Fernando Cobelo: Sono qui
I was invited by Fernando Cobelo to his studio in Turin to create a video that would narrate the genesis of his illustrated book “Sono qui”.
Photo, video and words: Lorenzo Morandi
“I aim to portray Italy as the truly welcoming nation it is, brimming with opportunities and warm-hearted people. I had the idea of creating a little book that would tell, not my specific story, but the stories of other foreign people who, like me, live in Italy today,” Fernando says. “So, I launched a call on social media asking foreign people to send me stories involving gestures of kindness that happened to them during their stay in Italy. I received dozens and dozens of stories, coming from everywhere. Stories that, in a way, affected these people and made them understand that the place they were in at that moment was the right one.”
In these words, Fernando Cobelo unveils the concept of his book: Sono qui, based on the stories of eleven immigrants living in Italy today. A manifesto that, in the words of the author, wants to pay homage to the country that made him the person he is today.
This project was awarded by The Society of Illustrators of New York in the Personal Projects Category and included in their annual and exhibition at The Museum of Illustration of New York in 2022. The project was also awarded with a Silver Medal by 3x3 Professional Illustration in the Book Category.
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