ATOMS (Italy, 2009-2010)

More than half the world’s heritage, as it is defined by UNESCO, is to be found in Italy. Millions of tourists travel to Italy every year for the art and the famous buildings from antiquity and the Renaissance. Italy’s interest in this tourism is no small matter – it generates around twelve percent of the country’s gross national product. Yet the government has decided to make deep cuts in provisions for the upkeep of its cultural heritage. Will Italy go from being the world’s cultural Disneyland to being a run-down fun-fair? With ATOMS Offmanphoto, comprised of Pablo Balbontin Arenas and Luca Marinelli, underscores the central role that cultural heritage plays in Italy.