Audio Video Installation (2024)
Museo d’Arte Moderna Mario Rimoldi – Cortina D’Ampezzo
Galleria Lagazuoi Expo Dolomiti – Lagazuoi
Curator’s Statement
Suspended Messages in Time and Air
More than a hundred letters. The first from March 17, 1954, from Milan. The last from September 9, from Karachi. Almost six months of correspondence that mark and punctuate the time and journey of Lino Lacedelli, and the Italian expedition, toward the summit of the great mountain. These are letters written on that special, almost transparent airmail paper of that time. They are dense with words that rarely start new paragraphs, that continue even on the back. To save paper and weight, because every extra gram costs more. But also because there are many things to say and much distance to bridge.
At almost every stop on his journey, Lino writes to his family. In all, about thirty letters, addressed to his uncle Luigi, Babo Igi, to his aunt Ludovina, Tata Ina, who raised him, and to his beloved brothers and sisters. All begin with “Dearest all.” Then, each time, Lino tells of his first flight. Of the villages and the poor people he met during the approach march to the mountain. Of the porters, the good ones and the less capable ones. He describes those immense and magnificent mountains. He talks about the hardships. He also mentions the difficulties, but immediately minimizes them and reassures about his good health. He reaffirms the cohesion and friendship with his climbing companions. He worries about the weather in Cortina, about the hay cutting. About the small and large matters of daily life.
From the other side, they respond by telling about the village festival, weddings, births, deaths, mountain accidents. They let him know that the season is slow to start. About how many ask for news of him and who sends greetings. They tell him everything that happens, perhaps to feel that he is still there, close by.
On the other hand, these are letters that have a special relationship with time: they take a month or more to reach their destination. So much so that they resemble messages in bottles, suspended in time and air. So full of memories and emotions that they are destined to live long. Like the letters between Lino and Elda that speak of love, of simplicity, of who they were and of that time together that is yet to be and become. That tell of minimal things, of nuances, of intimacy barely hinted at. That tell us of the time that was and what will remain of it.
Vinicio Stefanello
Credits
Voice for Elda Dimai
Maria Grazia Mandruzzato
Voice for Lino Lacedelli
Vasco Mirandola
Content Curation
Vinicio Stefanello
Video Editing
Raffaella Rivi
Music
Sergio Marchesini
Project Management
Franco Gaspari
Letter Archive
Lacedelli Family Archive
Recording Studio
Franz Suono
Photos
Lacedelli Family Archive
Video excerpts from
Figure e pietre del Pakistan
Appunti di viaggio di un obiettivo nomade Aprile 1954 di Mario Fantin
with kind permission from:
Cineteca Storica del Museo Nazionale della Montagna – CAI Torino
Genova – ritorno degli alpinisti del K2
Cortina d’Ampezzo – immagini storiche
Cinque Torri – Dolomiti
Archivio storico Giuseppe Ghedina 1898-1986 / Manaz Productions
An idea by:
Comune di Cortina d’Ampezzo – Famiglia Lacedelli – Gruppo Scoiattoli Cortina
In partnership with:
Lagazuoi Spa – Regole d’Ampezzo – Sezione CAI di Cortina d’Ampezzo – CORTINABANCA
La Cooperativa di Cortina – Fondazione Silla Ghedina – Associazione Culturale Cortina in Croda
Gruppo Guide Alpine Cortina
Lino Elda e il K2
was created for the exhibition
LETTERE DAL K2
Lino Lacedelli, il viaggio di un uomo verso la vetta
Concept
Roberto Casanova
Vinicio Stefanello
Graphic Design – Exhibition Design
Roberto Casanova
