Dan Carrano, the co-founder of cultural publication Escape Vision was born in Naples and grew up on its east side, in San Giorgio. When I ask what Naples means to him, he looks me straight in the eye and says quite simply, “Naples is everything to me, it is my family.”
It is a place he has been since childhood, discovering its beauty, culture and tradition, but also the decadence of a city with few funds and opportunities. To him though, regardless of everything, it will always be home.
In what has been a passion project and a labour of love, Dan has released a photographic and personal narrative entitled, ‘L Urlo del Ciuccio.’ It is a love letter to the city and its football club, told through over 70 incredible images, which capture everything remarkable about Naples. It is a story which starts in 2017 with historical murals from the years of Maradona and takes you through to Napoli’s triumphant and historic 3rd Scudetto.
The images throughout ‘L Urlo del Ciuccio’ tell ‘the evolution of the city, its relationship with football, urban art and tourism. The zine is divided into 3 chapters and describes the emotion of winning the Scudetto from the perspective of the Curva B where Dan sits loyally with his father and extended family.
Speaking with Dan, you begin to understand not only the importance of what it means to be Neapolitan, but you also realise what the impact of winning the 3rd Scudetto had on the city.
“I find the mix of cultures in Naples incredible and I find it wonderful to be at the centre of the Mediterranean, at the centre of the world almost. I never thought I would experience winning the Scudetto, certainly not with so many new players. Despite a glorious history (as a city), we are not that victorious.”
It was a pleasure to sit down with Dan as he told us about his wonderful publication and why he would give everything for Naples.
There are a lot of quotes, which Neapolitans can pick up on, there is all my love for the city IN IT
I am happy to be finally publishing ‘L Urlo del Ciuccio’ I hope it is the beginning of a journey. I have many ideas for both my projects and for Escape Vision and for the many things that can be done in and for Naples.
In 2017 I started shooting spontaneous graffiti still visible from the Maradona years. In 2018 I had already made a small zine, very rough. I wanted to share moments and emotions, not just posts on Instagram.
Now, in this new version, there is so much of me. I’ve opened up a lot in my writing and I’m a little bit embarrassed too. There are a lot of quotes, which Neapolitans can pick up on, there is all my love for the city in it.
I consider it a very important project, for which I have spent a lot of energy. I deliberately wanted it to come out on 25 November in honour of Maradona, since the book starts from his death and the graffiti that appeared afterwards.
There is an insert in the zine showing love for Napoli not only through graffiti, and, there is also a postcard created by a historical writer. 3 products for 3 Scudetti and a unique emotion.
I love sitting in my usual seat with my father
I think I underestimate the stadium experience, I’m used to it by now. For others it will certainly be beautiful, it’s incredible to see the affection that there is for the team, the strength that is put into singing the choruses or the many jerseys that the fans wear.
I really like seeing so many families, so many children. I love sitting in my usual seat with my father and all the people who are usually there, with whom I experienced the Scudetto with last year.
I am a very curious person
My love of photography is all related to my travels as a child. I always had a camera, an analogue one that I still use. I am a very curious person who finds photography therapeutic.
I don’t consider myself a photographer, I also like to write a lot and perhaps there would be no photography without writing and vice versa. However, the book has three written chapters that accompany the photos and are almost as important to me as the photos themselves.
I would give everything for her
Everything about Naples is unique. I would give everything for her and I try to do so with all my projects. Unfortunately, Italy is not in the best shape nor is Naples, but even more so southern Italy, is worse off.
There is a lack of funds and opportunities. In a utopian world, everything would be even more beautiful and functional. I hope to be able to contribute more and more to achieving this, within the limits of my possibilities.
Thank you very much to our friend Dan Carrano
For more information or to buy ‘L Urlo del Ciuccio’ please visit here.
To celebrate such an important milestone the zine will also be accompanied by a special insert and a postcard with an illustration.