Remember Italy

Remember Italy documentary photography project critically examines how mass-produced objects shape tourist culture. In a capitalist world, souvenirs—once meaningful keepsakes—have become cheap, disposable commodities, flooding gift shops with low-quality trinkets that reduce cultural heritage to kitsch. Iconic artworks like Botticelli’s Venus or Michelangelo’s David are turned into plastic figurines, detaching them from their historical and artistic value. Meanwhile, tourists feel an almost obligatory need to purchase souvenirs, reinforcing patterns of mindless consumption.

This project questions the necessity of these objects and explores more sustainable ways to remember a place. Digital photography offers an eco-friendly alternative, allowing travelers to capture meaningful moments without contributing to waste. By shifting our approach to travel—being more intentional about where, when and how often we travel—we can all drastically reduce the environmental and cultural impact of mass tourism.