by InTrieste
A new photography exhibition and a film screening are set to highlight the intersection of art, fashion, and personal history at Trieste’s Magazzino 26. The exhibition, Living as Memory, by internationally renowned photographer and filmmaker Rossano B. Maniscalchi, will open on March 1, 2025, and run through May 4. It will be preceded by the regional premiere of Maniscalchi’s short film Nexus. Textile Entrepreneur Lorenza Desiata on February 28.
Trieste’s Culture and Tourism Councillor Giorgio Rossi introduced the event at a press conference on February 25, alongside Maniscalchi and textile entrepreneur and fashion consultant Lorenza Desiata, who is the subject of Nexus. The film, which explores Desiata’s dual identity as a business leader and creative force in the fashion world, will embark on an international festival circuit, with screenings planned in cities from Los Angeles to Berlin.
“Rossano came to me looking for a location to shoot his documentary, and I provided the necessary support to bring Nexus to life,” Rossi said. “From there, we discovered his remarkable photography career, which led to this exhibition.”
The Living as Memory exhibit features 104 photographs spanning portraiture, fashion, and fine art. Among the notable figures captured by Maniscalchi’s lens are writers Paul Auster, Don DeLillo, and Margaret Atwood, filmmaker Wim Wenders, artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, and Nobel laureates Rita Levi-Montalcini and Dario Fo. The collection reflects his ability to blend formal composition with spontaneous emotional depth, a skill honed through collaborations with brands such as Levi’s and Rolex.
The exhibition’s title, Living as Memory, was chosen by the late Michael March, a poet and founder of the Prague Writers’ Festival, to whom the show is dedicated. The collection traces Maniscalchi’s evolution as an artist, from analog photography to the digital era, culminating in his transition to filmmaking. His work in cinema has garnered accolades, including Best Film at the Global Short Film Awards in Cannes for The Key to Heaven (2022) and Beyond (2023).
“Nexus* is more than a fashion documentary—it is a poetic reflection on Desiata’s journey, blending her passion for design with the complexities of personal and professional life,” Maniscalchi said. The film, shot in Trieste and the coastal town of Grado, captures the city’s atmospheric charm while celebrating Desiata’s connection to her roots.
Following the premiere in Trieste, Nexus will tour film festivals worldwide, having already secured 15 awards. The screening on February 28 will be accompanied by a discussion featuring Maniscalchi, Desiata, and film critic Armando Lostaglio.
The exhibition and film together promise a compelling dialogue on memory, identity, and artistic expression, reinforcing Trieste’s growing status as a cultural hub. Admission to Living as Memory is free, and additional information is available at www.triestecultura.it.
