Thomas Inghilterra's pandemic photos capture empty Milan theaters

Thomas Inghilterra (Sicily, 1998), a young photographer, has created a series titled "Silenzio. Buio. Vuoto" documenting Milan's theaters closed due to COVID-19. The images show empty auditoriums with plastic-covered seats, abandoned stages, and costume bags hanging like ghosts. The project metaphorically addresses the silence and darkness of cultural spaces awaiting the return of actors and audiences. Inghilterra spent extensive time in these disorienting environments. Barbara Caldarini, communications manager of Teatro Elfo Puccini, described the theater's ongoing efforts to maintain communication via web streaming. Stefania Fumo, director of Production and Communication at I Pomeriggi Musicali del Teatro Dal Verme, noted that while streaming has helped maintain audience connection, actors now perform to mechanical lenses rather than live spectators. Theaters involved include Arcimboldi, Dal Verme, Teatro Fontana, Gerolamo, and Litta. The series captures absences that demand the return of past presences.