The Blue Green Land
by Marco Barbieri
portfolio shortlisted call 'URBANAUTICA INSTITUTE AWARDS 2021', 2021
Category: Anthropology and Territories
The Varese tourism agency defines its territory as "the blue green land", where it is possible "to find out the blue-green beauty of our land full of lakes close to valleys, hills, wonderful villages among green areas and full of history ".
But the surroundings of Lake Varese look rather like a crumpled postcard from the 90s.
Impressive buildings now in disuse, a legacy of the rich industrial past, alternate with new real estate initiatives, small family businesses and large empty spaces.
A small pool of viscous water, in which swimming is not allowed, is the center of a cultural landscape steeped in the rituals of the northern Italian middle class.
Sunday mass and country fairs, Saturday morning shopping at the mall and walkabout in the park, the car parked in front of the house, wedding on panorama terrace, newspapers on the bar table, and a bike ride.
The province of Varese is the commonplace family.
Like a kind father dedicated to work and a mother who is moved every time you leave but when you come back asks you only 'what can I prepare you for lunch?'.