Marina Abramović poses for the Trieste Barcolana poster. And controversy erupts, because of the message

It now seems impossible to address the topic of migrants, even with all-too-posed and universal messages, without stirring up controversy. So it happens that in Trieste one of the most important artists of the contemporary scene, Marina Abramović, finds herself posing for the poster of the Barcolana, the very famous regatta that takes place every year in October: it is a historic sailing regatta, the most crowded in the Mediterranean, and this year it will take place from October 5 to 14, 2018 (the 2018 edition is Barcolana number 50). Already in the past, distinguished figures from the art world had signed the manifesto: they include Michelangelo Pistoletto, Gillo Dorfles and Maurizio Galimberti, among others.

In this year’s manifesto, one can see Marina Abramović, standing, waving a large white flag with red lettering We ’re all in the same boat (“We are all in the same boat”). One can read in it a reference to migrants and the message of universal brotherhood that pushes on our obligations to welcome them, but that is not all: in fact, it ranges from the more generic theme of solidarity to that of teamwork (suitable, moreover, for a sporting context), but the message can also be read with a more extended value, which sees us all as inhabitants of a single planet and therefore united in sharing its fate. In fact, Andrea Illy, patron of the famous coffee company Illy (partner of the event and commissioner of the poster), oriented the interpretation of the writing in this sense: “It is a message that speaks of sustainability, it indicates that we have a common destiny, that we must take care of the earth and that we can only achieve happiness through altruism. Contemporary society forces us to play as a team. There is no longer room for individualism, which is very typical of the Italian people.”

Of course, it may not be a message that stands out for originality. Yet despite what all in all appears to be a universal message, controversy has flared up in the city. Paolo Polidori of the Northern League, deputy mayor of Trieste (which is led by a center-right junta) entrusted his considerations to a post on Facebook: “Unacceptable, in very bad taste, immoral that political propaganda should be done with an event, the Barcolana, that belongs to the whole city! I am moving to have the convention signed with the City of Trieste handed over to me. Should there be any room for maneuver to come to my senses from this boorish political instrumentalization, well, as councillor for major events, let it be known that I will use it to the full! And don’t panegyrize me about official explanations, people are not fools!” Along the same lines are her supporters, and between those who launch improbable attempts to boycott Illy and those who confess that they do not know who Marina Abramović is, the refrain always appears to be the same: the poster was read as a political instrumentalization of the event.

However, that the message does not have partisan connotations (and that, far from it, it can be read in the way that everyone deems most suitable) Mitja Gialuz, president of the Sailing Society of Barcola and Grignano, organizer of the event, had already specified: “We were fascinated by this message that is perfectly associated with our regatta: two thousand boats experience the unique emotion of being on the same starting line and live a unique experience of sharing. Once again, thanks to illy, who was able to add content and elevate our regatta by using art as the interpreter of the event. Everyone will give their own reading, will see their own content in the performance that Marina Abramović has created for Barcolana: we want to highlight its purest value, the one that enhances the spirit of our seafaring people, respectful of the environment, supportive and ready for action.”

Marina Abramović poses for the Trieste Barcolana poster. And controversy erupts, because of the message

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