Impiraressa: A Multi-Threaded Podcast Hosted by Anna Battista
”Impiraressa” is a Venetian word that refers to craftswomen who used to thread colored glass beads with multiple needles, simultaneously. The podcast, drawing from the impiraressa’s art, is an eclectic journey through diverse topics, themes and styles, offering listeners a variety of stories, commentary, and interviews.
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Episodes
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
"Death-à-Porter" is a darkly humorous and satirical exploration of life, death, beauty, and transformation. Francesca and Seb, two struggling makeup students, find themselves working at a funeral parlor and develop an unexpected fascination for thanato-aesthetic. As they grow proficient, they become also more daring, deciding to turn one of their jobs into an end-of-year project and submit it to a competition, becoming finalists. Their journey takes them into the bizarre world of the fashion industry, where they confront its shallowness and obsession with appearances. Through their experiences, the two protagonists come to understand that, when the purposes of one's life shift, it doesn't signify the demise of one's dreams, but rather their evolution into something new.
Music for this episode:
"Le ore della notte", "Dentro la nevrosi", "Ritmo sinistro", "Indagini al buio", "Sadica Notte", "Le ballerine", "Un treno vuoto", "Fumo e ombre": written Berto Pisano, performed by Nino Rosso e il suo Complesso, published by Kutmusic Italhouse Produzioni Musicali, released by Kutmusic, 2020.
"Disarmata Waltz 1", "Seduta spiritica", "Disarmata Sad Slow 1", "Disarmata Waltz 5", "Disarmata Waltz 4", "Disarmata Strong - Main Theme 2 (No Drums)", written and performed by Nicola C. Salerno, published by Kutmusic Italhouse Produzioni Musicali, released by Kutmusic, 2019-2020.
"Farid / Astronauts from Maghreb", written by N. Battista, A. Lioci, L. Meloni, P. Petraccia. and performed by Impro featuring Pino Petraccia, published by Kutmusic Italhouse Produzioni Musicali, recorded in 2002, originally released by Comfort Stand, 2003.
Impiraressa is brought to you by Irenebrination and Kutmusic. Impiraressa is written and hosted by Anna Battista.
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Narratives, much like seeds, possess a dynamic nature; they evolve, expand, and journey, in often unexpected directions. Episode 2 of Impiraressa starts with the fleeting "Tomato Girl Summer" trend, enveloped in Mediterranean vibes and characterized by an idealized depiction of carefree summer experiences. From there, it delves into personal recollections and dives deep into the distressing reality of migrant agricultural laborers in Italy, particularly within the tomato harvesting sector, where labor conditions starkly resemble modern-day slavery.
The exploration draws striking parallels between the agricultural industry and the fast fashion world, illuminating the exploitation of low-cost labor and the glaring disparity between professed ethical standards and the harsh truth.
Ultimately, the message is clear: trends may come and go, but human exploitation endures. While individually we may feel powerless, our collective efforts to scrutinize and question the systems, producers, and products perpetuating this exploitation can drive positive transformation. It is of paramount importance that we do not avert our gaze from the suffering of others, for the scars of trauma persist long after trends have faded into obscurity.
Music for this episode: "Johnny Sera (Sigla Prima Puntata)", written and performed by Franco Pisano, published by Kutmusic Italhouse Produzioni Musicali, recorded in 1966, released by Kutmusic, 2023; "Salute Paisà (Hello Neighbor)", written by Giuseppe Giacomantonio and Vincenzo Perugini, performed by Quartetto Silano, published by Kutmusic Italhouse Produzioni Musicali, recorded in 1961, released by Kutmusic, 2021; "La Passata (Wet Tomato Love Potion)" and "La Bollitura (Boiling Up Tomato Bliss)", performed by The Frog, published by Kutmusic Italhouse Produzioni Musicali, released by Irene Disques, 2023; "City_Demented" and "City_Extraterrestrial", written and performed by Aldo Lanzini Aviance, courtesy of the Artist.
Impiraressa is brought to you by Irenebrination and Kutmusic. Impiraressa is written and hosted by Anna Battista.
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Presentation of the Podcast Impiraressa, written and hosted by Anna Battista, produced by Irenebrination and Kutmusic. Music: "Appunti di Viaggio", written and performed by Domenico Imperato, published by Kutmusic Italhouse Produzioni Musicali, released by Kutmusic, 2023.
Impiraréssa: from the Venetian impiràr, to thread. Name given in Venice to the craftswomen who used to thread colored glass beads with long needles.
The impiraresse were unassuming women who worked from their doorsteps, often in small groups outside their homes.
Though this was an ordinary and humble job, it was important for the number of women it employed and for its economic relevance.
It provided a vital means of support for their families especially during times when men faced extended periods of unemployment. Besides, without these dedicated women, the local merchants would have been unable to market the exquisite Venetian beads in long, alluring strands.
The compensation for their work was not generous. In fact, despite requiring skill, patience, and keen eyesight, these women received rather meager wages. But there were no alternatives for them, so they still had to accept the job. Nevertheless, the most proficient among them devised clever strategies to maximize their earnings. They would use multiple needles, deftly threading beads on several strings simultaneously.
The impiraressa is the primary inspiration behind this podcast. The act of threading beads mirrors the art of storytelling, and using multiple needles becomes a metaphor for exploring a variety of topics.