ITALIAN AMERICAN IDENTITY
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<img alt="Allegrettacover-1458503528" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/293449/AllegrettaCover-1458503528.jpg"></p>
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<strong><u>AM I ITALIAN? AM I AMERICAN?</u></strong></p>
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I was born in New York to an American mother. My father is from Italy. I have lived for the last 11 years in Belgium. Who am I? On paper, I am Italian-American. Although I grew up in America, I do not feel American. And - with all respect - I am certainly not Belgian. I am Italian? While I feel most associated with this nationality, I have never lived in Italy. How can I 'be' Italian when I do not even know the 'being' of the country itself? Who am I in Italy?</p>
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These are the questions that I want to explore while at the artist residency Fusion Air in Torino, Italy during the summer. This exploration of country and self will be interpreted in my primary medium: mosaic. This medium (with its origins in Italy) is not a coincidence, but a conscience choice I took in 2008 when I started working with glass and marble.</p>
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The result of this exploration will be an exhibition of my work at the gallery Fusion Art. </p>
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An overview of my current work can be found on my website: <a href="http://www.allegrettamosaico.com" target="_blank">www.allegrettamosaico.com</a></p>
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VIDEO:</p>
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<a href="http://www.brusselnieuws.be/en/video/tvbrussel/mosaic-artist-aaf-its-important-wear-eye-protection-because-glass-tends-fly" target="_blank">What is mosaic in relation to the Accessible Art Fair?</a></p>
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<img alt="Videoallegretta-1458037821" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/290803/VideoAllegretta-1458037821.jpg"></p>
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<img alt="Allegrettahands-1458504057" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/293451/AllegrettaHands-1458504057.jpg"></p>
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<strong><u>YOUR HELP IS SO VERY IMPORTANT!</u></strong></p>
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With your support, I can pursue my passion...which is not only to create beautiful art, but my ultimate dream is to give a piece of myself to others and leave something behind for future generations. In my attempt to create work that is 'everlasting', I only use the finest of materials: Italian glass and gold glass (smalti) as well as marble.</p>
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In addition, your funding will help me in this specific case to create a series of work that focuses on my identity as an American-Italian. The piece will be composed of marble and gold glass and will take on its own life throughout the course of my time at the residency. Each experience that I will have in Torino will be reflected in the body of work. </p>
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<u>The funds collected will support the following:</u></p>
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Residency Costs: 1800 EUR</p>
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Materials (Marble & Gold Smalti): 1000 EUR</p>
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Transportation: 200 EUR</p>
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**I am very thankful and appreciative of any and all help. A huge thank you in advance!**</p>
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<img alt="Allegretta_materials-1457099766" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/286004/Allegretta_Materials-1457099766.jpg"></p>
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<img alt="Allegrettaaaf-1458506018" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/293473/AllegrettaAAF-1458506018.jpg"></p>
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