Adrian Paci and Immigration to Italy Centro di Permanenza Temporanea

Abstract

This paper examines the issues of borders and migrants by closely analysing the artwork Centro di Permanenza Temporanea (Centre for Temporary Permanence) [2007] by Albanian-born artist Adrian Paci. CPT is a short video filmed in San José, California, not far from the US – Mexico border, which is fraught with issues of migrant influx. The work makes a pointed reference to institutions in Italy whose function is to detain illegal migrants and determine whether they remain in Italian territory or face expulsion. Paci’s video subtly yet powerfully denounces the ongoing treatment of specific groups of migrants at troubled borders and skilfully films near the US – Mexico border in California. This paper aims to explore how CPT illustrates, in parallel scenarios, the ongoing discriminatory process against migrants with ‘undesirable’ provenances.