The Plague Festival Returns to Milan!
Ah, Milan! The land of high fashion, exquisite cuisine, and now—wait for it—a festival dedicated to the Plague! If you’ve ever wanted to experience the joyful terror of pandemics from the comfort of a cultural event, then mark your calendar for the VII edition of the Plague Festival happening from November 6 to 10, 2024. Yes, it seems like the only thing more contagious than a virus is our love for bizarre and fascinating art events!
What’s Happening at the Festival?
Over five days of art, discussions, and imaginative insanity, the Festival will morph the inspiring headquarters of the Il Lazzaret Foundation into a playground for the curious. Think of it as a cultural buffet where you can sample everything from performances to psycho-physical practices—much healthier than a plate of spaghetti, I assure you!
The festival is not just a chance to cosplay as a 17th-century survivor; it’s a collaborative answer to the crucial question: What *is* it about the Plague that speaks to our modern souls? Art, science, and a pinch of chaos come together as artists, philosophers, and scientists ponder this deeply intriguing topic. Participation is encouraged; feel free to throw your hat—and perhaps some witty questions—into the ring!
A Diverse Lineup
This year’s program is positively teeming with talent! From the likes of Noura Tafeche, who’s leading a participatory art project called Horror Pleni, to Andrea Fiorino with his intriguingly titled installation Rimuginanti!!!, it feels like an art enthusiast’s dream come true. And yes, I do see the irony there—plague and dreams often mentioned in the same breath!
The talented Elisabetta Consonni will wow audiences with her Pluto performance that aims to explore planetary individualities while looking suspiciously at all those collectivities—because, let’s be honest, ‘we’re in this together’ is just another way of saying, ‘don’t blame me when everything goes awry.’
Then there’s Giulia Deval, leading a lab on human and non-human phonetic exploration. Yes, if you’ve ever wanted to talk to your houseplant, you now might just be able to. Meanwhile, Jesus Cisneros will guide a drawing workshop focusing on masks—because who doesn’t love a good disguise? Especially in Milan!
The Historic Lazzaretto
Located in the maze of streets between the central station and Porta Venezia—made famous by Manzoni’s The Betrothed—the Lazzaretto itself has a rather illustrious past, serving as a refuge during pandemics in the 15th century. It’s the perfect spot to explore themes of individual and collective transformation; just think of it as a group therapy session in a haunted house!
Founded in 2014, the Cultural Association aims to revive the story of a place buried deep in the annals of history. Artistic direction is helmed by Linda Ronzoni and founder Alfred Drago, who both clearly have a flair for turning the past into a raucous celebration of creativity!
Join the Fun—For Free!
Yes, you heard it right! Entry to the festivities is open to everyone with free admission. Just be sure to register on the official website. If you have inquiries that require answering, simply reach out to the friendly folks at info@illazzaretto.com.
So whether you’re an artist seeking inspiration, a philosopher looking for meaning—or just someone who wants to contemplate the absurdity of pandemics while sipping a spritz—this festival invites you to witness the extraordinary mingling of logic and imagination. After all, isn’t that the beauty of art? It might just save us… or at least entertain us while we wait for hand sanitizer to come back in stock!
Milan, 1 November 2024 – The illustrious Plague Festival is set to return to Milan with its seventh edition, running from 6 to 10 November. Over the course of five enriching days, attendees can look forward to a vibrant blend of performances, exhibitions, dialogues, workshops, and psycho-physical practices hosted at the Il Lazzaret Foundation and various locations around the city. This year’s festival is the culmination of a year-long collaborative effort involving artists, performers, curators, philosophers, and scientists, all exploring the profound theme of the Plague. Audience participation is a key feature, inviting attendees to engage by asking provocative questions and offering diverse perspectives that help shape the festival’s programming.
The Festival is not only the main public inauguration of Il Lazzaretto’s seasonal agenda but also exemplifies the essence of participatory art. It aims to traverse the delicate borders between humor and gravity, logic and creativity, scientific inquiry and emotional exploration, fostering a space for critical reflection on the processes of individual and societal transformation.
The program
The dynamic program for the 2024 edition will showcase an array of talented artists, performers, and scholars such as Nicoletta Cinotti, Jesùs Cisneros, and others, delving into the depths of the Ordinary/Monstrous concept. The creative journey is spearheaded by the talented team at Lazzaretto Foundation alongside curator Salvatore Cristofaro, featuring a mix of workshops, performances, and immersive installations.
Among the festival’s highlights is Noura Tafeche, leading a participatory art initiative titled Horror Pleni. Andrea Fiorino’s innovative installation, Rimuginanti!!!, promises a captivating experience; while Elisabetta Consonni introduces an engaging body orbit laboratory alongside the Pluto performance which contemplates individual and collective planetary identities. Architect and landscape designer Annalisa Metta will facilitate a workshop that deeply examines the evolving landscape’s nuances. Giulia Deval, a talented singer and sound artist, will conduct a unique workshop focused on the phonetic exploration of both human and non-human sounds; and Jesus Cisneros will guide a drawing workshop centered around the age-old theme of masks. Additionally, Andrea Marinelli presents a compelling musical/visual performance that explores the dynamic interplay between body, space, and technology. Nicoletta Cinotti will culminate the experience, guiding participants through mindfulness and reparenting exercises.
The festival will culminate in a liberating, archaic collective performance featuring a grand parade displaying the banners of Horror Pleni, celebrating the collaboration of all artists involved.
The initiatives of the Plague Festival are open to everyone, with free admission available through online registration on the official website. For more information, contact: info@illazzaretto.com
**Interview with Nicoletta Cinotti – Artistic Contributor to the Plague Festival**
**Editor:** Hello, Nicoletta! We’re excited to have you with us today as we gear up for the VII edition of the Plague Festival in Milan. Can you share what drew you to participate in this unique event?
**Nicoletta Cinotti:** Thank you for having me! The Plague Festival is such a fascinating confluence of art and history. The opportunity to reflect on how pandemics have shaped our society aligns perfectly with my artistic interests. It’s a chance not only to explore the darker aspects of humanity but also to highlight resilience and creativity that emerge from challenging times.
**Editor:** That sounds compelling! Can you tell us more about your role in this year’s festival?
**Nicoletta Cinotti:** I’ll be leading a series of discussions and workshops that dive into the interplay between fear and creativity in response to pandemics. It’s essential to encourage dialogues that address how collective trauma can inspire artistic expression. I want people to confront their anxieties and transform them into something beautiful and thought-provoking.
**Editor:** The theme of ‘Ordinary/Monstrous’ seems intriguing! How will you incorporate this concept into your work?
**Nicoletta Cinotti:** The concept challenges us to analyze the line between what we deem ‘ordinary’ and the ’monstrous,’ especially in the context of disease and societal reactions to it. My workshops will involve creative exercises that allow participants to express their interpretations of normalcy and monstrosity in their lives. It’s all about discovering beauty in the bizarre and shedding light on hidden fears.
**Editor:** That’s a powerful message! What are you most looking forward to during the festival?
**Nicoletta Cinotti:** I’m eager to witness the collaborative energy of artists, thinkers, and audience members. These interactive elements are what make the festival truly special. Also, I can’t wait to see how different artists interpret the theme, offering a variety of perspectives that will challenge and engage all attendees.
**Editor:** With free admission and a rich program lined up, what message would you like to convey to those considering attending?
**Nicoletta Cinotti:** Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in an experience that’s equal parts challenging and uplifting! It’s not just about watching performances; it’s about being part of a conversation that explores the human condition. Whether you’re an artist, a thinker, or just curious about the themes, there’s a place for everyone here.
**Editor:** Thank you so much, Nicoletta! We can’t wait to see what magic unfolds at the Plague Festival.
**Nicoletta Cinotti:** Thank you! I’m excited as well! Looking forward to seeing everyone there.
