MANO A BORSA

Mano a Borsa examines the expressive power of gesture as a universal form of communication. Borrowing from the iconic Italian hand gesture—one capable of conveying frustration, curiosity, disbelief, affection, or humor depending on context—the work explores how meaning can exist beyond spoken language. A single movement becomes fluid, carrying multiple interpretations while remaining immediately recognizable. Constructed from layered reclaimed leather and suede, the work emphasizes the tactile qualities of the materials, allowing variations in grain, texture, and tone to function as both surface and subject. Through stitching and assembly, fragments originally intended for footwear design are transformed into a new visual language, where material and gesture become inseparable. Rather than depicting a specific narrative, Mano a Borsa invites viewers to consider how gestures transcend cultural boundaries. The hand becomes a vessel for shared human experience, revealing the ways emotion, identity, and connection are communicated through the body long before words are spoken.