Le calze della stanza delle scarpe e delle scimmie (20th Century) by Ettore GuatelliMuseo Ettore Guatelli
The art of patching up is not solely an expression of mastery, of “knowing how”, but first and foremost of the apparent need not to throw anything away, to reuse until the very limit of matter.
Lo scarpone (20th Century) by SconosciutoMuseo Ettore Guatelli
The shoe, just like the wheels, has almost become the emblem of the museum. Found near Bobbio (PC) in a dilapidated house, it has been mended, its sole replaced, and the fabric resewn with iron wire.
I pantaloni rattoppati all'estremo (20th Century) by SconosciutoMuseo Ettore Guatelli
My father’s patching jobs would thicken shirts so much that they would hold themselves together. And my aunt was such a patching expert, no hole could ever best her.
I pantaloni rattoppati all'estremo (20th Century) by SconosciutoMuseo Ettore Guatelli
We didn’t even always have trousers, as the poor Sartoretto (seamster) could not come each time to make us some. Mother would wrap us in a rag made of flannel, spun and woven by herself. We did not wear undergarments and our thighs would chafe tremendously. (Ettore Guatelli)
These items are witnesses to the general conditions, common and at the same time natural, even though occasionally brought to their extremes. (Ettore Guatelli)
Le calze della stanza delle scarpe e delle scimmie (20th Century) by SconosciutoMuseo Ettore Guatelli
In the Shoe Room, the socks reveal years of patching. Nothing was ever thrown away!
La paletta per la farina (20th Century) by SconosciutoMuseo Ettore Guatelli
The memories of a multitude of uses justify the existence of those rusted tin sheets or trimmings, kept by those who knew how or had to make do. But to list them all would not only be boring, but also impossible. (Ettore Guatelli)
Una pentola di coccio salvata dalla rottura da un’intelaiatura di fil di ferro (20th Century) by SconosciutoMuseo Ettore Guatelli
There were travelers who, passing by their city quarters, would shout and offer to do “sewing” jobs, fixing up earthenware. (Ettore Guatelli)
Text by Mario Turci.
English translation by Anna Giulia Compagnoni.
We would like to thank Patrick Leech and Anna Giulia Compagnoni (University of Bologna), Jessica Anelli, Mauro Davoli, Monica Citti.
