On April 6, 2009, a powerful earthquake shook the Italian city of L'Aquila and its surrounding area. The village of Onna was hit particularly hard: 40 of its 300 residents died, and the village was almost completely destroyed. Onna had already suffered greatly during World War II, when German Wehrmacht soldiers carried out a massacre on June 11, 1944, destroying numerous buildings.
Image gallery
Haus am Lützowplatz
Onna is a place of pain. Many residents have lost loved ones. An earthquake shakes not only the earth, but also faith in the permanence of the world. Ten years after the disaster, people are still living in temporary shelters – reconstruction has stalled.
Photographer Göran Gnaudschun portrayed the villagers and documented their stories. He found grief in their faces, but also strength and the will to carry on. Archival images and personal photos connect the past and the present, while texts from interviews and documents create another narrative layer.
The Onna massacre was one of many in Italy, and German guilt was barely atoned for. The village's history demonstrates how deeply global events impact the lives of individuals, how wars and catastrophes leave trauma in their wake. "Voices Seeking Each Other" addresses memory, pain, and loss—but also the strength to continue living.
The project was shown in Onna in 2019, at the Goethe-Institut Rome, and in 2021 at the Venice Architecture Biennale. Since then, it has grown and deepened.
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Accessibility
Access to the exhibition floor is limited and accessible via the stairwell, elevator, or the ramp in the courtyard. On-site supervisors are available to provide assistance if needed.
