EVENTS
The Oelle Mediterraneo Antico Foundation has organized numerous events since 2017, the year of its establishment. Various cultural sectors, ranging from contemporary art to history, from cinema to publishing. The Oelle Foundation has distinguished itself, since its inception, for its ability to create an interdisciplinary dialogue between multiple sectors of culture. The events organized range from contemporary art, with exhibitions of emerging and established artists, to the valorization of history, thanks to projects that intertwine local traditions and global visions. Publishing has allowed to broaden the diffusion of cultural thought through publications and book presentations, often linked to the themes addressed by the foundation. These events have contributed to creating an inclusive platform, capable of attracting a heterogeneous audience and stimulating cultural debate on a local and international scale. The Oelle Foundation thus represents a privileged meeting point between tradition and contemporaneity, between Mediterranean roots and artistic innovations. Below, the most important events.
Breakfast at the Foundation
OELLE Foundation opens its doors to the local community with the "Breakfast at the Foundation" event, where the foundation welcomes friends and the curious with coffee, pastries, and new projects. Numerous events have taken place over the years, including the inauguration of the INVASIONI INVASIONI exhibition and the Phil Stern Suite show-off; One O One Contemporary Art Suite, he suite dedicated to the great American photographer where he stayed during his days in Sicily; sound engineer Michele Spadaro's project, Music for Urban Garden, the children's painting workshop The Gummy workshop by brothers Andrea and Marco Mangione, the exhibition Utopia. Singolare femminile, a meeting with athlete Gabriella Dorio and the event, 5.km vista mare, and the presentation of Fabio Pagliara and Paolo Di Caro's book, SportCity. Le città cambiate dallo sport.
7/10/2023
Camera di Commercio, Catania
SICILIA 1943-2023
Memorie contemporanee
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the landing of the Allied troops in Sicily, Fondazione OELLE has created “Sicily 1943/2023”, a project in which the Academy of Fine Arts of Catania, the Department of Humanities of the University of Catania, the newspaper La Sicilia, the National Association of Civilian Victims of War, and the Chamber of Commerce of South-East Sicily have joined. On 10 July 2023, exactly eighty years after Operation Husky, the Conference “Sicily 1943/2023 contemporary memories” took place in the main hall of the Chamber of Commerce in Catania, in which the themes of the liberation of Italy from Nazi-fascism were addressed, also observed in a contemporary key. The day was divided into three panels of 50 minutes each, all moderated by Prof. Ezio Costanzo: the first saw the participation of professors Francesco Failla, Peppino Ortoleva and Lina Scalisi; the second the photographers Federico Baronello and Massimo Siragusa; the third the German historian Holger Afflerbach, the historian Michela Ponzani and in connection Professor Lucio Villari. During the conference the book SICILY 1943/2023 was presented, which includes the photographs of Federico Baronello and Massimo Siragusa, the texts of the speakers and various contributions. A section of the book was dedicated to a selection of photographs of the landing sites by the great photographer and friend of the Foundation, Phil Stern.
9/25/2018
Phil Stern Pavilion, Le Ciminiere - Catania
Presentation of the book of Liesl Bradner
opening Lo sguardo oltre la guerra.
SNAP DRAGON
The World War II exploits of Darby's Ranger
and combat photographer Phil Stern
On the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of the Phil Stern Pavilion inside the Historical Museum of the Landing in Sicily 1943, the OELLE Mediterraneo Antico Foundation, in collaboration with the Metropolitan City of Catania, presented two events of great historical and cultural importance: the presentation, in national preview, of the book Snapdragon. The World War II exploits of Darby’s Ranger and Combat Photographer Phil Stern by the American journalist Liesl Bradner and the inauguration of the photographic exhibition
Lo sguardo oltre la guerra. 1942/1943
Unpublished Photos of Phil Stern
7/10/2018
Museo Storico Sbarco in Sicilia, Catania
Operazione Husky - 10 luglio 1943
Between history and places of memory
An international conference of high cultural value, for the presence of illustrious guests in the field of contemporary history. The theme: Operation Husky 10 July 1943, between history and places of memory. Speakers: Alfio Caruso, historian and essayist; Lucio Villari, historian; Andrea Ungari, historian; Andrea Augello, historian and writer; Giuseppe Castronovo, national president of the National Association of Civilian Victims of War, Ornella Laneri, president of the Oelle Foundation, Mario Farrugia, president of the Wirt Artna Malta Foundation. The historian and essayist Ezio Costanzo gave the introductory report and moderated the speeches. Speakers included, among others, Salvo Pogliese, mayor of Catania and the Metropolitan City; Sandro Pappalardo, regional councilor for Tourism, Francesco Basile, rector of the University of Catania and Claudio Minghetti, commander of the army in Sicily.
5/27/2023
ZO Centro Culture Contemporanee, Catania
INFINITO
L'universo di Luigi Ghirri
Screening of the documentary in the presence of the director Matteo Parisini.
The documentary tells the story of the work of Luigi Ghirri, one of the most appreciated masters of Italian photography in the world. Directed by Matteo Parisini, “Infinito. L’universo di Luigi Ghirri” retraces the crucial stages of the life of the photographer from Reggio through his shots and his writings. A journey through the places that inspired the artist, a study of lands, waters, hills, infinite horizons, from the Via Emilia to the Po River. The protagonists of the narration also include the artists Franco Guerzoni and Davide Benati, the art historian Arturo Carlo Quintavalle, the printer Arrigo Ghi, the photographer Gianni Leone, the musician Massimo Zamboni and the Ghirri family. The actor Stefano Accorsi will give voice to the texts. Fondazione Oelle, which organized the event, wanted to pay homage to an explorer of natural and human landscapes who never set limits. Architectures and symmetries that Ghirri made poetry of, drawing from every experience, and in which the eye rediscovers the harmony of the world.
Aperoelle
AperOelle is a format created by the Fondazione Oelle Mediterraneo Antico with the aim of opening new spaces for connections between art, contemporary culture, and young audiences. The project stems from the desire to transcend traditional cultural boundaries, creating informal and accessible opportunities to experiment with diverse artistic languages and foster dialogue with the local community. Events include the presentation of the CALENTIAMENTO project by Vaste Program and Viaraffineria, and a guided tour of the exhibition "Three Nights on the Theory of Discourses" by Daniele Franzella. The events take place during the summer on the seaside platform of the Sheraton Hotel in Aci Castello, an evocative and symbolic location that embodies the connection between natural landscape, cultural heritage, and creative innovation.
Collaborazioni
2018 and 2019 Editions
SITU FESTIVAL a Ficarra
Four Points by Sheraton Catania and the Oelle Foundation hosted the Sicilian stages of the Campiello Literary Prize, Campiello Tour, promoted by the Campiello Foundation – Confindustria Veneto. The 2018 edition was attended by the president of the management committee, Professor Piero Luxardo, and the Prize finalists, who spoke with La7 journalist Antonio Roccuzzo. During the event, Helena Janeczeck's book "The Girl with the Leica" (Guanda) was presented.
In 2019, with the support of the Municipality of Aci Castello and Banca Generali Private, the Campiello Prize writers' summer literary tour returns to Sicily. The five finalists of the 57th edition of the Prize met with the public at Villa Fortuna in Aci Trezza, Catania, and subsequently traveled to Villa Niscemi in Palermo. "We started in 2014," said Ornella Laneri, President of the Oelle Foundation, "with logistical support for the Campiello Prize in Sicily. Since then, a great rapport has developed between the Foundation and Campiello-Confindustria Veneto, and the collaboration has continued to grow over the years."
2018 and 2019 Editions
Premio letterario Campiello
Four Points by Sheraton Catania and the Oelle Foundation hosted the Sicilian stages of the Campiello Literary Prize, Campiello Tour, promoted by the Campiello Foundation – Confindustria Veneto. The 2018 edition was attended by the president of the management committee, Professor Piero Luxardo, and the Prize finalists, who spoke with La7 journalist Antonio Roccuzzo. During the event, Helena Janeczeck's book "The Girl with the Leica" (Guanda) was presented.
In 2019, with the support of the Municipality of Aci Castello and Banca Generali Private, the Campiello Prize writers' summer literary tour returns to Sicily. The five finalists of the 57th edition of the Prize met with the public at Villa Fortuna in Aci Trezza, Catania, and subsequently traveled to Villa Niscemi in Palermo. "We started in 2014," said Ornella Laneri, President of the Oelle Foundation, "with logistical support for the Campiello Prize in Sicily. Since then, a great rapport has developed between the Foundation and Campiello-Confindustria Veneto, and the collaboration has continued to grow over the years."
25/26 October 2024
The OELLE Mediterraneo Antico Foundation was present at the international conference in Villefranche-sur-Mer (France)
"Les Américains en Méditerranée Occidentale (1942-1945): débarquements, libération et « pax americana" with the historian Ezio Costanzo, who spoke about the great American photographer Phil Stern and the importance of the photographic collection kept at the "Phil Stern Pavilion" in Catania, Historical Museum of the Landing in Sicily 1943, created in 2017 by the Oelle Foundation. Costanzo also spoke about the landing in Sicily in 1943 as a "landing laboratory" for the Americans and the relationships between the mafia and the Allies during the Second World War.
10/21/2018 - ZO Centro Culturale, Catania
Cross Cultural Chairs
Crowdfunding event
Event organized to raise funds to support Cross Cultural Chairs, a project by the young designer Matteo Guarnaccia from Catania.
Catanese, 24 years old, a dream in the drawer. To complete the socio-anthropological research Cross Cultural Chairs. A journey through the eight most populated countries in the world to discover the different cultures and ways of sitting. Yes, you understood correctly. Because the study of Matteo Guarnaccia, a young designer who has deepened his interests at the IED and the FabLab in Barcelona, revolves precisely around chairs. Objects that are often associated with the phases of human evolution and that respond to common needs, all over the world. Like that of sitting down to reflect and take a break from modern life that passes too quickly.
Chairs, stools, armchairs, of which Matteo will study not only the peculiarities that change from country to country, but also the technical aspects. Because in the end it will be him, supported by eight of the best design studios in the world, to create eight chairs that at the end of the experience will be exhibited at the Design Museum of Barcelona, which immediately embraced Matteo's project. On the same occasion, the book that will be born during and immediately after the trip will also be presented, with the collaboration of the Catalan graphic designer Albert Romagosa, considered among the most interesting of the emerging Spanish scene.
Scholarships
Revolution
democracy
and freedom
The participatory experience of the Revolution, Democracies and Freedom seminar, promoted as part of the eighth edition of the Taobuk Festival, conceived and directed by Antonella Ferrara, ended on September 30, 2018, with the awarding of eight scholarships worth 500 euros each to the students of the Galileo Galilei Scientific High School in Catania, directed by the principal Gabriella Chisari, thanks to the support of the president of the Oelle Foundation, Ornella Laneri, convinced of the importance of investing in the very young, and of the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies in Naples directed by Fiorinda Li Vigni.
Twenty-three students from Galileo participated in the project, accompanied by Professor Nadia Cucinotta during the meetings on June 26 and 27, entitled “Revolution, Democracies and Freedom. 50 Years after 1968” held at the Historical Archives of Taormina with the presence of Giuseppe Gembillo, professor of History of Philosophy at the University of Messina, Gianluca Lioni, author of I grandi discorsi che hanno fatto la storia (Newton & Compton) and Stefano Azzarà from the University of Urbino, who moderated the seminar.
The students produced essays on what they learned during the Taobuk experience, jointly evaluated by the three promoters of the initiative. Eight winners: Tresy Battaglia, Daniele Belfiore, Alessia Cannavò, Michelangelo Capizzi, Gabriele Crisci, Alfio Pappalardo, Giulia Pappalardo and Angelo Pettinato, who with the scholarships have the right to a training stay in Naples, during which they will attend a show centered on the figure of Eleonora De Fonseca Pimentel, female protagonist of the 1799 uprisings in Naples, and will have the opportunity to visit Palazzo Serra di Cassano, historic headquarters of the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies, and the splendid Cappella Sansevero.
5/20/2018 - ZO Centro Culturale, Catania
Take me back
A film by Giovanna Brogna Sonnino
A special event offered by the OELLE Foundation, which presented the film Riprendimi by the writer, director and photographer Giovanna Brogna Sonnino, shot in Catania with Lucia Sardo. An opportunity also to launch the artist's new project: Save the elefants. With her subtle and ironic gaze Giovanna Sonnino follows a personal journey in today's Catania where old and new traditions intertwine and mark an almost "third world" where the only certainty is an erupting volcano. A sincere documentary on the deep south that can enchant at the procession of Sant'Agata and at the same time build a sophisticated processor in the "Silicon Valley" of Catania. All under the looming figure of an icon of cursed rock, the singer Perry Farreil, who becomes the symbol of an impossible rebellion.