Matteo Pericoli invites Italians to draw their window views during lockdown

Matteo Pericoli, an illustrator and architect, has launched a social media initiative called 'Finestre sull'Italia' (Windows on Italy) inviting Italians to draw the view from their windows during the COVID-19 lockdown. Participants are asked to sketch what they see outside and accompany the drawing with a short text describing the scene. The project aims to turn the period of confinement into an opportunity for reflection and collective creativity, especially for children and young people. Pericoli, who previously published 'Finestre su New York' (Windows on New York) in 2009—a collection of 63 panoramic views from windows of artists and philosophers in New York—now shifts focus to Italy. The drawings and texts can be shared on his Facebook page or via email using hashtags #iostoacasa, #lamiafinestra, #finestresullitalia, #finestresulmondo. Pericoli plans to compile the submissions into a collective portrait of Italy during the pandemic. He has been drawing windows for over 15 years, starting with his obsession to capture New York City, where he lived for 13 years. The project was first published in Italy by Il Saggiatore. Pericoli describes the current moment as a unique opportunity to create a shared vision that unites people through their individual perspectives.