Stop Gun Violence - 2nd Amendment, is a powerful installation by artist Annalisa Iadicicco on view at La Mama Gallery [2] (located at 6 East First Street)  until the end of the month as part of the collective “La MaMa Family Show.” Artists who have worked at or collaborated with La MaMa throughout the past 5 decades have contributed a piece of artwork, with no media restrictions. “The result is a salon style exhibit that truly represents the La MaMa spirit.” In the past, Annalisa has collaborated on a series of video installations for “Clowns Ex Machina,” a clowns show by creator and director Kendall Cornell.

“The piece 2nd Amendment is made of metal, a discarded street sign, plexiglas and L.E.D.
lights. (size 54"x54")” explains the proud Caserta native and adopted New Yorker, Annalisa Iadicicco [3], “My work is made up of  reclaimed materials & photographs, and sculptures. By combining raw found materials with photographs, I build frames that would create a context and emotional environment for the images. I use materials such as rusted corrugated still metal, cor-ten, reclaimed wood, rusty nails. These humble materials might be found passing a N.Y.C construction site or maybe along an adventure to an old farm upstate. This process led me to discover a three-dimensional world for my art; using reclaimed material found along my urban travels I create sculptures that speak of social injustices and environmental problems. Breathing new life and re-purposing material that would otherwise have been left to wither and age in anonymity compels me to create my art. Each piece inevitably goes through multiple incarnations before it reaches its final state.”

The stop sign featured in 2nd Amendment  was given to Annalisa by one of her patrons. She found it while cleaning her basement, among other junk and an American flag. She immediately thought of Annalisa's art and brought it to her one day and she said “here, I’m sure you’ll do something with it.”  And she did!

So let's talk about this last piece on view at La Mama Gallery.
“The artwork highlights the controversial issue of gun control in American politics,” Annalisa explains, “For the last several decades, the debate regarding both the restriction and availability of firearms within the United States has been characterized by a stalemate between a right to bear arms enshrined in the 2nd amendment to the United State Constitution against the responsibility of government to prevent crime.”

How did you get the idea of this piece?
“The piece was inspired by the recent school and mass shootings in the United States, with the current social and political conversation on gun control becoming so mainstream I felt the need to express my opinion and become active through my art and actions. Having grown up in one of the toughest rural areas of Naples, I have seen first hand the damage guns and gun violence can cause and the harm they inflict on neighborhoods. With this project I wanted to increase awareness and create conversations with the hope to change perceptions and influence change.”

Why is it important to take a stance pro/against such a topic like gun control?
“The debate over gun control is a very complex topic. It's important to understand and listen to both sides since they both have rights with valid concerns and believes. I have learned it through the interesting dialogues that my installation have raised among viewers, what needs to be done is not to let the belief of either sides interfere with mere facts.”

How does art raise awareness on what is going on around us?
By presenting an idea that everyone can relate to, encourage conversations and take actions based on the idea they discovered.

The installation inspired the creation of a T-shirt. The "Stop Gun Violence T-shirt" is a universal message of peace that raises funds and drives social awareness for charitable initiatives. For every T-shirt sold 15% will be donated towards non profit organizations focused on reducing violence by empowering disadvantaged youth, women and their families through educational programs.

“I believe in using art as a means of bringing people together, generating awareness and promoting social change,” Annalisa concludes.

Here the promotional Video about "Stop Gun Violence T-shirt":
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