Elena Stancanelli on the future: abolish borders, embrace multiplicity

In an interview for Artribune's 'Futuro Antico' series, Italian writer Elena Stancanelli (born 1965, Florence) shares her vision of the future. She imagines a world without borders, where virtual interconnectedness replaces physical walls, and where sexuality is multiple, polymorphic, and without taboos. She advocates for respect over antispeciesism, allowing octopuses to develop their intelligence, and ending animal consumption. Stancanelli also expresses a desire for the word 'event' to go out of fashion. She discusses her project 'Piccoli Maestri,' a cultural volunteer initiative bringing writers into schools to read novels. Her artistic inspirations include Pippa Bacca, Francesca Woodman, Sophie Calle, Sarah Lucas, Jannis Kounellis, and Elisabetta Benassi. She considers the past as everything, comparing it to Emilio Salgari's box of notes. Stancanelli advises young writers to read widely, be courageous, avoid self-promotion, and find their own voice.