Ethical & Critical Approach
Born in Honduras in 1984 to an Italian father and a Mesoamerican mother, Ilaria Ghidinelli (they/she) embodies a unique confluence of worlds – the coloniser and the colonised. This dual heritage has fostered a profound, multifocal vision from an early age, allowing them to perceive and analyse complex realities from diverse perspectives. It is this deeply ingrained lens that informs their rigorously ethical and critical approach as both a film critic and visual artist, shaping a decolonial stance not only towards land and blood but also towards the bodies of minorities, including those within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Ilaria’s work consistently delves into how social, political, and minority representation themes are shaped by cinematic culture, with a particular focus on the historical memory. Their artistic practice extends to photography, painting, and video, all employed to scrutinise dynamics of power and representation. Each intervention is conceived as an act of resistance, challenging homogeneous narratives and bringing to light what has been hidden or ignored. This commitment stems from an understanding that the societal frameworks often fail to acknowledge the full spectrum of human experience, particularly for those at the margins, compelling marginalised identities to strive for recognition beyond conventional limits.
A staunch transfeminist intersectional advocate, Ilaria rejects the reductive nature of labels, integrating their non-binary identity seamlessly into their critical and artistic output. Their work, deeply influenced by their activism with NUDM Como, offers stratified analyses that illuminate the diverse axes of oppression, recognising that personal histories create unique challenges and perspectives. This rigorous methodology firmly rejects superficiality and self-congratulation, prioritising authenticity and historical truth. Their analyses aim to ignite critical thought, questioning assumptions and challenging conventions, while seeking to rebuild systems that genuinely accommodate individual needs without creating new forms of exclusion.
An alumna of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, where they graduated with highest honours and academic distinction , Ilaria sees their art as communication, a different plating of the same core message. To experience the full breadth of this critical and artistic journey, and to engage with a body of work designed to provoke profound reflection and challenge prevailing narratives, we invite you to explore the dedicated sections of this site.