Iginio De Luca climbs Tor Bella Monaca towers to discuss Europe with residents

As part of the EU-funded project AMPLIFY – Make the Future of Europe Yours by Culture Action Europe, the artist Iginio De Luca collaborated with ECCOM to engage residents of Tor Bella Monaca, a peripheral neighborhood in Rome. De Luca climbed one of the 15 towers that define the area's skyline nine times on foot, ascending 15 floors each time, accompanied by participants. The climb served as a performative act to gather thoughts, frustrations, and aspirations about Europe, which many residents perceive as abstract and irrelevant to their daily struggles. The resulting video, titled 'Verso dove?', begins with a black screen and voices expressing disillusionment: 'There's nothing in these towers,' 'There must be an alternative to the street,' 'Less employment,' 'A ticking time bomb.' As the climb progresses, voices overlap and lose distinct identity, mimicking the physical effort—accelerated heartbeat, blood pumping, breathlessness. Upon reaching the terrace, the view opens onto castles, other towers, the city, and the sea, offering a moment of respite and expanded perspective. The project operates in 12 EU member states to give voice to underrepresented communities. The article was published by Artribune and written by Giorgia Basili.