Hydra: 10 years later

10 years ago I came to Hydra looking for Adelina von Furstenberg. I had just finished my philosophy degree and didn’t have a clue about anything: who I was, what I wanted and how the world looked like. I was raised in a provincial wealthy town. I thought my father’s library had a copy of every book published in the world. The world looked small and oppressive but I knew there was something else. Therefore I went to Hydra.

I went to Hydra with Ermanno, a PR professional who worked for a Japanese fashion designer. I met him in Milan by chance. He had the funny idea of introducing me to Adelina, at the time a legendary contemporary art curator related of the German Princely family.

A similar and funny idea of another friend made me leave law for philosophy. What a right choice: not for a career but my life. Hence I accepted the offer and I left for Hydra.

Hydra per se is another mythical place where artists and gallerists from all over the world gather in summer. It’s that sort of gauche caviar beloved by the Western art world: no cars, only donkeys for transport; beautiful pittoreschi blue and white houses; and every body dresses up for dinner.

I still remember that awkward embarasssment of a provincial just landing in the middle of the party at the palace. That person was me!

My professional life started in Hydra. Adelina was my first boss. I hadn’t ever moved a finger before. After that experience I felt I crossed all the three Oceans (and actually I did).

Going back to Hydra was like Odysseus returning home after the War of Troy and 10 years of voyage across the sea. You know I like to think myself as grand.

I also like making an assessment of my past achievements and that was the right time.

When I came to Hydra the first time I was looking for myself. I knew I couldn’t go back and must find a way forward.
I didn’t like where I came from and couldn’t find a place for me.

This time was different. I know who I am, I like what I have achieved, and learnt that the only place for me is the one I make for myself.

Adelina has changed. She is a bit worried about her outlook but she is still in the frame: independent, challenging and in search of the next fight.

The challenge of the week was to get the Iranian film director Jafar Panahi to go to Venezia Film Festival. She has produced his last short movie but he has been in prison because he filmed without government authorization.

Adelina taught everything about work. I’m not sure she is the best teacher. Her professional style is unique

Do you know political correctness? She is the opposite. She always says what she thinks even when it’s not pleasant or convenient. She justifies herself because she was born in Constantinople: “I’m half Asian. You can’t understand”

She has turned upside down what normally we mean by Byzantine. Next time you are rebuked to be inappropriate, quote her.

Her honesty goes beyond telling the truth. By chance I saw the film Agora again with her. Do you remember? The woman philosopher Hypathia preferred being killed rather than stopping questioning reality.

Adelina never gives up either. She doesn’t sit down or flatter philanthropists and collectors. She is respected by everybody in the art system. Her shows have been seen by the most famous presidents including Mitterand and Castro. But she will be never be in the establishment. She’s a rebel.

For many years I kept looking at her like a sort of mother. Now Alberto will tease me because I start with the same story ‘I lost my mother when I was a kid’. Don’t worry. It’s the opposite. For the first time Adelina called me a friend and somehow I felt relieved. I arrived in Hydra the first time as a young person and now I’m a man. I lost a mother again but gained a friend. It’s a good deal.

There is more. We talked every day about philosophy, art and politics. Hannah Arendt was our favorite author.

One day she busted: ” my life is tough. I’m alone, not in a structure. Mine is one man show and couldn’t be differently. This is what I am and do”.

Perhaps she is bit too fatalistic but she is true. She reminded me of what I am – that I have to be what I am and can’t be what I’m not or pretend to be what I will never be.

I’m an adventurer looking for the truth on the way back home.

I fell I have to do more politics but there is no place in politics for people like me. Ben is likely to leave for a two-year masters degree in the States. Alberto will be a father soon.

In the next 12 months my life in London might not make any sense anymore. Here I found home but might have to take to the sea again. Odysseus left Ithaca after sorting out all the mess.

You can’t stop an adventurer. I can’t stop.