THE SOLO EXHIBITION

“Whatever a woman wanted to do in her life, there seemed to be a high price to pay, unless she limited herself to aiming low.” Thanks to the English writer Jojo Moyes for so perfectly summarizing what I also think but struggle to put into words, also because of my dyslexia. Many years ago, I decided to pay that price and aim high.

It was worth it. I hit where I hit. Sometimes in the center; other times on the margins. The outcome of the efforts remained in the creations. Some turned out better than others. Many are still in the drawers, kept safe, a bit like my memories. They will be on display at the GALLERIA ALLA LOGGIA in UDINE from October 15th to November 8th, when I will hold my solo exhibition after 8 years since the last one.

The first was in 1996 in Aleppo, Syria. Then Cuernavaca in Mexico, Colombo in Sri Lanka... It was another world, in some ways very different from today. To see new things, you had to physically move, go elsewhere. That elsewhere which today, too often, is confused with the screen of a smartphone.

In Udine there will also be large creations, with their own history and adventure. Some will be for sale even though parting with them affects me in a certain way. The exhibition will, of course, be open to the public free of charge. I will be there, as much as possible.

Many feelings pervade me as I write this article but not nostalgia. Beautiful memories of unforgettable and epic moments, but I wouldn't go back. Life is beautiful even now, despite its difficulties and its pixels of s*** that can never replace the live sensory experience, even if they give the feeling of being powerful and on top.

Then, even I have never reached so high, but maybe my destiny was another. That of going far. Considering that age is beginning to become venerable, it seems I am succeeding. And, then, if we want to talk about success, it's better to listen to Heraclitus when he reminds us that "The greatest success is not achieved on the stage of the world but in the deepest recesses of one's own heart."

Eliana Spinelli