L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 A r t i f i c i a l i n t e l l i - gence, augment- ed reality, digi- t a l i z a t i o n . N e w forms of commu- nication are profoundly chang- ing the way we learn, work, and interact with one another. I n t h i s c o n s t a n t l y e v o l v i n g landscape, it might seem that our historical and artistic her- itage belongs to a distant past, disconnected from our lives: a legacy to preserve, yet one seemingly far removed from everyday life. In reality, the opposite is true. Ancient art is one of the most powerful tools we have for understanding the present and shaping the future. Preserving artistic heritage means safeguarding our collec- tive memory and cultural identity while providing tangible evidence of the civilizations that came before us. Every mon- ument, painting, sculpture, and archaeological artifact tells part of the story that preceded us but also helped shape who we are. That story must continue to speak to contemporary generations, offering lessons that extend far beyond the aes- thetic value of a work of art. A medieval fresco, for example, is not simply a pictorial masterpiece, it also bears witness to the spirituality, theological thought, fashions, available mate- rials, and artistic knowledge of its time. Likewise, a Roman statue reveals aspects of political propaganda, classical cul- ture and society, and the technical expertise of its sculptors that go far beyond questions of proportion or artistic beauty. More than any other country, Italy bears an extraordinary responsibility. Its artistic and cultural heritage is so vast that it is often described as an open-air museum. From the Alps to Sicily, every city, town, and village preserves evidence of more than two thousand years of history. Greek temples, Roman amphitheaters, medieval castles, cathedrals, Renais- sance palaces, villas, museums, archaeological sites, and Preserving the past to shape the future through art From the Editor countless works of art form a heritage unlike any other. It belongs not only to Italians but to humanity as a whole, reflected in Italy's world-leading 61 UNESCO World Her- itage Sites. Art, however, is not simply a collection of objects. It is the language through which civilizations have expressed their vision of the world, and losing a work of art means losing part of our collective memory. That is why conservation is so important. Restoration does not simply mean repairing a damaged work, it means studying it, understanding it, pro- tecting it, and passing it on to future generations. This is where technology has become indispensable. Mul- tispectral imaging, X-rays, three-dimensional scanning, thermal imaging, and chemical analysis now allow special- ists to examine the internal structure of works of art without damaging them, providing valuable information that would otherwise be impossible to obtain. Yet every restoration pro- ject remains the result of a delicate balance between scientif- ic expertise, artistic sensitivity, and professional skill. In other words, modern technology is most effective when it is supported by the humanistic knowledge and cultural legacy that art and history have handed down to us. For many years, museums were also perceived as static, even "boring" places, intended mainly for scholars or enthu- siasts. Today, that perception has changed dramatically. The modern museum is a dynamic space where scientific research, education, social inclusion, and innovation come together to make cultural heritage accessible to everyone. Every gallery represents a chapter in a much larger story, one in which art, archaeology, anthropology, science, and technology engage in an ongoing dialogue, helping trans- form cultural heritage into a source of both personal and col- lective growth. Interactive workshops, multisensory experi- e n c e s , a n d e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r a m s e n c o u r a g e a c t i v e participation, moving beyond the outdated notion of the pas- sive museum visit. When three-dimensional laser scanning makes it possible to create remarkably accurate digital replicas, when drones allow surveys of historic buildings that would otherwise be impossible, and when digital databases enable researchers around the world to access millions of records instantly, it becomes clear that the ancient world cannot be separated from the modern one. Technology does not replace our original cultural heritage. Rather, it expands our ability to understand it, preserve it, and share it. The future of culture will not be built by setting the past against innovation, but through an ongoing dialogue between the two. If Italy possesses an extraordinary cultural legacy that remains one of the defining elements of its identity and one of its greatest strengths on the international stage, serving as its custodian is both a tremendous responsibility and a unique opportunity for cultural, social, and economic growth that benefits everyone. Ultimately, true innovation lies not in artificial intelli- gence or digital devices themselves, but in our ability to place technology at the service of culture, ensuring that our artistic heritage continues to be a source of knowledge, beau- ty, and collective growth for generations to come. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114

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