"Hulk's Toys" (by Tommaso Barsali)

Franco's toys are all of his life, his present, his past and future. They are also mysterious works of art, a powerful example of uselessness of violence and detention against mental problems, unfortunately still heavily enforced in many countries and situations Stories like Franco's seem to show that relief is possible only through beauty, respect and humanity.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 19:59:11 +0000

Franco's toys are all of his life, his present, his past and future. They are also mysterious works of art, a powerful example of uselessness of violence and detention against mental problems, unfortunately still heavily enforced in many countries and situations Stories like Franco's seem to show that relief is possible only through beauty, respect and humanity.
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Franco Bellucci was detained in an italian asylum since his childhood, during 40 years, 15 tied to his bed all day long. Nowadays he lives in an open facility in Livorno, Italy, where his condition is respected and his creativity is encouraged. His main interest is in his toys, that he makes everyday by himself tying in knots all kind of materials.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:01:15 +0000

Franco Bellucci was detained in an italian asylum since his childhood, during 40 years, 15 tied to his bed all day long. Nowadays he lives in an open facility in Livorno, Italy, where his condition is respected and his creativity is encouraged. His main interest is in his toys, that he makes everyday by himself tying in knots all kind of materials.
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His toys come from all possible kind of wires, cords and objects. One of the main reasons for his 40 years long detention was his destructivenes towards things combined with his great force. Today, this impulse has transformed almost completely in a creative one.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:01:50 +0000

His toys come from all possible kind of wires, cords and objects. One of the main reasons for his 40 years long detention was his destructivenes towards things combined with his great force. Today, this impulse has transformed almost completely in a creative one.
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Rooms are made for two in the mental health facility. For people that like Franco, have lived all their lives in mental institutions, subject to violence, physical restrictions during years, it would be impossible to take care of themselves alone. Self-care and social exchange is encouraged as a progress.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:02:24 +0000

Rooms are made for two in the mental health facility. For people that like Franco, have lived all their lives in mental institutions, subject to violence, physical restrictions during years, it would be impossible to take care of themselves alone. Self-care and social exchange is encouraged as a progress.
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Riccardo Bargellini, artist, facilitates visual expression workshops for patients of the mental health district in Livorno. He was one of the first to notice and encourage Franco's creativity, bringing him recycled material and dismissed toys. He is periodically asked to organize exhibits with Franco's toys.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:02:59 +0000

Riccardo Bargellini, artist, facilitates visual expression workshops for patients of the mental health district in Livorno. He was one of the first to notice and encourage Franco's creativity, bringing him recycled material and dismissed toys. He is periodically asked to organize exhibits with Franco's toys.
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In 1978, when a law abolished asylums in Italy, Franco went to stay for a short period in his childhood house with his family. The very first thing he did when entering his house, after almost twenty years of detention, was to go look in the room they shared with his brother Mario, in the box where he used to keep his toys as a child.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:03:34 +0000

In 1978, when a law abolished asylums in Italy, Franco went to stay for a short period in his childhood house with his family. The very first thing he did when entering his house, after almost twenty years of detention, was to go look in the room they shared with his brother Mario, in the box where he used to keep his toys as a child.
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Rainy day, bad mood.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:04:06 +0000

Rainy day, bad mood.
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People working in the facility play a major role in taking care of Franco and the others. There is always a word of simpathy for each one.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:07:46 +0000

People working in the facility play a major role in taking care of Franco and the others. There is always a word of simpathy for each one.
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While firmly tied to it, his bed was set on fire.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:08:27 +0000

While firmly tied to it, his bed was set on fire.
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One of the main reasons for his lifelong detention was his great physical force, combined with his destructivity towards objects. He has never used violence against the livings.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:08:57 +0000

One of the main reasons for his lifelong detention was his great physical force, combined with his destructivity towards objects. He has never used violence against the livings.
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Franco never separates from his toys.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:09:31 +0000

Franco never separates from his toys.
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The mental health facility where Franco lives is entitled to Franco Basaglia, the psychiatrist that inspired the 1978 revolutionary law that abolished asylums, making Italy the first and only country in the world where asylums are illegal. Mental health services and facilities like this one in Livorno, where the combined social, human, medical and economical resources provide a true alternative to asylums are still very few.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:10:00 +0000

The mental health facility where Franco lives is entitled to Franco Basaglia, the psychiatrist that inspired the 1978 revolutionary law that abolished asylums, making Italy the first and only country in the world where asylums are illegal. Mental health services and facilities like this one in Livorno, where the combined social, human, medical and economical resources provide a true alternative to asylums are still very few.
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When, in 1998, the asylum where he lived was finally closed down, 20 years after the 1978 law abolishing it, Franco did not speak and was absolutely not capable of taking care of himself. Franco was received in a public open mental health facility in Livorno, where an innovative approach towards mental health is oriented towards encouraging creativity and opening the facility to the general public as much as possible, through small concerts, art exhibitions and workshops.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:10:31 +0000

When, in 1998, the asylum where he lived was finally closed down, 20 years after the 1978 law abolishing it, Franco did not speak and was absolutely not capable of taking care of himself. Franco was received in a public open mental health facility in Livorno, where an innovative approach towards mental health is oriented towards encouraging creativity and opening the facility to the general public as much as possible, through small concerts, art exhibitions and workshops.
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Franco seen in the contemporary art park surrounding the center where he lives.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:31:07 +0000

Franco seen in the contemporary art park surrounding the center where he lives.
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With other residents, during the soundcheck of a concert in the park.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:32:26 +0000

With other residents, during the soundcheck of a concert in the park.
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Franco looking for objects to make his toys.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:33:57 +0000

Franco looking for objects to make his toys.
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His only family left is his brother Mario, who took care of him during all his life. Due to his age and health problems, it would be almost impossible for him to adequately take care of Franco. He visits frequently, and they go out for the day during weekends, a moment that Franco expects with great anticipation.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:13:24 +0000

His only family left is his brother Mario, who took care of him during all his life. Due to his age and health problems, it would be almost impossible for him to adequately take care of Franco. He visits frequently, and they go out for the day during weekends, a moment that Franco expects with great anticipation.
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Franco Bellucci seen with other residents in the park outside the open mental health facility in Livorno.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:18:43 +0000

Franco Bellucci seen with other residents in the park outside the open mental health facility in Livorno.
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Franco has a deep relationship with his brother, whom also encourages and is very patient with Franco's passion for his self-made toys.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:14:37 +0000

Franco has a deep relationship with his brother, whom also encourages and is very patient with Franco's passion for his self-made toys.
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Franco's brother Mario is his only family left. He takes care of him as he did all his life.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:15:08 +0000

Franco's brother Mario is his only family left. He takes care of him as he did all his life.
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In the car for a sunday off, with his brother.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:35:12 +0000

In the car for a sunday off, with his brother.
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Although his height and force has certainly contributed to create a sense of insecurity in people who did not know him, Franco's destructiveness has always been directed only towards things and objects, and never, in no occasion, to people.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:16:12 +0000

Although his height and force has certainly contributed to create a sense of insecurity in people who did not know him, Franco's destructiveness has always been directed only towards things and objects, and never, in no occasion, to people.
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When he goes out with his brother, Franco's curiosity is almost neverending, always walking, looking, examining.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:16:49 +0000

When he goes out with his brother, Franco's curiosity is almost neverending, always walking, looking, examining.
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His toys are a constant thought to Franco. He only sometimes accepts to exchange them for new material, to make again others.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:17:27 +0000

His toys are a constant thought to Franco. He only sometimes accepts to exchange them for new material, to make again others.
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Making his own toys is a lenghty process for Franco, during which he adds detalis, knots, objects over and over again.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:19:14 +0000

Making his own toys is a lenghty process for Franco, during which he adds detalis, knots, objects over and over again.
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Franco has deeply suffered from the 40 years he was force to spend in the asylum, tied to his bed, exposed to violence and often inhuman treatments. Today, he lives a life made of his toys in a facility which is his home and where he is treated with respect and humanity. Although he sometimes cries, he seems to hold no anger towards the world.

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:19:53 +0000

Franco has deeply suffered from the 40 years he was force to spend in the asylum, tied to his bed, exposed to violence and often inhuman treatments. Today, he lives a life made of his toys in a facility which is his home and where he is treated with respect and humanity. Although he sometimes cries, he seems to hold no anger towards the world.
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Toy #1

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:24:27 +0000

Toy #1
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Toy #2

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:24:11 +0000

Toy #2
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Toy #3

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:23:56 +0000

Toy #3
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Toy #4

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:23:42 +0000

Toy #4
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Toy #5

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:23:30 +0000

Toy #5
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