A story that represents the allegory of the eternal journey in search of perfection. Authors two Italian artists who have lived in Muscat, Oman for years. The fairy tale of Venice and the incense route has arrived at the Venice Biennale (April-November 2024) as an interpretation of the theme: “Foreigners everywhere”. Interview with Luca Moretti and Lucia Oliva.
From Russia with loveonce read the title of a famous James Bond film. “From Italy for Love” could be used to tell the story of story of Luca Moretti and Lucia Oliva, multifaceted Italian artists who have been living in Oman for several years and recently authors of a complex cultural project entitled “The Fairy Tale of Venice and the Incense Route”which had its premiere in the Omani capital at the beginning of the year and then landed in Venice Biennaleas a peculiar interpretation of the theme of this edition “Foreigners Everywhere”with a grand opening event at the Oman Pavilion.
Their decades-long period of artistic activity in the Arab world It is so rich in human experiences that it would require much more than these few lines to be able to tell it, bringing to light the richness of relationships born with people from different countries and cultures, in a virtuous comparison that disproves false clichés often spread by the media.
«Once upon a time, in a distant era still shrouded in mystery, there was a couple of eclectic scholars and time travellers who, during a transition between different chronological dimensions, experienced the enchantment of a sublime perfume, one that bewitched the senses and made them unforgettable…».
The Tale of Venice and the Incense Route can be summed up as a multidisciplinary artistic creation combining film, photography, literature, poetry and art, a work within a workin the work, in the work… whose different components complement and enhance each other.
«It is the result of a strong human experience that has united Italian and Omani professionalswith the involvement of some amateur collaborations from both countries and beyond. Everyone worked side by side with passion and enthusiasm, sharing a clear vision and purpose: to create a bridge between different civilizations and an example of fruitful cooperation interdisciplinary and intercultural between people with their own particular roots and sensibilities”, say Luca and Lucia, to whom we ask to elaborate on some aspects.
In a world like today’s, does it still make sense to talk about a fairy tale?
The narrative style chosen is that of the classic fairy tale, which has ancient roots in all cultures and which for this very reason deserves to be protected and preserved.
In a nutshell, what is your project? A film or a book?
It is a story expressed through different media: a film, a narration through images, prose and poetry, with verses by Lucia Oliva inspired by the Divine Comedy and photographic scenes by Luca Rajna (co-author of the project), collected in a book. The latter in turn came to life in a second film, with a narrative voice in verse by the well-known theater actress Mascia Musy. The high cultural value of the project has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Information of Oman, by the Italian Embassy and by Unesco International Action Art.
What has been achieved is only the first step of a journey that is continuing… but that is another story. What does Dante have to do with Venice and incense?
The interpretative key is focused on the eternal going, on the journey that every human being is called to undertake: what else is life if not a continuous search for elevation? And what story better than the Comedy embodies the ideal yearning to reach the highest good?
Our story presents the allegorical narration of a journey in search of the “Perfect Fragrance” and the scenic action is marked by the encounter with various symbols: “The Enigma”, the turning point of the story, followed by the encounter with famous alchemical mottos that accompany the protagonists’ progress on their journey. “The scholarly travellers of Time”, protagonists of the tale, symbol of the human being in continuous search. “The Magus”, bearer of the incense and personification of Wisdom that guides the scholars on their journey. The work “The Perfume” (by Lucia Oliva) as a metaphor for the alchemical transition in progress; “The Perfect Fragrance”, the intimate reason for the ideal journey, the answer of all answers, the Perfection that travellers seek. “The Queen of Ancient Times” guardian of the treasure, symbol of the eternal value of Beauty in its purest, most poetic and philosophical dimension.
For the developments of the story, you can follow the profiles of @luciaolivaartist and @lucamoretti_official on Instagram.
Trailer of the film and promo of the Venice Biennale available by clicking on this link.
