Andrea Bianconi's performance for Alda Merini's 90th birthday streams on March 21
On March 21, 2021, in honor of World Poetry Day and the 90th birthday of poet Alda Merini, artist Andrea Bianconi unveiled his performance video "Il sogno canta su una corda sola" on the Facebook and Instagram platforms of Casa delle Arti – Spazio Alda Merini in Milan. Initially intended as a live event, the performance was pre-recorded due to a COVID-19 decree-law issued in Italy on March 13, 2021. The piece showcased 21 women in white, who conveyed Merini's poetry from Ponte Alda Merini to Casa delle Arti via a tin can telephone system. Bianconi compiled 90 verses and titles, which he later inscribed on a canvas donated to the 'Piccola Ape Furibonda' association. The initiative was supported by Cetec – Centro Europeo Teatro e Carcere.
Key facts
- Andrea Bianconi created performance 'Il sogno canta su una corda sola' for Alda Merini's 90th birthday and World Poetry Day.
- The video streams on March 21, 2021 on Facebook and Instagram of Casa delle Arti – Spazio Alda Merini.
- 21 women dressed in white performed a 'telefono senza fili' along Milan's Navigli from Ponte Alda Merini to via Magolfa 32.
- Each woman was 14 meters apart, connected by a thread, using two cans to transmit verses.
- 90 verses and 90 poem titles by Alda Merini were carried, forming a new poem.
- Bianconi handwrote the 90 titles on a large white canvas at the end of the route.
- The canvas was donated to 'Piccola Ape Furibonda' for the Casa Museo di Alda Merini.
- The performance was invited by Cetec – Centro Europeo Teatro e Carcere and project by Casa Testori.
- Donatella Massimilla collaborated artistically and assembled the performers.
- The idea came from an interview where Merini described dictating verses over the phone.
Entities
Artists
- Andrea Bianconi
- Alda Merini
- Donatella Massimilla
Institutions
- Casa delle Arti – Spazio Alda Merini
- Associazione 'Piccola Ape Furibonda'
- Cetec – Centro Europeo Teatro e Carcere
- Casa Testori
- Ebano
- Errante
- Promise
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Ponte Alda Merini
- via Magolfa 32
- Navigli
- Arzignano