The
historic exhibition, “Metropole/Colony: Africa and Italy”, is filled with
paintings photographs, drawings, and artifacts made by Italians, expressing
their support and almost obsession for the Italian government and their
decisions. One can argue that these pieces were only made upon request by the
government, but it is apparent that these artifacts were produced by clear
choice.
The
steel wedding band exemplifies the passion Italians held for their country.
Italy was in the new hands of the military driven Fascist government so it was
no longer the Italy that the population always knew. Nevertheless, Italians
still held a strong bond to their country and felt the need to express this
attachment. Italians had the option to prove their devotion to their country by
donating their gold wedding bands to their government. The Italian government
would then exchange the gold band with a steel band. The steel representation
of Italian pride was sought over the sentimental value held by a gold wedding
ring.
Again
with the “Book and case” we see an act of Italian pride, except here it is across
the globe in New York. The book was printed in 1937 in New York and an
Italian-American produced the intricate wooden case for the book.
The
“Postcards” directly next to the “Book and case” are another example of Italian
support away from its geographical location. The postcards were produced by an
Italian-Argentine in Argentina. They are all formatted in the same way, black
and white drawings of moments in Italy during the 1930s. The bounds of these
moments are drawn within Fascist shapes and symbols. Each postcard is also
tagged at the bottom of the card with a quote from Mussolini and the colors of
the Italian flag.
Having cultural pride
comes naturally out of love for the country of one’s belonging and in some
instances, ignorance. This exhibition showed the strong support of Italy, by
Italians, during the Fascist movement. It can be argued that the population was
forced to follow their government’s decisions during the Fascist era, however
this pride proved to be carried out of the country as well. Italians in the
United States and South America continued to display their devotion to the Italian
government and military force although they were no longer subjected to Fascist
rule.
2 comments:
I appreciated the questioning of whether the Fascists or Italian people as a whole are to blame for invasion and imperialism, or at least support the cause. It demonstrates how a group can blindly unite as one under something as emotional as patriotism. As for the question of pride or ignorance, I feel this could have been further explored. However this is a recurring phenomenon with much precedent, and that fact makes the study worth while.
This sense of pride for one's country is further exemplified by the fact that even the citizens flying to the colonies were able to imagine thmselves as heroes flying over their new conquered land on "civilian versions of military craft." having said that, the idea of of patriotism and pride does not come from ignorance, rather tha being blinded by promisses and emotions that government puts in people's minds. the government's prpaganda does not necessarily triggor our minds, but our emotions.
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