive software design. The project was conceived in Italy in 1999. NV was inspired by the new social and ethnic conditions that are reshaping the racial identity of Italy. During the past thirty years numerous immigrants from all over the world (from China to Afghanistan to the ex-Yugoslavia and Africa) have migrated to Italy to find a new home. Many of them fled their home countries to escape from political persecution, poverty and war. Italy is now becoming more and more of a multi-ethnic society. This new condition has brought both positive and problematic aspects. The changing ethnic identity of Italy and the consequences of this change is the focal theme of this project. In the initial stage of NV numerous immigrants and native Italians were interviewed. Questions relevant to their life and experiences in Italy were asked.


The direct street interviews were augmented with broadcast news clips recordings concerning immigration politics, problems and facts. The end result of this preliminary work generated a very rich and multifaceted body of video interviews documenting tragic stories, feelings of anger, frustration and happiness coming from both Italians and recent immigrants. The television news clips on the other hand document an insight on immigration politics and many real life stories seen through the eyes of the Italian broadcast television. In the second stage of the project the interviews were logged, selected and recorded to a computer. They were then manipulated and edited with a variety of multimedia software applications. The final video and sound files were used in the NV installation.

In a dimly lit exhibition space viewers are confronted with a sculptural mask mounted on a stand. the mask is a genderless hybrid form that merges the somatic traits of the new Italian ethnicities.
As viewers interact with the mask they trigger video fragments edited from the interviews. Consequentially an ever-changing and fragmentary image is created on the screen. This image becomes a visual and sonic metaphor for the new Italian ethnic condition. Since 2005 when I last showed NV I have continued to develop this piece that now includes facts relevant to immigration politics in Spain, Germany, England, Australia and most recently Zimbabwe and South Africa. The theme of NV is centered on a universal condition of migrating populations seeking a better life and existence which is becoming a ubiquitous and global phenomena. Nuovi Volti is an ever changing work in progress as I continue to record, gather and compile new materials for this work.