Eastern Influences

Molise certainly lives and exists, in so many ways, through music, art and history, it is certainly on the map.
It is just a question of bringing people here, and there are so many ways we can do it.

Here is just one of them..................
In August this year, a new and innovative band called INDRA here in Molise launched their first album FOSSILI.

The album is an experimental collection of their music, influenced greatly by their interest in world music and their abilities to play a range of instruments with such ease.

They are a group of young men passionate about music, who have been experimenting with ethnic and electronic music.

Only three in number they collaborate tirelessly together to produce a unique mix of African rhythms haunting Indian melodies and electronic rifts creating a unique sound.

Antonio Armanetti their percussionist is an exceptional musician, swapping constantly from one instrument to another bringing an incredible range of sounds which provide the foundations for their music



Gianluca Vergalito plays guitar and sitar with incredible virtuosity, drawing one into every note he plucks.
Together with Mattia Strazzullo on keyboards .....their music resonates with one's soul.The venue they choose for their launch was a small bar called LA BAITA just outside the city of Campobasso, in a relaxing, and pleasant setting under the trees.

The band already seem to have a large following as it was packed, and the air full of expectation as they began to play

They began with a haunting melody to which Laura Espostito began to dance. Her graceful movements entranced the audience as she twisted, turned and spun tirelessly in front of them.

With a long swathe of fabric like a white mist she took us all on her journey through the music many miles away from the city of Campobasso to African plains, and Indian Peaks.

The audience of all ages all seemed to enjoy the music, and all sat spellbound for the entire concert.

There is nothing as beautiful, or as fulfilling as a listener to become engulfed in music, to forget everything just for a moment.


Hearing music played live really does reach the soul.
There are musicians on your doorstep. playing in your local village, at your local bar.
GET OUT THERE to SEE THEM.

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Today the world of music is flooded with the music of every genre, via sites like Spotify and YOU TUBE can listen to music from across the globe giving you the opportunity to listen to anything you want.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FhI1CTkTbfVk&h=ATPVE4IGrwCFQCuEvYhGfwyLTONx7itxNfJOcbV-1QCJ_WFkBMwotArngSrPCWicAMP64vtZ_nTTkZsDFbwsy8ftHb1-0d0OpQEkm5VHr6n-2rhSoOUSZ0IosuA&s=1

Music needs to be SHARED and it was a privilege to hear INDRA in Campobasso.


Well done INDRA...
For more information on the band you can contact them via their FACEBOOK page https://www.facebook.com/INDRA-102440750373507/

Viva Campobasso Viva Molise

What do you think of GRAFFITI?????????????????????????

I am a great fan of art in all its forms, which includes GRAFFITI and STREET  ART

WHAT IS  the definition of GRAFFITI?

Graffiti (plural of graffito: "a graffito", is writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched or painted illicitly on a wall or other surface.

If it is legal by definition then it is not technically GRAFFITI but STREET ART.

These amazing pieces of street art bedecks the walls of the bus station in Campobasso, the largest city in the Molise region.

We are told as young children only to draw on paper, and not to scribble on the walls or furniture. 

I agree with Picasso, sadly as we grow up we become more inhibited and less able to express ourselves freely. 

In school, we are taught to stay inside the lines of a drawing when we are colouring it in. Our parents and teachers question us continuously about the pictures we paint. If we draw a house they remind us to add doors and windows. If we colour the sky yellow they tell us it should be blue. But why?
Because that is just the way it is. The sun is yellow, the sky is blue and grass is green.

Art is EXPRESSION, and in GRAFFITI and other forms of STREET ART  the artist is free to express himself without boundaries.

Campobasso, the regional capital of Molise has allowed the GRAFFITI artists to paint with a great deal of freedom around the city.

Some people are not terribly keen on the GRAFFITI emblazoned across buildings throughout the city here in Molise, or indeed anywhere.

Ban it, legalise it, put it behind glass ... no matter what  councils do, graffiti remains the scapegoat for all manner of urban ills, from burglary on one extreme to gentrification on the other. But it may have another effect on cities entirely

In villages, towns and cities across the world graffiti is used to express frustration, make political statements and to communicate openly.

In London more than a billion pounds sterling is spent every year cleaning GRAFFITI off walls and buildings throughout the city.
http://www.penningtons.co.uk/news-publications/latest-news/graffiti-clean-up-cost-or-windfall/

In my opinion this money would be better spent on ART and culture.

Here in EUROPE we live in a democracy, so we have FREEDOM of SPEECH and FREEDOM of EXPRESSION, don't we ?


Should there be boundaries or should we allow people the opportunity to express themselves freely and openly with no boundaries or rules?

Is part of the appeal of painting GRAFFITI on walls merely an opportunity to make a stand against the establishment.

Perhaps,  that is to some degree it's appeal.


There are many buildings which would benefit hugely from being emblazoned with images like these..

Campobasso

Civitacampomarino, a village I have written about before is already fairly well known for its murals and they hold a street art festival there every year.

Retracing our steps to Campobasso, just wandering around the city you will find street art, and graffiti in disused alleyways, empty shops, apartment buildings, and walls.

Some are political statements, slogans and tags, others brighter more colourful and intricate pictures.
Sadly many buildings here in Campobasso and in fact throughout the whole of Molise have fallen into disrepair.

Even many of the buildings just below the historical Monforte, the fortress which sits majestically on the hill overlooking the city, have been adorned with colourful fairly explicit Graffiti.

In the park which runs up the side of the hill to the fort, there are the stations of  the cross set out
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ViVa CAMPOBASSO

ViVa MOLISE

Black and White

Awal is a remarkable young man, if only because like so many young men living here in Molise now he has been through so much, and yet is able to remain  SO positive.
He and guys like him are an inspiration to us all.


Why? 
Because he is looking forward to carving a new future for himself here in Molise.


How? 
Awal is a talented artist, here he has an opportunity here to put his obvious talents to good use.


He grew up on a farm producing Cocoa and Ginger, but that is a life he was forced to leave behind.
As due to political turmoil he and his family faced in the region he was forced to flee, via Togo, the Niger then to Libya and finally onto to Italy.


Of course he is one of many young men, now facing an uncertain future here, but like so many young men like him  he is determined to do what ever it takes make a new life.

Awal is joining me to create a new group here called BLACK AND WHITE MOLISE.

We hope to bring ART to you, and to bring you to ART, both here in the Molise region and beyond.
For more information on what we do take a look at our website and get in touch with us.


Awal has already participated in a number of projects in Molise and is being invited to work on more.


He displays an incredible talent, which enables him to create images clarity and frank openness.
Having faced the hardships of extreme poverty and violence his paintings bring these topics we all like to ignore to the forefront. 
In a cacophony of vibrant colour his draws us closer to his art and even into his heart

If his art has to be categorised it would fall into POST MODERNISM, but it does not need a label. 

We can appreciate it for what it clearly is which is a window into his soul


Make up your mind and share your comments with us.

 www.blackandwhitemolise.com