Robe: What do you do normally?

Giovanni: I’m a lighting designer – working with live acts like Vasco Rossi and Tiziano Ferro, plus installations and other projects, and I enjoy life as much as possible!

Robe: Where are you right now?

Giovanni: Home, north of Rome, Italy … in the countryside

Robe: What are you doing to fill the time whilst self-isolating?

Giovanni: Sleeping, watching movies, reading, engaging in some open-air activity – inasmuch as we are allowed out – and that’s in the woods just behind my home! I am also regularly working out as well as cooking!

Robe: What’s the most creative thing you’re able to do in isolation?

Giovanni: Playing my bass guitar and experimenting with new recipes!

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else?

Giovanni: Yes, my kids ... I’m keeping them active, healthy and eating well!

Robe: Has anyone in particular inspired you since this started?

Giovanni: Not so much one person or people. What’s inspired me and kept me motivated is the idea of not letting go! Something very deep inside that tells you to keep focused more than ever and think positive. Maybe that’s a basic survival instinct?

Robe: Favourite book / movie / Netflix series / viral video

Giovanni: The book I’m reading right now is (Norwegian writer) Jo Nesbø’s Macbeth! The movies are draining my hard disk ???? I’m not a big ‘series’ fan and I’m trying to avoid all the WhatsApp and social junk that’s flying around as much as possible!

(Robe: We were delighted that Giovanni did answer our initial WhatsApp contact!) ????

Robe: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when we are through this?

Giovanni: Run along the beach, go for a sail... and maybe also light a show!!!

Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you’d want to say?

Giovanni: Will we be better people when all this will end?

Probably not but maybe just a bit more aware of the importance of so many little things that we usually ignore and take for granted.

We are not actually doing much ... having been asked to help save the nation simply by laying down on the sofa and staying at home!

Those who are out there in the health service, working and struggling on the front line with the virus right there are the ones who deserve all our gratitude and respect. They are fighting a real and proper war for all of us!