Como, the exhibition "No one has ever seen it" is underway: around 40 photographs by Pietro Raimondi selected from the volume of the same name are on display

Como, the exhibition "No one has ever seen it" is underway: around 40 photographs by Pietro Raimondi selected from the volume of the same name are on display.

“No one has ever seen it” is the exhibition curated by Maria Cristina Brandini which will be set up at the Broletto palace from 9 April to 1 May 2022 in collaboration with the Culture department of the Municipality of Como. Around 40 photographs by Pietro Raimondi will be exhibited, selected from the 98 published in the volume of the same title, published by Skira in 2021, with the non-profit organization "Buono Dentro Buono Fuori" and the Almo Collegio Borromeo of Pavia, with texts by Alberto Lolli , rector of the Borromeo College.

The work was born from the encounter with the reality of East Timor, a small democratic republic north of Australia, where Pietro Raimondi, the author of the photographs, has been going regularly since 2016, except for the Covid period, maintaining contacts from Italy newspapers with students and families supported through the non-profit organization.

The images, strictly in black and white and of extraordinary beauty, portraying both the dignified population and the pure and uncontaminated nature of East Timor, are accompanied by 14 texts by Alberto Lolli. The reflections, secular and poetic, are inspired by the spiritual and corporal "Works of Mercy", a necessary guide, especially in this period of serious insecurity and difficulty of a world almost in turmoil.

“A journey into pain but also into the consolation that men can give to other men” Giovanni Gastel had written thanks to his profound sensitivity in the preface of the volume, short but intense and highly poignant, given his sudden death in March 2021.

Words become almost superfluous when stopping to observe the deep and sweet gaze of the many children photographed in their land, poor and wounded, where there is no shortage of smiles and the joy of a life which, although much sacrificed, probably brings with it the true meaning of existence.

«The Municipality willingly collaborated in the creation of this exhibition which will offer a further opportunity for reflection – comments the mayor Mario Landriscina - In the difficult and complex historical period we live in, determined by the pandemic and now also by the humanitarian drama caused by the war in Ukraine, I believe that all of us can feel in some way closer to a population that has always been accustomed to renunciation, poverty, lack of freedom and daily struggle with death."

«The exhibition is presented to the public in the most appropriate period, Easter, where the call to spirituality should take over the frantic race for materiality – comments the Councilor for Culture Livia Cioffi – We are pleased to open the broletto to non-institutional initiatives as well, offering space to culture in its various expressions."

«In total agreement with the authors, I thought that the population of East Timor, especially young people and children, they must not only receive economic help or pietism as an end in itself, but they must be given respect and consideration, the rights of every living being, and I believe that this exhibition, exhibited in a highly respectable location, can constitute a movement of pride and moral and social justice for all of them. A dream come true for them", explains Maria Cristina Brandini, curator of the exhibition.

During the exhibition the book will be sold and all offers received will be entirely donated to the population of East Timor through the non-profit organization.

ALBERTO LOLLI (Varese, 1975)

Rector of the Almo Collegio Borromeo of Pavia. A profound connoisseur of the world of youth, he is an attentive interpreter of contemporary culture. His research focuses on the experiences of community life with particular attention to those of young people, some of which he accompanies with care and passion.

PIETRO RAIMONDI (Milano, 1968)

Teacher of ethics, law and communication at Ciofs-fp Lombardia, he has cultivated a passion for photography since he was a child, which becomes for him an increasingly effective means of reading the present and recounting experiences. In 2016 he encountered the reality of the Democratic Republic of East Timor and never separated from it again, always with his camera in hand.

“NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN IT” – THE EXHIBITION is organized by the non-profit organization “Buono Dentro Buono Fuori” in collaboration with the Culture Department of the Municipality of Como and the Almo Collegio Borromeo of Pavia, and is curated by Maria Cristina Brandini.

It will be open every day continuously from 10am to 18pm, free admission.

for info:
Mobile. 338/2869061
c.brandini@gruppointercom.net