L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 www.italoamericano.org 12 L'Italo-Americano MANUELA CARACCIOLO I n the heart of Sicily, we can still find very rare images of ancient arts-and-crafts tradi- tions, but unfortunately we are losing track of them. A symbol of our land, one bursting with local history and tra- dition, is the Sicilian carriage, which was used in the past for transportation, and from time to time is featured in historic, chival- rous and religious epic literary scenes. Let's talk about everyday tools and means of transport that have become a symbol of folklore and that, thanks to a photographer who loves his land, are still alive in our memories. Photographer Mario Cuccia, a Sicilian doc, has made sure to freeze time and capture their iden- tity in snapshots. Passionate about images relat- ed to his land, especially religious festivals and popular traditions, he has immortalized the very rare examples of the typical carriage that still exist, with the elaborate workmanship and decorations that make each piece unique. While traveling around the island in the company of the painter Ubaldo Castrovinci, he was able to better reach his goal, and in 2012, gave life to a project known as Le architetture del car- retto siciliano (The Sicilian Carthusian Architectures). This includes a rich volume published five years ago by Plumelia, with photographer Mario Cuccia's wonderful images and Castrovinci's data sheet explaining to everyone how to build a Sicilian cart. An evocative exhibition by the same name was set up and took place in Palermo, Erice, Santa Margherita Belice, Corleone and Monreale in the last two years. We were told about his busi- ness. "The idea originates from the will to bring the images of an ancient culture that is barely sur- viving and will soon disappear altogether to the present, and most of all, to the future. In my snap- shots I pour out every ounce of ability man possesses to create artistic objects of high historical value. The idea was to photograph unrepeatable moments. Behind the construction of each carriage - art almost completely disappeared - we find precision of motion, use of materials and tools, as well as a technical preparation that gives life to a product whose bill has been handed down from genera- tion to generation. My job was to capture the moment when every- thing that revolves around Carretto's construction becomes art, history and heritage to pre- serve and share it before it disap- pears." In addition to the rich decora- tive details, the ever-changing carvings and the Carthusian paint- ing work, the construction of an object actually has very precise rules. "A phase that struck me, and I wanted to photograph more of, was the act of positioning the rim (of the wheel), which is embedded with millimeter precision and at very high temperatures, so that it can be easily inserted between the stone pin and the wooden frame. Here, that moment captures the power and emotion of something solemn, where elements of nature such as stone, fire and water— which is used to tame the flames and maintain the shape of the wheel—are now used by man to create a tool." The carriage must be traced back to its origins, to the means of transport that preceded it, so we can study the evolution of con- structive techniques from the "car- ruzzuni ri voi," the sled-wagons— wheels with a central shaft, towed by a couple of oxen—to when it was finally replaced by two poles pulled by one animal. In the nine- teenth century, the dramatically improved road conditions led to a structural improvement and an evolution of what it was used to carry. Yet these outdated images, if conjured, continue to restore a dream. "Another fascinating aspect is the decoration, which I have docu- mented in several snapshots, and we expect to have the participa- tion of more artistic assistants. There are carpenters, sculptors, and painters down the road who look for images to reproduce. We still have the ancient method of reproducing images involving action, such as fighting scenes of picturesque armies, in our modern day comic books. A vignette resembling the drawing is used so it can then be brought back to the wood where it will take shape and form. And finally, there is the del- icate phase of painting, all by hand. "It would be great to bring this exhibition throughout Italy and abroad as well, and to promote a similar popular activity within schools to raise the awareness of students to the history of this ele- ment that represents our tradition so well, but now is only used for country shows and parties." It has been in the news recent- ly that this year, during the Taormina G7, a carriage was set up in the 40 hotels that welcomed the Heads of State and Government and the 20 delega- tions as a symbol of Sicily and the traditions of the land, as well as to give a symbolic welcome to all the illustrious guests of the inter- national political meeting. The initiative promoted by the Assessorato regionale al Turismo (Regional Council for Tourism) shows how the conservation of traditions is part of the DNA of a land, defining it and giving it added value. "The Sicilian Carriage that we have nominated for Unesco's immaterial cultural heritage," explained the regional councilor Anthony Barbagallo, "was a sym- bolic way to welcome the insignia of Sicilian-ness and our best tradi- tions to all G7 participants in our wonderful land of Sicily. Our car- riages have been impeccable hosts and authentic protagonists in the eyes of the whole world. " "It is important to pass on Sicilian art and, in particular, that of the Sicilian carriage as an inte- gral part of the island's history," said Cuccia, "it is fundamental to have the right historical spaces that represent our history to make culture, art and traditions avail- able so they can be passed down to new generations. In the Duchy's shop in Bagheria, where I took a lot of photos for the col- lection, the craft of the Sicilian carriage was handed down from father to son through the represen- tation of carved and painted prints on wood that were enriched and embellished with an explosion of colors representative of our land." The Sicilian tradition of the carriage comes alive in the photos of Mario Cuccia LIFE PEOPLE MOVIES MUSIC BOOKS Side of the carriage with magnificent pictorial decoration. Photo: Mario Cuccia Details of the spokes – highlighting the pins and bolt. Photo: Mario Cuccia The "carradore' controls the less refined wheel. Photo: Mario Cuccia

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