Anastasia and a different factory of memories
Anastasia is daughter of street performers. Between 2010 and 2015 she lived in an apartment that the owner Vincenzo, professor of physics, had decided to share with people who find themselves in a state of housing emergency. Her mother Alice, her brother Andrej and their dog Leo were among them.
The photographic project, which initially aimed to investigate an alternative way of living, a sort of cohousing during a period of great economic uncertainty and existential fragility, was then transformed into the story of the delicate and difficult transition from childhood to adolescence, lived in an atypical contest.
Anastasia is now 19 years old and she lives in Verona, northern Italy, with her boyfriend Andrea. They are both studying to became professional musicians.
• • •
Anastasia in a garden during a spring festival in Valpolicella, Verona, Italy, April 2011.
Her mother Alice, a street performer, was working as a kid party entertainer, that day, so I spent with Anastasia a couple of hours, pushing the stroller with her brother Andreij inside, who was recently born.
I remember that Anastasia was talking about her early childhood in Tuscany, where she lived in the countryside with her mother and her father. She told me she missed a bit that house.
Her parents split up when she was 9 years old, and then her father, a musician and street performer, went back to live to UK, where he came from.
Anastasia and Vincenzo in his apartment, January 2013.
When I met Anastasia, in 2010, she was 11 years old and she had just arrived in Verona, Northern Italy, with her mother Alice and their dog Leo. They didn't have any place to go, they were staying in a youth hostel, looking for a better accommodation. After a few days they were in a bar when they met Vincenzo, a professor of physics who had decided to share his big apartment with people who found themselves in a state of housing emergency. He asked them to join him for a few days - they stayed for more than 5 years.
Temporary bed n.1
Temporary bed n.2
Temporary bed n.3
Anastasia on her temporary bed in the living room, June 2010.
This is one of the first pictures I took after I met Anastasia. It happened in a bar: I was drinking a glass of wine with some friends, Vincenzo was among them. I noticed that little girl who said hello, and asked Vincenzo who she was. He told me her story and that she was living in his place. I was fascinated by her, she wasn't shy at all and she projected a peculiar strength in her voice, in her face, in her eyes. So I just asked her if I could take some pictures of her and her daily life - she accepted.
Anastasia crying on Vincenzo's bed, late September 2010
Anastasia never told me why she was sad that afternoon. When I arrived and saw her crying I felt really confused. I had nearly no experience with children, but I thought it would be great to have some ice-cream to eat on bed.
Anastasia eats ice cream with Vincenzo, late September 2010
I had to get used to her ability to suddenly change her mood, to overcome sadness, to react to her problems. I've always thought she was absolutely stronger than I was.
My pictures published on Vincenzo and Anastasia Facebook pages.
Anastasia very unhappy with homework and half an onion, November 2010
Anastasia very happy with a pea, May 2011
Anastasia with Leo playing as a vet, December 2010
Anastasia with Flavio, a flatmate, shelling peas, May 2011
Anastasia with Leo close to the river Adige, May 2011
Anastasia during a private concert at home, December 2010
Anastasia makes me listen a new song she learned, December 2010
So I became her "official photographer". I spent a lot of time in that apartment, with Anastasia, her mother, Vincenzo and his flatmate Flavio. Anastasia is a really good singer and at that time she was studying piano and guitar, so that I often had my private concerts. We used to go out with her dog Leo, to watch videos on youtube, to try to speak English (she is bilingual because of her father, while I'm quite bad), and also to go to the bar where we first met to drink pear juice with milk (I used to order a glass of wine, to be honest). It wasn't just because of the pictures, of course - it was a pleasure to spend time with her. I also found it really interesting the way they lived together. Money was always an issue - they hadn't have much - but it wasn't a problem at all among them.
Anastasia with a friend during a party in Vincenzo's place, 2011
Anastasia during a school recital, May 2011
Anastasia with a chewing gum, November 2010
Anastasia smiling, June 2011
Anastasia at Christmas time, December 2010
Alice when she was pregnant celebrating with Vincenzo (who isn't the father), November 2010
A few months after I met her, Alice realized she was pregnant. At that time she had a relationship with Bolek, a Polish street performer she was crazily in love with. He was really handsome, he spoke Spanish, he drunk a lot and was an excellent mime. I would have loved to portray him but he always refused. Later, sadly, it became impossible.
When Andreij was born, Alice and Bolek went to live with the baby in another flat, leaving Anastasia with Vincenzo and Flavio, as she had asked to do.
Anastasia at Bar Malacarne, December 2010
Anastasia with Giovanna, going back home late at night, December 2010
The kitchen, November 2011
Whoever lived there, the apartment was often a mess. They were always trying to clean and tidy up, but it was never enough.
They used to leave notes on the kitchen cabinet with their wishes, but they rarely were turned into practice.
Anastasia's bedroom when she lived alone with Vincenzo and his flatmate Flavio, May 2011
Since Alice, Bolek and their baby were gone, Anastasia was living on her own, sharing the flat with Vincenzo and Flavio. She had to cook, make her laundry, look after herself… Although she didn't always manage to handle everything, she was quite perseverant. She was only 13 years old. I was a bit worried.
• • •
Anastasia in a bamboo jungle, Valpolicella, Verona, June 2011
After Andrej's birth, everything changed too fast. In a few months Alice, Bolek and the baby left their apartment and went to live to Canary Islands. They were looking for a better lifestyle. Winter is hard, in Verona, and working as a street performer is harder. Anastasia couldn't stay alone, so she went to live with her grandparents in Friuli Region. We didn't see each other for a long time. I used to check on her Facebook page, and looked fine. I remember a picture of her and her new friend…they were wearing similar glasses. I thought it was nice, because in her school, in Verona, didn't have many friends, so she was always surrounded by adults. I was her youngest friend, and I was nearly 30.
• • •
Canary Islands, 2015
My love's death. Alice's post on Facebook about Bolek's death
In spring 2012 Bolek died in Canary Islands while he was swimming. Alice and Andrej were waiting for him on the beach.
Vincenzo called me to tell me what had happened.
After a few weeks Alice went back to Vincenzo's place, and at the end of the school year, Anastasia went back too.
Only several months later Alice was able to talk about it in public. She also published a post on her Facebook page, announcing that after a period of pain, depression and phsicotherapy was finally coming back to life.
• • •
Andreij and Vincenzo, May 2012
• • •
Andreij in my van, waiting for her mother, April 2012
A couple of time I drove Alice to her psychoanalyst, who was helping her while she was grieving. Meanwhile, I stayed with Andreij, who was about 16 months old, if I'm right. That day it was raining, so that I didn't know what to do with him. I let him play with the steering wheel, with the car lights, I sang him a song (poor boy!)… Then he just scampered in the van and waited. It didn't stop raining.
What? - I hate Bolek - CIAO - hey, May 2012
Anastasia and Bolek didn't get along very well together, sometimes. I don't know when or why Anastasia wrote that words on the wall of their shared bedroom, it was probably after a silly discussion, but when I went back to the apartment after more than a year and saw it I felt very sorry for her. I hoped she would never noticed it.
Vincenzo and Anastasia singing at my birthday party, Valpolicella, Verona, July 2012
So, finally Anastasia was back.
When I turned 30 I was going through a rough period and wasn't in the mood to celebrate. I threw a party anyway.
I felt like a stranger in my own home - I didn't know personally the 50% of my hosts - but when Anastasia dedicated a song to me it was a great moment.
Alice and Andreij at IKEA, June 2012
Step by step, things were going better. Alice is a really strong woman. She wanted to buy some new furniture for her bedroom so I drove her to IKEA. She told me that the last period on Canary Island had been really hard.
Anastasia with Vincenzo and Sergio in my van going to a buskers festival, September 2012
That summer was fine. Anastasia was "working" as a street musician with Vincenzo, sometimes. One night they met Sergio, who was living on the street, and asked him to join them in the apartment. He did it.
Anastasia diary, September 2012
That summer they hosted some tourists in the apartment, too. Anastasia showed me the notes that visitors had left on her diary. They were enthusiasts about her and her talent as a singer.
Anastasia in the kitchen with Flavio and Becky, January 2013
Winter was a bit harder. Anastasia looked anxious. Alice had met a new boyfriend and they were traveling a lot.
Anastasia in the bathroom, January 2013
She was quickly growing up. I suddenly realized she wasn't a child anymore.
• • •
Anastasia in a pink dress with a pink guitar and Sergio, the new flatmate.
Verona, January 2013
Anastasia in a pink dress, Verona, January 2013
Anastasia and the piano, Verona, January 2013
Vincenzo smoking in bed, January 2013
Andreij trying red wine, May 2012
• • •
Anastasia on the tram, Milan, early February 2013
I was thinking that Anastasia wasn't fine, that winter, so I decided to ask her to go to Milan together. My boyfriend lived there and I used to spend my weekends with him. She accepted. Francesco was happy, too. I hoped it would help.
• • •
Anastasia and Leo with a laptop, Francesco's apartment, Milan, end of February 2013
Anastasia and her friend Antonia in a studio in Milan, February 2013
Anastasia with Antonia and Leo in a pillow fight, Milan, February 2013
Anastasia with Leo, Milan, February 2013
Anastasia with Leo and Antonia, Milan, end of February 2013
Anastasia in Francesco's car, Milan, end of February 2013
Anastasia and her friend Antonia during a massage session, Milan, late February 2013
Anastasia and her friend Antonia sleeping in my van, going back to my house in Verona after a trip to Padoa, end of March 2013
Anastasia and Antonia doing their hairs in Francesco's bathroom in Milan, end of February 2013
Anastasia and Antonia doing their hairs in Francesco's bathroom in Milan, end of February 2013
Anastasia at Parco Sempione, Milan, early February 2013
Anastasia on Francesco's bed, Milan, early February 2013
• • •
Me and Anastasia, Milan, February 2013 (Polaroid)
In Milan Anastasia met some new friends. It didn't last long, but it was nice. We went to a vintage market, we rent a studio, we had lunch in different restaurants, we watched movies, we went to the Chinese Carnival, we ate pizza wearing pajamas. And Francesco took this picture of me and her together on his bed.
• • •
Anastasia and her rings, Verona, April 2014
After the 'Milan period' with us, Anastasia met her boyfriend Andrea.
Everything changed again: she was going to Milan every weekend again, but to meet him and his family.
She looked so happy… He gave her so many rings..
I was happy too.
Meanwhile I had moved to Spain, so that we were seeing each other only occasionally in Verona.
Alice was going on with her new boyfriend, Jerko, a street performer who was a friend of Bolek.
Andrej had spent some weeks in Poland with his grandparents and learned Polish. He refused to wear clothes.
Anastasia, during the week, was still living in the same apartment, with Vincenzo, Flavio, Alice, Jerko and Andrej. Sergio had gone.
• • •
Anastasia and Andreij with clarinet and trycicle, Verona, April 2014
Andreij with a little car, Verona, April 2014
Andreij sticking his tongue out, Verona, April 2014
Anastasia, Andreij and Alice on bed, Verona, April 2014
• • •
Alice with Andreij and her boyfriend Jerko, Verona, June 2014
On spring 2014 Alice and Jerko were fighting their battle against a new law in town that prohibited to feed homeless.
One year later I was having lunch with Francesco when I received some pictures on my mobile phone: Anastasia was showing us her new apartment.
She wrote me she was going to live with her boyfriend Andrea - and she was thrilled.
• • •
The new apartment #1, May 2015
The new apartment #2, May 2015
The new apartment #3, May 2015
Anastasia opening the door of her new apartment #1, Verona, August 2015
Anastasia opening the door of her new apartment #2, Verona, August 2015
Anastasia and Andrea having breakfast in their kitchen the day after Anastasia's 17° birthday, Verona, August 2015
Anastasia and Andrea in Vincenzo's place, Verona, August 2015
• • •
Anastasia in her place trying to fix her piano to play Libertango with Andrea, who was playing the clarinet
Verona, October 2015
In the entrance of her new flat Anastasia keeps the roses that Andrea offers to her
Verona, October 2015
Anastasia and Spizu the rabbit
Alice has recently adopted a rabbit, who used to live free close to the cemetery. The dog Leo seems happy to share the flat with him.
Verona, October 2015
Leo (the dog) and Spizu (the rabbit) in Alice's room in Vincenzo's flat. On the table, a fresh rose that Andrea had just bought for her.
Verona, October 2015
Anastasia and Spizu the rabbit in Alice's room
Verona, October 2015