Ancora! is done...

Ancora! is a continuation of earlier investigations into migrant ethnicity, identity and modes of assimilation. While in other works, such as Memory Deep, I used mimicry and humour to explore pop culture models of Italian identity, Ancora! looks more closely at the definitions and stereotypes of the ‘authentic’. Once again grappling with the hybridity of being a third generation Italian-Australian, Ancora! opened a path to discover the variations between Nonna’s kitchen and Milanese fashion houses, to find who ‘real’ Italians actually are. 

I had initially planned to make a series of videos highlighting the frustrations of linguistic barriers and the degree of estrangement or involvement they can impose on an ‘outsider’. I was required to repeat a sequence of phrases in Italian, with the ‘authentic’ interrupting where necessary to correct me. The phrases consisted of a one-sided conversation, a monologue listing the excuses for never having been to Italy, for not being able to speak Italian, for being born on the Gold Coast etc.

After placing an advertisement on Gumtree looking for native Italians to participate in the videos, I received several responses, incidentally all from men. As the correspondence through Gumtree, Facebook, email and text message went on, a fascinating story began to unfold, which I felt spoke more clearly than any video I could produce. It divulged the hidden layers of the male Italian psyche – a realm doubly mysterious to me in both its assertion of a national identity and its affirmation of being my sexual other. The digitally composed soundtrack was made to give a realistic voice to the cyber-reality in which these stories exist. In a game of spot-the-authentic, the photographic series depicts four men of different ages, from different regions of Italy, dressed in what I refer to methodologically as my ‘Italian Suit’. In the headscarf and dressing gown that reminds all five of us of our grandmothers, descriptions of gender and ethnicity begin to blur into one another.

As the participants volunteered without payment, the notion of exploitation must be considered. While each respondent had a unique motivation, many ranging from boredom and loneliness to curiosity and genuine interest, the spectrum of difference would ultimately, and perhaps inevitably result in one final purpose: that is, my ability to manipulate these people into works of art. This allows me to tell a story in spite of my severance from language, culture and roots. It is through my interpretation of who they are, who I am, and my ability to impose that upon them that I can identify the absurdity of the ‘authentic’. Anyone can be real, just as anyone can be a farce. It the context of the story that decides.

Raw materients...

Ancora! Photographs

WOGLOG

WANTED: Native Italian for performance video art.

I am looking for a native Italian to participate in a video performance I am making about third generation migrant ethnicity. The Italian person is basically required to listen to me say some phrases in Italian (the phrases are excuses for my cultural ignorance) and I am to repeat those phrases with her/him correcting me where necessary, until she/he is satisfied with my pronunciation. 

If you would like to know more about my work please visit my blog here: 


http://altitudinalalterity.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/exegesis_25.html 



or you can watch one of my videos here: 
http://vimeo.com/34186933 

Thanks, Cassandra

From Gumtree on March 17 2012 at 7:49 PM, Cassandra wrote:


Maybe we can help each other?

From Gumtree On March 17 at  9:01 PM, Italian wrote:

ai am Italian haha giv mi mor informations ;-)

From Gumtree On March 17 at 9:41 PM, Cassandra wrote:

What else would you like to know? I will probably film the video in a studio at the Queensland College of Art in South Bank. In the video you don't have to say anything other than 'si' or 'no' unless you want to. Tell me some things about yourself, such as where in Italy you are from and why you would like to be in my video. 

Grazie!

From Gumtree On March 18 at 10:17 AM, Italian wrote:

Yes, hoo ar yoo and were doo yoo cam from?


Ceers
Andrea

From Gumtree On March 18 at 8:04 PM, Cassandra wrote:

My name is Cassandra, I am an Australian art student living in Brisbane. My request is a little more specific than a language swap. I would like to make a video performance about my Italian heritage. I am looking for a native Italian (or very convincing Italian speaker) to participate in a video performance I am making about third generation migrant ethnicity. The Italian person is basically required to jot down some phrases in Italian and I am to repeat those phrases with her/him correcting me where necessary, until she/he is satisfied with my pronunciation. 

If this is something you think you might be interested in helping me with, write back with more information about yourself and maybe we can meet up. 

Thanks, 

Cassandra

From Gumtree On March 18 at 11:15 AM, Italian wrote:

Hhello 
aim ah twenty faiv gay,

from italy. 
Aiv bin here in australia,

sinz tree and half months.

ákchully aim in brisban sinz a cappl ov vik. 
ai grraduayt from accademy ov fain arts,

in graphic desain,

 in october too towzand eleven. 
I alredi did sum video works in mai cantri,

and ai hav sum video experienz. 
Let mi no if yo ar interested. 
Ceers 
Daniele

From Gumtree On March 18 at 11:30 AM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Daniele, 

What sort of videos have you made? Do you have any online that I could see? Perhaps if you're free we could meet on Tuesday afternoon and I can get a chance to see if you're what I'm looking for in the video. 

Thanks, Cassandra


From Facebook on March 19 at 4:03PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Dan, I'm a friend of Sophie's. She told me you might be able to help me out with a video I'm making because I need someone who speaks and looks Italian. Just wondering if you'd be available?

On March 19 at 9:39PM, Dan wrote:

Yeh, that shud not bi ah problem.

On March 25 at 6.50PM, Dan's friend Peter wrote:

Spiks Italian bat looks laik ah derti Mexican hahahahaha

On March 26 at 4:30PM, Cassandra wrote:

OK great. If it's alright with you I'd like to meet you first, just to make sure you're right for the video. We could meet for a coffee some time?

From Gumtree On March 19 at 4:19 PM, Italian wrote:


Dir Cassandra,
ai ama twenty six yeers old gay.

ai giast took  too maunth ago mai degree and aim carrently heer to improve mai inglish, and travel. Ov cors if ail faind somthing heer, ai want to leev ther. Aimm frendly and open mainded person. 
ai put mai ad for a langwadj exchandj so, ai can exchange wat yoo ask mi with a lesson.
Wat yoo tink abowt it?
Ceers
Andrea

From Gumtree On March 19 at 3:49 PM, Italian wrote:

Yes! Let's doo it! Aim Leo, nativ Italian

From Gumtree On March 19 at 5:09 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hey Leo, 

I'd just like a bit more information first. Please tell me where in Italy you are from, your age and how long you've been in Australia for. Also, I'm interested to know why you'd like to be in the video. If you're free tomorrow afternoon we can meet at South Bank so I can see if you're right for the video. 

Molto grazie, 

Cassandra

From email On March 19 at 5:33 PM, Italian wrote:

Hai Cassandra,

Mai full naym is Maurilio EMANUELE,

bat, obviosly,

ozis wud never say it correctly

so aim nown as Leo.

aim from ah plays cald pescara

it is in de abruzzi region

almost de saym lattitewd as rome, giast on de opposit cost.

mi and mai Gerlfriend ferst landed here in brisban on de twenty fort september too towzand ten,

so ui ar kwait new,

bat in de far naintin aiyti nain to nainti, ai livd in briten for a wail.

wai ai wanna do de video…

well, aiv bin involvd in many tings laik dat.

ai don't consider maiself an artist bat ai reckon dat de art will sayv de world

(if it will ever be sayvd)

ai didn't no ai was ganna appeer in da video,

ai giast taut dat ai had to help yoo wit de pronunzation of sum words

bat anyway is fain for mi.

ai tink ov maiself as fri from de moni grid

in a world dat always expect a sertain amount ov moni in ciandj ov sumting.

ai laik to ciandj mai taime wit nu experienzes, self impruvmenz, discoveris, interestin ciats and human filins as gratitud and frendship.

if it is fain for yew,

ai can bi at sowt bank stayshon at about three pee em,

as at faiv ai hav an appoyntment wit mai immigrayshon loyer.

if yoo fanzi a ril cioccolata calda or ah proper cappucino,

ui can also mitt at pane e vino in de siti.

a presto.

From email On 19 March at 5:40 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Leo, 

As much as I would love a hot chocolate, I have to stay in South Bank for my next class at uni. There is a cafe called Garage in between Little Stanley street and Grey street. 3pm is perfect for me. My number is 0488997337. Let me know if you can't make it.

From email  On March 19, at 5:46 PM, Italian wrote:

Ok Cassandra,

 meet you der.

three sharp!

Ciao

Leo

From gumtree On March 19, at 4:25 PM, Italian wrote:

Ehi, aim an Italian student stadying inglish, in Brisban. mai naym is Dario, and aim from Roma. ai giast watzed yor video, and red yor blog, so maybe ai can help yew; Becoz of mai hóliday from school, I hav plenty of fri taim at de moment; giasst let mi no.

From gumtree On March 19 at 7:16 PM, Italian wrote:

ai replaid to de email yoo sent mi.

bat aim not shur yoo can reziv it;

 giast let mi no;

 Dario

From email On 19 March at 7:29 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Dario, 

Thanks for getting back to me. Perhaps if you're free we could meet tomorrow afternoon and I can get a chance to see if you're what I'm looking for in the video. But first, I am interested to know why you would like to be in the video. 

Grazie!

Cassandra

From email On march 19 at 7:40 PM, Italian wrote:

hai Cassandra,

akchully ai towt yew giast nidid sum help wit yor italian pronanziayshon.

ai didn't no ai wud appeer in de video.

bat ui can tork abowt it.

ai min, aiv never tayken part,

 as an actor in a video or sumting laik dat.

ai cud appeer in it giast becoz,

 ai faund yor prodject interesting

bai de way, tomorrow afternun ai will bi fri,

 and if yew want ui can mit.

ai liv in de siti so its ap to yoo abowt de plays and taim.

ciao,

dario

From text message, on March 20 at 10:46 AM, Italian wrote:

Good morning, ai ges de café is espresso garadj. OKAY, see yoo der at too pi em.

On March 20, at 12:08 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Okay Dario, see you there at 2.

From text message on March 20 at 2:27 PM, Italian wrote:

Hai.

it's Leo.

aim alredi at de cafe if yor fri.

From text message On March 20 at 2:27 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Leo, I'll just be about 10 minutes. See you soon.

From text message On March 20 at 3:35 PM, Italian wrote:

Sarah sed yew ar ah ray ov lait,

shes rait.

ui ar hapi dat ui met.

a presto! 

From text message On March 20 at 3:35 PM, Cassandra wrote:

You two are lovely. I'm looking forward to meeting again :) A presto!

From gumtree On March 23 at 11:59 PM, cassandra wrote:

Hi Andrea, 

Sorry for my late response. I'd like to meet you first so I can make sure you're right for the video. Also, I'm curious to know what part of Italy you are from and why (if there is any other reason aside from a language swap) that you would like to be in the video. I'd be happy to give you a lesson in exchange. 

Cheers, 

Cassandra 

From gumtree On March 23 at 2:59 AM, Italian wrote:

Hello,

ai helpd de director wit futadj,

 and ather staff for dis cappl ov videos

vimeo.com/8647340

vimeo.com/10520817

dis ather uan descraibs mai experienz with videos

www.facebook.com/profile.php

bat akchully ai don't no if yew can rice de payge.

ai liv in new farm akchully and ui can fix an appoyntment if haven't alredi faind summon els.

Ceers

Daniele


From gumtree On March 23, at 10:13 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Daniele, 

Those videos are interesting. I need you more for your voice/presence in the video, rather than to film it. So I'd like to know just a little more about you, such as where in Italy you are from and why you would like to be in the video.

Cheers, 

Cassandra

From email On March 23, at 10:04 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hey Leo, 

Hope you and Sarah had a good week :) 

I'm going to try to book a room at uni for this Thursday afternoon if that is a time that suits you. In the mean time, here is the list of quotations, first in Italian and then in English:

"Mi dispiace, non capisco"

"Si, dalla parte di mia madre di famiglia"

"No, non è nata li, è nata qui."

"No, non ha mai imparato."

"Un po'."

"Si, vergognava che suoi genitori erano liberali."

"Io non me ne pento, è interessante per me."

"No, ma un giorno lo sarò, lo voglio daverro."

"Si, lo so."

"Si."

"Stai cercando di farmi sentire male?"

"Beh, mi ci è voluto un po' per rendermi conto che questo è importante."

"Si."

"Questo è ciò che è per la mia arte."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"Yes, on my mother's side of the family."

"No, she wasn't born there, she was born here."

"No, she never learnt it."

"A little bit."

"She was ashamed and her parents were liberal."

"I don't regret it, it's interesting to me."

"No, but one day I will. I really want to."

"Yes, I know."

"Yes."

"Are you trying to make me feel bad?"

"Well, it took me a while to realise this is important."

"Yes."

"That is what my art is for."

If you wouldn't mind checking that my translations are correct I would really appreciate it. 

Talk soon!

Cassandra

From email On march 23, at 10:06 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Dario, 

It was really great to meet you the other day. I'm going to try to book a room at uni for this Friday afternoon if that is a time that suits you. In the mean time, here is the list of quotations, first in Italian and then in English:

"Mi dispiace, non capisco"

"Si, dalla parte di mia madre di famiglia"

"No, non è nata li, è nata qui."

"No, non ha mai imparato."

"Un po'."

"Si, vergognava che suoi genitori erano liberali."

"Io non me ne pento, è interessante per me."

"No, ma un giorno lo sarò, lo voglio daverro."

"Si, lo so."

"Si."

"Stai cercando di farmi sentire male?"

"Beh, mi ci è voluto un po' per rendermi conto che questo è importante."

"Si."

"Questo è ciò che è per la mia arte."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"Yes, on my mother's side of the family."

"No, she wasn't born there, she was born here."

"No, she never learnt it."

"A little bit."

"She was ashamed and her parents were liberal."

"I don't regret it, it's interesting to me."

"No, but one day I will. I really want to."

"Yes, I know."

"Yes."

"Are you trying to make me feel bad?"

"Well, it took me a while to realise this is important."

"Yes."

"That is what my art is for."

If you wouldn't mind checking that my translations are correct I would really appreciate it. Then I can practice them and you can practice correcting me :)

Talk soon!

Cassandra

From text message on March 28 at 6:59 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hey Leo, just wondering if you are free on Monday for some filming?

From gumtree On April 1 at 5:42 PM, Italian wrote:

hai,

aim nativ Italian, Italiano al wan handret persent!

Eef yew need mi, yew can contact mi on mai imel.

Ai liv in auchenflower at the moment and ai don't have a car.

bat ui can see itch other around or werr ai liv!

si yew

From email On April 1, at 8:12 PM, Italian wrote:

No wuaris, meglio tardi che mai.

 (layt is better dan never)

ai can correct sum of the phrases,

 and also sum athers mor colloquial

(altho they'r not wrong yushuli, in evridai spiking, they ar sed

slaitly differently.

Okay hirs de list:

Mi spiace, non ti capisco.

Si, da parte della famiglia di mia madre.

No, non è nata laggiù, è nata qui.

No lei non ha mai imparato.

Un pochino.

Si vergognava che i suoi genitori fossero ........ (we have a problem here,

liberali as an adjective can be transalted "liberali" but you mean it in a

political sense so you have to explain me what was their political philosophy,

if you call them "liberali" in italian you mean capitalist!)

Non me ne pento, anzi, per me è interessante.

No, ma un giorno lo sarò (or "diventerò"?), lo voglio davvero.

Si lo so.

Si.

Stai cercando di (or Vuoi) farmi star male?(or sentir in colpa?)

Beh, mi ci è voluto un po' per rendermi conto che questa è una cosa

importante.

Si.

A questo serve la mia arte

Didn't min too chaing them sow mach bat aim traiyng too understand wat is the

reel mining ov wat yoo want translayted.

Anyway we can always isily fix it, I'll bring bay mai dikxonari giast in

cayse...

From gumtree On April 1 at 12:25 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Nicola,

Thanks for your response. I'd like to know a little bit about you, such as where in Italy you are from and why you'd like to be in the video. If you're free some time this week maybe we can meet for a coffee so I can get a chance to see if you're right for the video.

Grazie! Cassandra

From email On April 2 at 10:48 AM, Italian wrote:

Hai cassandra,

ai liv in reggio emilia, north ov italy. mai italian is kwait clir and ai don't hav enny strong accent deriving from dialect. ai don't no lots of peeple in brisban at the moment, that's wai aii anserd yor messag.  aim kwait shor ai will bi aybel to mit noo peeple and hav fun mayking this thing. aim looking for a giob so aim kwait fri to mit you if yoo think ai can help yoo. ciao


From email On April 2, at 6:51 PM, Italian wrote:

Hai,

ai hav sin sam ov yor video, crayzy girl!! abowt tomorrow its alraiyt, ai hav an intervyoo layter in the afternoon bat ai can mit yoo at arownd wan o clock in espresso garadj…is it in grey strit? this is mai fonn namber: zero for too for nain three wan seven zero zero, so if yoo dont si mi yoo can giv me a call at sam poynt! bai!

From email On April 2 at 7:12 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Nicola, 

Unfortunately I have to reschedule our meeting for tomorrow. Maybe Wednesday is ok for you instead? If not, let me know when you're free. 

Sorry for the inconvenience.

A presto!



From email On April 3 at 11:26 AM, Italian wrote:

ciao,

tomorrow is alraiyt too, ai havnt got a lot to do at the moment! ai prefer in the afternoon, laik three for o clock. 

From email On April 4 at 12:03 PM, Cassandra wrote:
ok nicola, sorry for the late response, i'll meet you at garage at 3.30 if its ok.

ciao :)

From email On April 5 at 10:31 AM, Cassandra wrote:

Ciao Nicola!

My address is 33 Prospect Terrace, Kelvin Grove. If you take the 345 from King Georges Square you can stop just a little after the Red Rooster on Kelvin Grove Road, then I live very close to there. 3 or 330 is fine. 

See you soon!

Cassandra

From email On April 6 at 9:29 AM, Italian wrote:

okay, a dopo! let mi no if ai hav too bring ennything.

From gumtree On April 9 at 8:43 PM, Italian wrote:

ai am italian, how mach do yoo pay? :)

From email on April 19 at 1:25 PM, Italian wrote:

hai casssandra,

how was yor wog ister wik? will be happy to cam arownd to shoot the pics, next wik will be fri the holl wik antil thursday (the twainteeseventh) cos on fraiday wi are catching a flaiyt to italy. samthing cam up saddenly so wi hav to hav a kwik trip over there. will be bak very soon ennyway, in no longer than a capel ov wiks.

Un abbraccio, Sarah and Maurilio

From text message on April 19 at 3:18 PM, Italian wrote:

Okay, ai hav skool from monday to thursday and yushuly hav the afternoon and naiyt fri. let mi no in advanz. ciao.

From text message on April 19 at 6:24 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Okay cool, I'll let you know :)

From text message on April 24 at 8:49 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Luca, my name is Cassandra. I am looking for an Italian to be in a performance video I am making and my lecturer, Maura Reilly, told me you might be able to help me? Let me know if you're interested. I'll be filming this week. Cheers, Cassandra.

From text message on April 24 at 11:13 PM, Italian wrote:

Hai Cassandra, Wat's the video abowt it? It souwds interesting….wen will yoo film it?

From text message on April 25 at 12:15 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Ummmm. The video is basically about my ignorance of my own culture (not being able to speak Italian). I'm just gonna say some phrases in Italian and you have to correct my pronunciation until I get it right. There will be four videos in total. I've already shot three. There's no rush to film your video but I do need to take a photograph of you (along with the other Italians) as soon as possible. Would you be free tomorrow?

From text message on April 25 at 1:52 PM, Italian wrote:

Okay…hoo ar the other italians? ai maiyt no them. tomorrow ail work ten ay em to three pee em and faiv pee em to ten pee em.

From text message on April 25 at 6:51 PM, Cassandra wrote:

One is called Maurilio from Abruzzo, one is Dario from Rome, the other has disappeared to go fruit picking so I'm gonna need to find one more. If you can come between three and five it would be great. The address is 226 Grey street, south bank. text me when you get there.

From text message on April 25 at 12:19 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Ciao mi amici! Just wondering if you'll be available at 9 tomorrow to come to uni for the photo shoot? Leo, I know it might be cutting it a bit close for you so just let me know if it's a problem and I'll wait till you get back. See you soon. X

From text message on April 25 at 12:23 PM, Italian wrote:

ahm, ai hav skool at nain ay em. ail bi fri from too therti pee em or fraiday…dario.

From text message on April 25 at 6:42 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Okay, if you can come after school that will be fine.

From text message on April 25 at 4:20 PM, Italian wrote:

Wil wi bi tayking the shots at yor plays? Doo yoo want mi too weyr samthing spesifical?

From text message on April 25 at 6:46 PM, Cassandra wrote:

At uni. I'm just gonna bring the head scarf and dressing gown for you to put on. I'm not sure if you'll get to meet the others because none of them are available till afternoon. But definitely we should meet them when you return. A domain!

From text message on April 25 at 8:08 PM, Italian wrote:

Hedscarf and gown? okay ci vediamo domattina

From text message on April 26 at 8:58 AM, Italian wrote:

Wi ar at the yooshual plays…having brakky a switopia.

From text message on April 26 at 8:59 AM, Cassandra wrote:

Okay guys have your breakfast then I'll meet you on grey street.

From text message on April 26 at 9:05 AM, Italian wrote:

Weyr reddy, wayting at food works.

From text message on April 26 at 11:01 AM, Italian wrote:

Okay, giast tel me wer exactly. Ai wil finish at skool arownd too thurtee.

From text message on April 26 at 1:08 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Okay, if you go to the food works on the corner of grey street i'll see you there :)

From text message on April 26 at 2:56 PM, Italian wrote:

aim ther.

From text message on May 3 at 7:48 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Luca it's Cass. I remember you said you are usually free on Mondays. Would you be free for filming on the 14th? I'll email you the details tonight.

From text message on May 3 at 8:41 PM, Italian wrote:

Yes shood bi okay…morning or afternoon?

From text message on May 5 at 5:48 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hi Marco, my name is Cassandra. My friend Monica told me you might be able to help me out with a video project I'm working on for uni. If you're interested let me know when you're free. We can meet for a coffee to discuss the details. Cheers!

From text message on May 5 at 10:19 PM, Italian wrote:

Coming bac from Melbourne on Wednesday lanch. Wat abowt in the ivening?

From text message on May 7 at 4:37 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Sure. What time suits you?

From text message on May 7 at 8:27 PM, Italian wrote:

laik six or seven

From text message on May 8 at 10:54 AM, Cassandra wrote:

You wouldn't happen to be free during the day on Thursday would you? If not, 6 is fine.

From text message on May 8 at 11:35 AM, Italian wrote:

No cos aim working all day long :/

From text message on May 8 at 12:00 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Ok no problem, well what's a good place to meet? we could get a drink at olé in southbank.

From text message on May 8 at 12:31 PM, Italian wrote:

yeh it sownds good, at six ther :)

From text message on May 8 at 1:00PM, Cassandra wrote:

k see you then!

From text message on May 9 at 3:15 PM, Cassandra wrote:

hey is it okay if we meet tomorrow or friday?

From text message on May 9 at 3:34 PM, Italian wrote:

akshuly from tomorrow til sat ai work all dai long :/

From text message on may 9 at 3:35 PM, Cassandra wrote:

ok. i forgot about an arrangement this evening. would 7 or 7:30 be okay tonight?

From text message on may 9 at 3:38 PM, Italian wrote:

seven thurti is fain =)

From text message on may 9 at 3:49 PM, Cassandra wrote:

do you know groove train in king george's square? if we can go there i'll buy the vino :)

From text message on may 15 at 7:56 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hey! You wouldn't happen to be free on Thursday evening would you? If you can come into uni I can take your photo. It'll only take 5 minutes.

From text message on may 15 at 7:58 PM, Italian wrote:

Wat taim laik?

From text message on may 15 at 8:01 PM, Cassandra wrote:

After 5, prob 5:30 or 6.

From text message on may 15 at 8:01 PM, Italian wrote:

Wer…in the siti campas?

From text message on may 15 at 10:09 PM, Cassandra wrote:

South Bank

From text message on may 17 at 2:09 PM, Cassandra wrote:

Hey Marco, do you think you'll be able to stop by tonight?