The platform for the artworks on view in this exhibition are a result of two Interdisciplinary, International Courses in Design and Art, “Hybrid-ism & Multi-Ethnicity” and “Multiculturalism and Identity” from the Diversity Studies, Department, Humanities and Sciences at the California College of the Arts, San Francisco, which was also an exchange with the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Architecture Department, Italy. “Hybrid-ism & Multi-Ethnicity” examines the diverse cultural landscape within San Francisco and Reggio Calabria in southern Italy which continues to evolve; each new wave of immigration or refugees over generations both transform and are transformed through existing world communities creating hybrids of cultural identity or “Hybrid-ism.”

In “Multiculturalism and Identity,” this interdisciplinary and culturally diverse group of artists/designers have investigated current and historical perceptions concerning culture and identity in everyday life in San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods and in small villages called Bova, with ancient Greek roots in the Calabria region, also in Southern Italy. 

The individual views presented are focused on underrepresented communities and their complex relationship with regard to artistic and cultural production. Each body of work represents a unique perception according to each individual’s experience, vision and cultural identity. Areas and issues under examination include the representation of space both physical and psychological in every conceivable site within our personal and physical boundaries. Race, history, memory, tradition, religion, gender, age, and identity, are also recurrent concerns that permeate our daily lives and contribute to our understanding of who we are as a culture. 

This exhibition will travel to UniRC in Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Curated at CCA by Mariella Poli. Curated at UniRC by Marina Tornatora.

Featured Artists:

California College of the Arts, Humanities + Sciences, Diversity Studies (CCA):

Zara Avoyan, Moore, Mingda Bi, Chengxiang Chu, Jack Fanburg, Marcus, Haolin Fei, Momo, Yumeng Gao, Chauncy, Liuchengxi Liu, Maya Perez, Takira Turrentine, Tina, Qiaoyi Wu, Chrystal, Xiaoyi Yang, Scarlett Zhang, Chloe, Yitong Zhao 

Peter, Xuezhi Wu, Joanne, Chiang-An Huang, Jocelyn Khosla, Jocelyn Khosla, Madison Collins, Tiffany Kim, Alice, Yufan Niu, Paloma Diaz, Aaron Au, Aosheng Ran, Nicole, Jiadai Lyu, Shanti Moreano Freire, Valeriya Velyka, Maro Han, Morgan Guerra.

University of Reggio Calabria, Department of Architecture (UniRC):

Giulia Belcastro, Greta Bisogni, Valentina Cordi, Nives Elisabetta Culia, Antonella Cuccurullo, Maria Carmela De Angelis, Federica Fazio, Ilaria Fiumara, Giovanna Maria Giustra, Alessandro Ielo, Mantraga Pina, Matteo Nicchia, Roberta Raso, Vanessa Rizzo, Silvia Vitale, Stefano Vitale

Ilaria Aprigliano, Giacomo D’amico, Miriam Ferrara, Veronica Forestieri, Demetrio Iero, Anthony Lopez, Matteo Milano, Antonella Pellicano, Lucia Pellicano’, Alessandro Perri, Francesca Pisilli, Diego Sottilotta, MartinaSurfaro, Giuseppina verducci, Federica Vitaliti