L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 www.italoamericano.org 32 L'Italo-Americano f r o m I t a l i a n i m m i - g r a n t s i m p o r t a n t t o showcase? Today we live in a mass- p r o d u c e d w o r l d w h e r e t h o u s a n d s o f i d e n t i c a l goods are made in factories, usually overseas, by people w e w i l l n e v e r k n o w . T h e exhibition stands in contra- st to the modern world in that each object is unique and was made by an Italian- A m e r i c a n w o m a n . T h e s e craftswomen, most of whom have long since passed on, would be shocked to learn t h a t t h e i r w o r k i s b e i n g celebrated, much less exhi- b i t e d i n a m u s e u m . Needlework, beyond its uti- l i t a r i a n u s e s , p l a y e d a n integral role in the lives of Italian immigrant women. I t w a s a m e a n s t h r o u g h which women gained finan- cial independence and hel- ped support their families. Needlework also served as a v e h i c l e t h r o u g h w h i c h women could express them- selves, create communities, transmit knowledge, esta- b l i s h t r a d e s , a n d w e a v e together fragmented tradi- tions, identities, and memo- ries. The objects showcased in this exhibition reveal the sensibilities, hopes, beliefs, a n d p e r s p e c t i v e s o f t h e v a r i o u s g e n e r a t i o n s o f I t a l i a n A m e r i c a n w o m e n w h o f a b r i c a t e d t h e m . B y exploring the stories behind these handcrafted pieces, we gain a richer apprecia- tion not only for the expe- riences of their creators but for how traditions survive, change, disappear, and ree- m e r g e i n i m m i g r a n t a n d transplanted communities. Are there any of these w o m e n ' s s t o r i e s t h a t stuck with you in parti- cular? W h e n I w o r k o n t h e s e t e m p o r a r y e x h i b i t i o n s I i m m e r s e m y s e l f i n t h e topic. This exhibition was particularly engrossing, all- encompassing. I felt a deep spiritual connection to the women whose work we are showcasing. There were so many inspirational stories-- w o m e n w h o p e r s e v e r e d , often alone, to raise their f a m i l i e s , i n t i m e s o f w a r a n d s c a r c i t y . O n e L o s A n g e l e s w o m a n , C e c i l i a Scottini, saved items that others discarded, such as b u t c h e r t w i n e a n d c l o t h flour sacks, and transfor- med them into useful and elegant wares. Women like P a o l i n a D i C r i s t o f a r o V i l l a n i , w h o c o n t i n u e d doing needlework after she had lost her vision, using o n l y f e e l i n g a n d m u s c l e memory. Women like Maria Antonia Cortese, who had three sons in the span of four years during the Great D e p r e s s i o n a n d u s e d h e r needlework skills to create things for the family that they would otherwise never be able to afford. Women l i k e M a r i a C a s t a l d i , w h o contracted polio as a child, which left her a paraplegic. She crochets using one fin- ger and holds the needle in her teeth. These are but a few of the incredible stories contained in this exhibition and we hope you will come to see it. A r e t h e r e a n y o t h e r events related to Woven Lives? Yes, as part of the exhibi- t i o n t h e r e a r e t w o f r e e workshops coming up: on Sunday, March 27, 2022, there will be a Virtual Book Presentation via Facebook – T a l k i n g t o t h e G i r l s : I n t i m a t e a n d P o l i t i c a l E s s a y s o n t h e T r i a n g l e S h i r t w a i s t F a c t o r y F i r e , edited by Edvige Giunta and Mary Anne Trasciatti, New V i l l a g e P r e s s , 2 0 2 2 . T h e book is a collection of can- did and intimate accounts o f t h e f e m a l e f a c t o r y - worker tragedy that shaped American labor rights. And o n S a t u r d a y , A p r i l 3 0 , 2 0 2 2 , t h e r e w i l l a n o t h e r f r e e w o r k s h o p , c a l l e d " I t a l i a n N e e d l e L a c e Workshop", conducted by artist Carly Chubak at the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, located at 644 North Main Street, Los Angeles. Participants will learn this historical craft and make their own sample of lace using only a needle, thread, and a fabric base. Handmade dresses for women and children (Photo: Sam Fagan/IAMLA) Continued from page 30 Today we live in a mass-produced world where thousands of identical goods are made in factories, by people we will never know. The exhibition stands in contrast to the modern world in that each object is unique and was made by an Italian-American woman Needlework was also used to decorate objects used by the community, especially in a religious context (Photo: Sam Fagan/IAMLA) LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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