The project produced in collaboration with Sanlorenzo Foundation, features around a hundred images captured by Sicilian photographer, Roselena Ramistella, during her long journey through the islands of Pantelleria, Linosa and Capri
The "black pearl of the Mediterranean”, Pantelleria, with its volcanic cliffs, fierce winds and sweet Zibibbo wine, is a favorite among those who love nature, tranquility and diving. The tiny island of Linosa, situated halfway between Sicily and Tunisia, is renowned for its three ancient volcanoes, secluded black-sand beaches and a nature reserve that serves as a habitat for sea turtles and dolphins. As for Capri, famous for its rich history and picturesque landscapes, it has long established itself as an exclusive, intimate retreat, drawing artists, writers and film stars from all over the world.
Off the Map explores everyday lives of the people who live permanently on the islands that are captivating in their postcard-perfect beauty during the warmer months, but fade into the background once the tourist rush subsides in autumn and winter.
Roselena Ramistella’s thoughtful and deeply empathetic perspective, blending portraiture, landscape and documentary photography, reveals the distinct character and vulnerability of island life. To further evoke emotion in the viewer, the visual imagery is accompanied by the texts written by Chiara Barzini, featured in a special almanac.
The exhibition is a fine illustration of the work carried out by its organizer, Sanlorenzo Foundation. Established in 2021 by the Perotti family (owners of the Sanlorenzo shipyard), this charitable foundation has a mission of supporting and developing Italy’s smaller islands and their isolated communities. The foundation funds programs aimed at preventing depopulation, preserving cultural heritage and bridging the divide between the islands and the mainland. Through educational, medical and community-focused initiatives, Sanlorenzo Foundation creates new opportunities for the younger generation and helps sustain the social fabric of communities that are often at risk of marginalization.
“The sea connects Sanlorenzo to places and communities toward which we feel a concrete sense of responsibility. Through Roselena Ramistella’s photographs, we celebrate the resilience of the inhabitants of Italy’s islands and bring their experiences to the attention of our international community, which often appreciates their beauty during the summer without necessarily being aware of the economic and environmental challenges that arise outside the tourist season,” said Massimo Perotti, Executive Chairman of Sanlorenzo at the opening of the exhibition. “The Sanlorenzo Foundation supports these communities through initiatives ranging from education to health and social development. Off the Map combines these commitments with our involvement in the art world, using a high-profile cultural platform to promote greater awareness and engagement.”
“Roselena Ramistella doesn’t photograph islands. She photographs the point where geography becomes destiny. Linosa, Pantelleria, and Capri represent three different ways of living with distance. Here, the sea is not merely a backdrop but a defining force: it connects and separates, protects and isolates. Beyond the postcard image, these photographs reveal communities caught between the desire to stay and the possibility of leaving, between a sense of belonging and the search for a future. Off the Map is not an atlas of remote places, but a portrait of lives that no conventional map can contain. In Venice, a city of islands, this exhibition reminds us that being off the map does not mean being out of the world”, said Cristiano Seganfreddo, curator of the exhibition.
The exhibition marks the culmination of Casa Sanlorenzo’s 2026 cultural program, bringing to a close a year in which Sanlorenzo celebrates ten years of patronage and engagement in the art world.
Off the Map will be open to the public in Venice until 10 January 2027.
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