Passaggi X Ottagono: cross-pollination takes shape

An evening dedicated to photography, books and dialogue, confirming the value of an initiative created to bring culture into the spaces of everyday life.

At the heart of the event on 10 June 2026 was the photography exhibition “Il circo delle sardine” (The Sardine Circus) by Enrico La Bianca, presented to the public through a discussion moderated by Prof. Alessandro Salerno. The dialogue offered an insight into the artist's creative path and the meaning of an exhibition that will remain on show inside Bar Ottagono for the next three months.

Enrico La Bianca's exhibition is part of the programme of the Second PAssaggi Biennale, which involves eight photographers: Mario Valenti, Giuseppe Casaburi, Angelo Zzaven, Massimo Privitera, Alberto Castro, Enrico La Bianca, Franco Ferro and Emanuele Carpenzano. Eight different perspectives, eight ways of observing and interpreting reality, brought together in a project that turns the bar into a widespread, accessible exhibition space.

PAssaggi was born from exactly this idea: making Ottagono not only a meeting place, but also an open cultural venue, able to host installations, photography exhibitions, book presentations and discussions. Art thus enters everyday life, meeting people naturally, over a coffee, a break and a conversation.

During the evening there was also a mention of the presentation of the book “Nero come il silenzio” (Black as Silence) by Giuseppe Reina and Riccardo Renda, another piece of the cultural programme promoted by PAssaggi. The presence of literature alongside photography confirms the project's aim to bring different languages into dialogue, creating opportunities for authors, artists and the public to meet.

A central role is also given to the shared library, conceived as an open, participatory space. Not just a collection of books, but a collective gesture: an invitation to leave, take, read, swap and share stories. In this sense, PAssaggi becomes a cultural project that grows through people's contributions and through its bond with the local area.

With this new opening, Bar Ottagono renews its commitment to promoting initiatives that combine conviviality and culture. The evening dedicated to Enrico La Bianca and his exhibition “Il circo delle sardine” is a further step in a journey that continues to transform a familiar place into a living space, open to beauty, participation and community.