Group photography exhibition, closing event, screening, and discussion
October 10, 2026
Casa delle Donne Milano – Via Marsala 10
“Da vicino nessuno è normale” (Up close, no one is normal) is the title of the group photography exhibition hosted at Casa delle Donne Milano from October 5 to 10, 2026. Born from the intersection of photography, lived experience, and reflection, the project uses the photographic lens to explore the theme of intellectual disability—examining how it is portrayed and, above all, highlighting the need to move beyond stereotypical and oversimplified representations.
The exhibition is promoted by DivergenteMente Percorsi e Progetti ETS and curated by Patrizia Riviera. It brings together the work of several photographers who, at different times and in various contexts, have addressed the subject of intellectual disability through their photographic practice. Nine distinct artistic voices and journeys offer personal perspectives through their images, inviting the audience to focus on the individuals, relationships, and stories that often remain on the margins of mainstream representation.
Works by Antonella Bozzini, Marianna Cappelli, Loredana Celano, Margherita Dametti, Fulvia Farassino, Paola Rizzi, Patrizia Riviera, Livia Sismondi, and Elisa Sprocatti will be on display.
The title itself—“Up close, no one is normal”—prompts reflection on the concept of normality and the distance that often separates the observer from the observed. Drawing closer means shifting one’s perspective, challenging established categories, and making room for the complexity of individuals and their experiences. In this sense, photography becomes not merely a record, but an opportunity for encounter and dialogue. To conclude the exhibition, a closing event—featuring a screening and a discussion focused on care and mental health—will be held on Saturday, October 10 at 6:30 PM, coinciding with World Mental Health Day.
Participants in the discussion will include Giulia Benetti, Cultural Manager of the Emilia Bosis Foundation; Elisa Ghianda, President of Psiche Lombardia; Marilena Pisciella, psychotherapist and photographer; and Patrizia Riviera, photographer and exhibition curator. The discussion will be moderated by Sonia Pampuri, President and legal representative of DivergenteMente Percorsi e Progetti ETS and the project’s initiator.
The exhibition aims to create a space where photography and dialogue can interact, centering on a simple yet profound question: how does our perception change when we choose to truly get closer?
This initiative is part of the activities of DivergenteMente Percorsi & Progetti ETS, an organization dedicated to promoting pathways and projects that foster understanding and appreciation of neurodivergence and the diverse experiences associated with disability.
UP CLOSE, NO ONE IS NORMAL
Divergentemente ETS
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Antonella Bozzini, disability, divergentemente, Elisa Sprocatti, photography, Fulvia Farassino, homepage
