Old Factory 

Gianni Cacciarini’s print, “Old Factory,” captures a moment of quietude, rendering the architecture of labor in delicate lines. Born in 1941, Cacciarini's artistic sensibilities were likely shaped by Italy’s post-war reconstruction and the changing landscape of labor and industry. The factory, once a site of human activity, is now still and silent. The artist coaxes us to reflect on the changing nature of work. What does it mean when a place of production falls into disuse? This etching uses a traditional medium to depict a modern subject. The print gives the factory a sense of dignity and permanence, even as its state of decay becomes apparent. The scene might evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, or perhaps a concern about economic and social shifts. The detailed linework and subtle shading almost serve as a melancholic reminder of the human stories embedded within these walls. In its stillness, Cacciarini’s print prompts reflection on the intersection of progress, memory, and the silent witnesses of our industrial past.