Italo Rondinella

I had the pleasure of collaborating once again with La Biennale di Venezia to photograph and film the Turkish leg of the project THE WIND MAKES THE SKY.

in the Footsteps of Marco Polo: A Special Project by La Biennale di Venezia’s Historical Archive marking the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo (1324–2024), curated by .

Following its inauguration in Hangzhou (China) and its subsequent leg in Venice (Italy), the itinerant installation Amfibio - commissioned by La Biennale di Venezia and created by - continued its journey to Istanbul, where it was hosted at for AMFIBIO SOUND DAYS.

In collaboration with , composers and musicians from Istanbul’s music scene (, , , , ) explored the sonic possibilities of Cevdet Erek’s performative space AMFIBIO over four consecutive evenings, fostering relational exchanges with visitors as they moved through the Feshane garden.

Thanks to the management of La Biennale di Venezia and their wonderful team: , , Andrea Del Mercato, ,

My report on the escape of Iranian citizens to Turkey, following bombings by the State of Israel, is now available on RSI: https://www.rsi.ch/info/mondo/Le-voci-e-i-volti-di-chi-%C3%A8-fuggito-dall%E2%80%99Iran--2935836.html
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Photo 1 - After an exhausting journey across Iran, this elderly couple crossed the border into Turkey; they are now waiting for a minibus headed to Van as their first stop.

Photo 2 - The Kapıköy border crossing between Iran and Turkey, located about 100 kilometers east of the Turkish city of Van.

Photo 3 - A young Iranian man appears to be in a moment of despair.

Photo 4 - Many of the families fleeing brought their pets with them: some brought dogs, others cats; this family brought their parrot.

Photo 5 - Many Iranians are welcomed at the Turkish border by relatives and fellow citizens who had already left Iran or who, living abroad, came to pick them up.

Photo 6 - Among those leaving Iran, a significant number of families are entering Turkey even just for short periods, to assess how the situation evolves and to protect their young children from the danger and horror of bombings.
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Thanks to , , and all the Iranian and Kurdish friends who prefer to remain anonymous.