The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria and the Jole Santelli Association present the photographic exhibition “Calabria with my eyes. Spirituality and culture”, scheduled until 28 September 2025 at the Paolo Orsi Piazza of the Museum. The exhibition, inspired by the homonymous volume promoted by the Association in collaboration with Rubbettino Editore, collects 22 works that return an intense and suggestive story of Calabria, intertwining art and spirituality.
The initiative is part of the memorandum of understanding between the Museum and the Association, which provides for shared activities of an artistic and cultural nature. On this occasion, the collaboration concerned the presentation of the volume and the vernissage of the exhibition, set up in the museum spaces. The project tells Calabria through a visual language that combines spirituality, culture and identity, accompanying visitors and readers on a journey between places symbol of the territory: sanctuaries, hermitages and rock chapels, narrated in a dimension suspended between tradition and modernity.
The distinctive element of the project is the involvement of young autistic models, who have lent their face to interpret the sacred places and the Calabrian landscapes in a contemporary key. Their participation gives the initiative a strong social value, underlining the art ability to break down barriers and prejudices and transforming into an instrument of awareness and testimony.
The exhibition-curated by Liria Ingallina-bears the signature of two protagonists of the contemporary creative panorama: Giuseppe Fata, master of Italian high fashion, who created extraordinary heads-inspired heads inspired by Magna Grecia, and Emanuele Roof, Roman fashion photographer, capable of grasping the essence of places and people by transforming photography into expressive language.
“It is an honor for me to participate in this splendid initiative that combines culture, social and promotion of the territory”, said Matilde Siracusano, undersecretary of relations with Parliament, underlining the value of the involvement of autistic children also as professional models. Fabrizio Sudano, director of the museum, highlighted how the project testifies the inclusive vocation of the institution and its opening to the contemporary. Paola Santelli, president of the Jole Santelli association, remarked on the intent to promote a positive and resilient image of Calabria, capable of combining beauty, hope and enhancement of talents.
The event offered the opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between the Museum and the Association, reaffirming the common will to operate together for the promotion of projects that unite cultural heritage, civil commitment and social sensitivity.
“Calabria with my eyes” is not a simple promotional book or a photographic exhibition, but an emotional journey between twelve sanctuaries symbol of spirituality, art and identity, interpreted by professional models that are also autistic. Thanks to their talent and their unique vision, they become custodians and narrators of these enchanting places. Calabria can recognize and promote talents in all its forms and in this case transforms them into shared beauty.