AAA Manifatture: Photographic Project on Appenine Manufacturing in Tuscany

The photographic project AAA Manifatture, directed by Claudia Paladini, documents manufacturing labor in the Appenine towns of Palazzuolo sul Senio, Marradi, and Firenzuola near Florence, exploring the resilience of traditional craftsmanship and the impact of Industry 4.0. The exhibition, spread across the streets of the three towns, features works by Giancarlo Barzagli, Ilaria Di Biagio, and Franco Guardascione. Barzagli's 'I volti della lotta' captures labor protests at Ortofrutticola del Mugello in Marradi, which prevented relocation to Bergamo, using syrup from marrons glacés production. Di Biagio's 'Gesti e forme della fabbrica 4.0' uses a red fireproof cloth to anonymize workers, highlighting universal gestures in the mechanical district of Palazzuolo sul Senio, referencing Bruno Munari. Guardascione's 'La percezione della pietra' consists of five triptychs on the stratification of pietra serena stone working in Firenzuola. The project involves workers from Copser in Firenzuola, La Fabbrica dei Marroni in Marradi, Meccanica RC and Elettromeccanica Misileo in Palazzuolo sul Senio. It continues 'Archivio Appennino-R/Esistenze' (Strategia Fotografia 2020) on existence and resistance in Alto Mugello. Historian Federica Montevecchi wrote the catalog introduction, citing Leonardo Sciascia's view of photography as 'momentary truth.'