Captivating Visions: The Dynamic Artists of Naples’ Youthful Spirit

Naples has historically been a city of disparities, a location where age-old customs clash with an unexpectedly youthful demographic. Typically, young individuals gravitate towards more bustling metropolises, yet Naples has succeeded in remaining the fifth youngest city in the EU. Showcasing the essence of Naples’ youthful spirit today, Italian photographer Maria Clara Macrì’s latest project, Holy Sciò, highlights the identities contributing to the city’s artistic community.

Macrì, originating from Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy and coming from a Neapolitan family, returned to the city in her twenties. After making a name for herself with prior works such as In Her Rooms, a profoundly personal representation of women in home environments, Holy Sciò marks her shift in focus. “This summer, I aimed to traverse Napoli as if it were New York,” she notes, describing her method as “an empathetic mapping of realms.”

The title of the project, Holy Sciò, symbolizes Naples’ dualistic essence. “Holy” points to the city’s soulful nature, where ancient legends coexist with contemporary beliefs in a delicate but beautiful balance. In contrast, “Sciò” is a Neapolitan term used to repel negative energies. Macrì characterizes her subjects as modern saints and classical sculptures, stating, “They embody both timeless attributes and strikingly avant-garde qualities.” The combination of English and Neapolitan in the title reflects how Naples integrates global influences while staunchly preserving its character. “This blend illustrates a city that’s increasingly cosmopolitan, a melting pot that places it alongside the great cultural centers of the globe,” Macrì elaborates.

Her subjects, discovered through spontaneous encounters throughout the city, capture the vibrancy that has continuously drawn her back to Naples. “What I’ve gained from interacting with them is that Napoli still provides the same gift it offered me a decade ago – the bravery to trust yourself, to engage with the present moment with irony and spirituality,” Macrì contemplates. This bravery, as conveyed by one of her subjects, Carolina, revolves around “trusting your unique, incredible intuition and disregarding negativity.”

The figures within Holy Sciò serve as evidence of Naples’ captivating allure. Although unintentional, as the project progressed, Macrì realized that a significant portion of her subjects were emerging creatives, many honing their talents in music, art, film, and fashion. For instance, a quartet of students from China who traveled to study art for a year found themselves unable to depart. “They opted to stay and build their lives here. Napoli is a city that ensnares you; it’s a magnet for your entire existence,” Macrì elucidates. Additional portraits capture the youth alongside their grandmothers and mothers.

“I aspire for individuals to be motivated to perceive Napoli as a place that embraces, supports, shelters, and guides the dreamers of this era,” she explains. “A space where they can discover a family, a community of like-minded individuals, and immerse themselves in the opportunity to attain the true richness of the city intrinsic to the art of existence.” For Macrì, Holy Sciò is merely the commencement, a project she wishes to extend into a comprehensive book. Through her perspective, Naples’ youth are not just reclaiming their city; they are reshaping it, one photograph at a time.