Conceived as a poetic metaphor for the conflict between good and evil which may arise within a community, Velasco Vitali's Il Branco is a large sculptural installation consisting of more than 50 life-size dogs sculpted in iron, corten, resins and bitumen, steel and gold, all materials which are often recycled from building abuses.

On the 30th anniversary of the Capaci massacre, in which Judge Giovanni Falcone lost his life, and the assassination of Judge Paolo Borsellino, Il Branco travelled to Palermo, first stopping at the Bunker Room of the Ucciardone, the site of the historic maxi-trial of Cosa Nostra, then at Questura, Palazzo Reale and finally the historic headquarters of the Department of Law at the University. All are symbolic sites of the struggle against the Mafia and in recent years have narrated, experienced and guided the conflict between the State, the community and organised crime.

Nine bronze and iron dogs from the Sicilian herd can be now encountered at Galleria Doris Ghetta, following a great project involving a number of Gardena artists who were actively involved in Palermo this year for the demonstrations on 23 May, the anniversary of Falcone's death.

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