Filippo Berta counts barbed wire thorns one by one in geopolitical art project
Filippo Berta, an Italian artist born in 1977 in Treviglio, is undertaking a global initiative titled 'One by One' (2019), which involves counting the thorns on barbed wire fences while engaging with communities impacted by geopolitical conflicts. His travels have taken him to Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. This project was awarded the 5th edition of the Italian Council, with backing from Nomas Foundation and GAMeC. The performances will culminate in a video installation aimed at fostering cultural unity. In 2020, 'One by One' will be showcased as a traveling exhibition at Sapienza University of Rome, Nomas Foundation, and Prometeo Gallery in Milan. Berta's work, motivated by the 2015 Balkan migration crisis, will also extend to Mexico.
Key facts
- Filippo Berta's 'One by One' project involves counting every thorn on barbed wire fences separating peoples across multiple countries.
- Countries visited include Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
- The project won the 5th edition of Italian Council, supported by Nomas Foundation and GAMeC.
- The video installation will be a traveling exhibition in 2020 at Sapienza University, Nomas Foundation, and Prometeo Gallery.
- The idea originated in 2015 from news of new walls in the Balkans blocking migration from Syria.
- Berta's earlier video 'One way' (2016) documented migrants at Zákány station on the Hungary-Croatia border.
- A border police officer in North Macedonia expressed discomfort with his role in rejecting migrants.
- Bulgarian performer Tanya T. reported government restrictions on artistic expression and the silencing of journalist Silvia Velikova.
Entities
Artists
- Filippo Berta
Institutions
- Italian Council
- Nomas Foundation
- GAMeC
- Prometeo Gallery
- Sapienza University of Rome
- Bulgarian National Radio
Locations
- Treviglio
- Italy
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Hungary
- Greece
- North Macedonia
- Bulgaria
- Turkey
- Zákány
- Hungary-Croatia border
- Rome
- Bergamo
- Milan
- Mexico