ART BECOMES SPOKESPERS OF A DRAMATIC PROBLEM: DESERTIFICATION IN SICILY. ACCORDING TO THE ANBI WATER RESOURCES OBSERVATORY, 70% OF THE REGION IS AT RISK OF BECOMING A STERILE AND BARREL LANDSCAPE, THREATENING NOT ONLY THE ECOSYSTEM BUT ALSO THE HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER, AN ESSENTIAL RESOURCE FOR LIFE. THROUGH THE EXPRESSIVE POWER OF HIS PAINTINGS, THE Sicilian ARTIST FRANCESCO GUADAGNUOLO HAS DEDICATED A SERIES OF WORKS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THIS SUBJECT. BUT WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF THIS PHENOMENON? AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CONTRACT IT?
The causes of desertification in Sicily
The desertification it is a complex process involving several factors, both natural and human. In Sicily, the main causes are related to the increase in temperature and the decrease in precipitation, phenomena directly related to global climate changes. The region has experienced an increase in recent decades drought, endangering soil fertility and drastically reducing water reserves.
The situation is further aggravated by the lack of modern and sufficient infrastructure for water collection and storage. Existing basins are unable to meet growing demand, while a significant portion of this resource is lost due to outdated or poorly functioning distribution systems.
Another determining factor is represented by the fireworkmany of which are malicious or caused by human carelessness. Fires destroy large areas of vegetation, exposing the land to erosion and accelerating the process of desertification. The central and southern areas of Sicily are hardest hit, where 117 km² of fertile land turns to desert every year.
The consequences for the region and the ecosystem
Desertification on the beautiful island has serious consequences not only for agriculture, one of the region’s most important economic resources, but also for the entire ecosystem. The gradual loss of fertile land is making traditional crops such as olive, citrus and almond trees difficult and pushing the agricultural economy into crisis. Moreover, this phenomenon irreversibly damages biodiversity: native animal and plant species are in danger of becoming extinct as natural habitats are drastically reduced.
Another problem is related to the quality of life of local communities.
Drought not only threatens direct access to drinking water for families, but also affects vital sectors such as agriculture, which represents one of the most important sources of livelihood in the region. This problem also affects the Sicilian economy, with significant consequences for tourism, a fundamental resource for the island. Landscapes that once attracted visitors for their beauty and biodiversity are gradually losing their natural charm due to desertification and environmental degradation. These factors threaten to trigger a vicious circle of economic and social decline, affecting all productive sectors of the island.
Solutions to combat desertification
There are several strategies that can be implemented to combat the phenomenon of desertification in Sicily. First, it is essential to modernize and improve water collection and management systems. Efficient irrigation systems that minimize water loss can make a difference, especially in a region where water is becoming an increasingly precious commodity. At the same time, it is necessary to implement policies that promote the sustainable use of water resources and limit waste.
Another important solution is reforestation and the creation of new green areas. Trees help prevent soil erosion and help retain moisture. Targeted reforestation projects can revitalize desertified areas, improving not only the environment but also local agricultural conditions.
Agriculture itself can become part of the solution by adopting sustainable practices such as terracing and using vegetative covers that retain moisture in the soil. These techniques are fundamental in a context of water scarcity as they help maintain soil fertility and improve crop yields.
Finally, a robust regulatory framework is needed that encourages the sustainable management of natural resources and protects the environment. This includes controlling fires and taking preventive measures against deforestation. Laws and regulations should promote environmental responsibility and encourage local communities to actively participate in protecting their territory. In this context, art can play an important role as a means of raising awareness and promoting environmental protection. It is able to convey powerful messages that touch the emotional chords of the audience and awaken an ecological conscience.
The artistic commitment of Francesco Guadagnuolo: art as a means of raising awareness
Francesco Guadagnuoloa versatile and committed artist, is known not only for his talent, but also for his profound civic and social commitment. Born in 1956 in Catania, Sicily and active between Rome and New York, his artistic production extends between painting, sculpture and installations and addresses contemporary themes of great importance. In fact, his art is not just an aesthetic question, but a tool to raise awareness of social, humanitarian and ecological issues. Over the years, Guadagnuolo has covered topics such as human rights, migration, global conflicts and, more recently, environmental challenges, with a particular focus on the issues facing his home country.
The approach “Artivist”
Guadagnuolo can be defined as a “artist“, a term that combines the concepts of artist and activist. His belief is that art should not be relegated to the aesthetic sphere alone, but should become a powerful tool to promote social change and raise public awareness of pressing issues. His work is therefore not limited to depicting reality, but invites a deeper reflection on the problems of the modern world, with a clear intention to positively influence society. In this sense, Guadagnuolo sees art as a means to draw attention to injustices and to encourage action.
The trilogy about the ecological emergency in Sicily
A particularly meaningful example of his commitment is the trilogy of works that address the theme of desertification in Sicily “Sicily risks desertification”, “The endless drought in Sicily”, and the “Manifesto” for the human right to water, “We want water from the tap.”
By using intense colors such as ocher, brown and black, the artist evokes the image of a country that is slowly losing its vitality. A threat that risks turning the island, a historically fertile and lush region, into an arid desert.
However, the works are not only intended to expose degradation, but to encourage the public to think about their role in protecting the environment. They are a call to action, awareness and collective responsibility. Art thus becomes a lens through which the ecological problem can be viewed, making the observer aware of a subject that is too often ignored.
But let’s focus on the poster again.
Il “Manifesto” by Francesco Guadagnuolo: an urgent call for the right to water
The Manifesto “We want water from the tap”makes a powerful artistic statement in favor of the human right to water, addressing the dramatic water crisis plaguing Caltanissetta and all of Sicily. This work is not just a protest demonstration, but a profound expression of the artist’s love for his homeland, as already evident in his pictorial composition from August 2024, “The endless drought in Caltanissetta and throughout Sicily,” with which he tells the suffering and beauty of the Sicilian landscape.
Guadagnuolo uses collage to depict not only geography, but also the serious problems caused by water shortages. At the center of his work is an arid landscape, surrounded by a map of Sicily. Here the ground is riddled with cracks and the withered trees tell a story of desolation and desolation. The representation of a ‘hand’ in the center of the painting symbolizes the Sicilian people, irritated, desperate for water: a powerful visual reminder that exposes the injustice of an essential resource that does not flow from the taps, but only from the hands of those who struggle to survive.
The working atmosphere is intense and fascinating. Guadagnuolo manages to bring out the bright contrasts and shadows of a landscape full of nature, but devastated by extreme climatic conditions. The artist does not limit himself to describing a disturbing reality; he invites the viewer to reflect on a much broader dilemma: the inadequacy of Sicilian water infrastructure, characterized by incomplete dams and poorly maintained networks, is intertwined with the climate crisis, making the situation even more precarious.
Il “Manifesto” represents a warning cry that cannot be ignored
In fact, the artist not only succeeds in documenting reality, but also in interpreting it. His aesthetic research is not limited to mere representation: it offers a new perspective on the past, present and future, embracing a ‘transrealist’ approach that transcends temporal and spatial limitations.
For this reason, the Manifesto “We want water from the tap” has received a wide consensus from critics and the public, praised for its ability to raise awareness of the urgency of the water crisis in Sicily.
A commitment to social and environmental justice
In addition to environmental issues, Francesco Guadagnuolo is known for his continued commitment to social justice. His works also explore themes such as migrationsminority rights and wars, always with the aim of provoking active reflection from the public.
Through his works he proposes an art that not only represents change, but also acts as a catalyst.
In conclusion, Guadagnuolo is an example of how artistic creations can be transformed into an instrument of social struggle and condemnation. But no matter how strong and inspiring the message of art is, the question spontaneously arises: will it be enough?
Only with a collaboration between art, science, politics and society can we hope for a better future for Sicily and for all countries threatened by desertification.