A R C H I V E2 0 0 1  
19th
  Cesare Davolio
Annunciation
 
  Italy / Netherlands 2001
Cd-rom, Mac/PC
 
'Annunciation' covers an historical incident: the kidnapping and execution by the Red Brigade of the chairman of the Italian Democrazia Cristiana, Aldo Moro. A selection of documentary material gives the viewer a picture of the events taking place in the spring of 1978 between the Red Brigade, Moro and Italian politics during the 54-day-long kidnapping. Davolio uses fragments of television commentary, telephone conversations between kidnappers and family, communiquÈs from the Red Brigade, letters from Moro, analyses by writers (Sciascia) and political scientists. His choice and the graphic design of the material ensure that the emotional impact of the events can be felt again.

'Annunciation' is carried by its content, not by Director magic tricks or game technology for happy clickers. This is no educational CD-ROM, and even less 'radical chic' - Davolio cannot be accused of sensationalism or of showing off with 'hip seventies' terrorism'. 'Annunciation' is a poetic reflection of history, an artistic effort to place and deal with the recent past. Davolio finds visual inspiration in the DIY aesthetics of this revolutionary movement of the seventies. Graphic elements, animations and religious metaphor reflect his view of the events.

Davolio is concerned with the symbolic significance of the Moro case. The CD-ROM outlines the hopeless position of the Red Brigade - entangled in a web of violence - as well as the hypocrisy of Moro's fellow party members. Central however is the tragedy of Moro, a man who proves to be more sincere and just than either his friends or his enemies. If you see 'Annunciation' you will understand why Moro, as icon, can only be compared to John F. Kennedy.

'Annunciation' shows how Moro grows to become a moral beacon, almost a saint, in the midst of violence, corruption and hypocrisy. His death is the announcement, the annunciation, of the new Italian politics. Then begins the difficult battle against corruption - the big cleanup. Or, as Dirk van Weelden writes: "'Annunciation' wants to show us the traces of a sincere political feeling, the passion for a just political system [...] A kind of melancholy is expressed, critical melancholy, that expects no answer but which, in poetical reflection, finds the right questions."

– Arie Altena


Concept, research, design, execution Cesare Davolio, music composed and selected by Kees van Zelst, programming Ines Gall. Published by Mediamatic Foundation as Mediamatic Off-Line vol. 10#2, 2001

Cesare Davolio ° 1963, Capri, Italy
Lives and works in Rotterdam, Netherlands


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