Lisa Venticinque

Antonella Turin 2019

On a hot summer evening in July 2019, I encountered a woman at a Turin sidewalk cafe. Upon meeting Antonella, an older single woman who was unapologetically independent and original, I was both intrigued and a bit frightened. I thought she'd never agree to let me photograph her-- but she did, and she welcomed me into her life. This is what I learned.

My name is Antonella Gilpi. I was born in Turin in 1957 and I live in the city center on Via Po.

People say I’m a helpful, good, and generous person… I’d like to be remembered that way. But not for a long time. I made a pact with the devil to live until I’m 300 years old, so I’m under the illusion of continuing on a lot longer.

I WAS BORN ON A SUNDAY AFTER A BIG PLATE OF GNOCCHI, MY MOTHER TOLD ME. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT HAD AN EFFECT.

The fact that I love being a journalist has saved me from disgrace, because I always had a goal to think about, a goal I am still trying to reach today.

I GOT MARRIED ON JUNE 21ST. I ASKED HIM TO MARRY ME WITHIN 2 WEEKS, OTHERWISE I WOULD’VE CHANGED MY MIND. THE NEXT JUNE 21ST, MY HUSBAND DIED. IT’S A DAY THAT I FORGET, I TRY TO FORGET, EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

Wedding Day, 1996

"ACCORDING TO MY FRIENDS I AM SO INDEPENDENT THAT I SCARE MEN AWAY. Now I am 62, and it is difficult to find a man that suits you, because each of us has our own habits ... I have lived alone for so long now and I have my own ways.

My life now is peaceful: I go to work, come back home, run my errands... but I don’t go dancing anymore. I HAVE FEW OCCASIONS TO MEET PEOPLE, EXCEPT AT THE CAFE OR DURING PRESS CONFERENCES.

I AM ALONE, I DO NOT SUFFER FROM LONELINESS. I LIKE BEING ALONE, BUT I ALSO LIKE TALKING TO PEOPLE, HAVING FRIENDS.

Thank you to my generous subject and Torinese muse, Antonella Gilpi. It has been an honor to get to know you. Thank you for letting me into your world.

Grazie al mio soggetto generoso e alla mia musa torinese, Antonella Gilpi. È stato un onore conoscerti. Grazie per avermi permesso di entrare nel tuo mondo.

-Lisa Venticinque, 2019

THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. THIS WORK IS PART OF A LARGER PROJECT IN WHICH I EXPLORE THE EXPERIENCES & PERSPECTIVES OF WOMEN WHO DO NOT LIVE WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND WIFE.

PLEASE SEND ME A NOTE TO TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS PIECE: LISA@LISA25.COM

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Lisa Venticinque

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Antonella Turin 2019

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