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video intervention 071 Queen of Europe - Production year: 2002/2004.

Queen of Europe Installation: with n° 5 screen
-n°5 videoprojectors / flat monitors LCD , n°5 DVD autorepeat,
- Every video (DVD) During 32' everyone - Every video have 1 sound , The global sound is the total effect (global audio effect).

Queen of Europe film Installation

From an idea on the association and peaceful co-existence of the peoples of Europe; an anthem to the Europe which is emerging from the charter of the European citizens' rights in the new European Constitution. An elderly lady roams freely in the park of a castle; inner glances and panoramic recollections..; A symbolic journey amidst the memories and dreams of a sovereign, an ironic invitation, a plea, or a fantastical reminder of when people lived, or will live, united in a single "realm", respecting the ethnic, religious, cultural and sexual differences of individuals ... A female soprano voice sings, binding various scenes. The past and the future are mixed together; reality and political utopia overlap ... The main location is the park of Miramare Castle near Trieste, visited by the elderly lady, the former Queen. It consists of a fanciful and unreal journey between the past and the future; Or is it a marvellous new Europe? The King slowly observes.... The Young Queen appears on the site of the greenhouse of the Botanic Gardens in Belfast. Maybe Europe has fresh hope.

Press release first screening:
Exhibition title: Queen of Europe. Artist: Paolo Ravalico Scerri (Italy). Curator: Vittorio Urbani .Locations: 1) Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin. 2) The Exhibition Space, School of Art and Design, University of Ulster, York Street, Belfast
Catalogue: available at the exibition spaces , with the contribute of Gruppo 78 - Trieste.
Support: Italian Cultural Institute, Dublin; Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh; Nuova Icona, Venice; Gallery of Photography, Dublin; University of Ulster, Belfast information: Vittorio Urbani, tel/fax 0039 041 5210101, nuovaicona@iol.it, www.nuovaicona.org Tanya Kiang, tel 00353-1 6714654, gallery@irish-photography.com www.irish-photography.com The project was born 2 years ago. Shot inside the park of Miramare Castle in Trieste, Italy, it was concluded following a residency of the artist in the Ulster University at Belfast and a brief stay in Dublin in the Summer of 2003. The residency is a collaborative project between the University of Ulster and Nuova Icona (Venice). "Queen of Europe" is a video installation which is presented - with other works by the artist - in April 2004 in Dublin, Ireland and in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The exhibition stems from an idea about the association and peaceful co-existence of the peoples of Europe. It was born in the town of Trieste, which is the confluence of diverse ethnic and religious groups. The town has a history of love /hate clashes overcome. "The Queen of Europe: a symbolic journey amidst the memories and dreams of a sovereign, an ironic invitation, an anthem to the Europe which is emerging from the charter of the European citizens' rights in the new European Constitution; a plea, or a fantastical reminder, of when the people lived or will live united in a single "realm" respecting the ethnic, religious, cultural and sexual differences of individuals ... an elderly lady roams freely in the park of a castle. Inner glances and panoramic recollections ... a female voice sings (Laura Antonaz, soprano - the Queen) binds various scenes. Alastair MacLennan (artist from Belfast - the King) plays the part of the King and slowly observes. The chief character (the Queen Mother) is Maria Scerri, grandmother of the artist Paolo Ravalico Scerri. The past and the future are mixed together. Reality and political Utopia overlap ... The main location is the park of the Miramare Castle near Trieste, visited by the elderly lady - or the former queen. It consists of a journey between the past and the future of a fanciful or unreal or maybe a marvellous new Europe? Elena Ravalico (the artist's niece - the Young Queen) appears on the site of the greenhouse of the Botanic Gardens in Belfast. Maybe Europe has fresh hope." (Paolo Ravalico Scerri) The show, with small differences, will open simultaneously in Dublin and Belfast. The project is curated by Vittorio Urbani and has been possible by the generous collaboration of the Italian Cultural Institute, Dublin; the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh; Nuova Icona, Venice; and the University of Ulster, Belfast. A catalogue has been printed for the occasion with the contribute of Gruppo 78, Trieste and the above mentioned bodies.

Paolo Ravalico Scerri : Queen of Europe "Paolo Ravalico Scerri 's Queen of Europe is a timely if fractured reflection on the nature of Europe.
Coming at the time of the accession of new states of the EU, it deals with issues of nationhood, coexistence, power and history. This five -screen installation features the artist's grandmother roaming in the grounds of a castle, while a soprano sings the song that gives the show its title. In The King (musing), above, a former king recalls his reign, while a fleeting glimpse of another elaborate building, the greenhouse of the Botanic Garden in Belfast, symbolises new life and hope for the future. The song and images unite themes of loss and optimism, while suggesting the importance of synthesis for peaceful coexistence. Less successfull is the show's retrospective element, featuring earlier works by the artist. Their focus on particular scenarios is at odds with the wide-ranging nature of the central piece. Gallery of Photography , Dublin " Catherine Leen The Sunday Times Culture magazine (colour) 2nd May 2004