Artefacting Public Art + Research Practice

Artefacting Willets Point

Team Members

Alex White-Mazzarella is the Founding Director and Manager of Artefacting. An artist & urbanist he sparked Artefacting as an initiative in utilizing art, collaboration and positivity as means of building community and engaging the pressing social and cultural issues at the community level. With courage, multiculturalism and global insight in hand, Alex is passionate about bringing diverse audiences together. Through Artefacting he conducts artistic interventions from the inside of a community out to spawn fresh perspective, possibilities and boost social cohesion.

He received his BA in economics at Clark University (2002) and studied Urban Planning & Architecture at Portland State University and Universidad Politecnica de Barcelona. He developed the Central Waterfront Planning and Design Competition as the Program Manager of Designing Hong Kong before moving to New York City to work as an artist - training under Hugo Bastidas, Phillip Sherrod and Larry Poons at the Art Students League. His work is in private collections in the USA, Europe and India and he exhibits regularly in New York City. www.lamazza.com is his personal website.


Through his extensive travels, Arne de Knegt has had the fortune of being part of everyday realities of many of the world’s cultures, societies and religions, shaping his nature as a world citizen. As a photographer and idealist, he sees Artefacting as a way to re-shape the way we think about our world and the many components it exists of. Through human interaction and addressing issues of social nature, his passion lies in looking for a more just society.

His background in Urban Planning and his logistical knowledge - built up through years of freelancing as a stage technician on world tours of large rock-n-roll bands - enables him to analyze local issues at a transparent level combined with logistical engagement in making Artefacting’s public activities possible.
His photographic works have been published and exhibited and are in private collections in over a dozen countries worldwide. Arne has been central to Artefacting’s establishment, figuring in largely to the Dharavi, Detroit, Willets Point and Global Village projects. www.arnedeknegt.com is his personal website.

Collaborating Artists

Annalisa Iadicicco is a mixed-media artist working in installations and photography.
Born in Italy, Iadicicco moved to New York in 1997 to pursue her creative career and study
photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After working for several years with
major movie and television productions she has returned to her roots to focus on creating art
from raw found materials and photography.

Iadicicco is currently working on a documentary on immigrant workers and is doing work
with indigenous populations in South America. Her work has been included in various
group shows in New York and Italy. www.annalisaiadicicco.com is her personal website.

Supporting Organization

Queens Museum of Art

The Queens Museum of Art is dedicated to presenting the highest quality visual arts and educational programming for people in the New York metropolitan area, and particularly for the residents of Queens, a uniquely diverse ethnic, cultural and international community.

The Museum fulfills its mission by designing and providing art exhibitions and educational experiences that promote the appreciation and enjoyment of art, support the creative efforts of artists, and enhance the quality of life through interpreting, collecting, and exhibiting art, architecture, and design.

The Queens Museum of Art presents artistic and educational programs and exhibitions that directly relate to the contemporary urban life of its constituents while maintaining the highest standards of professional, intellectual, and ethical responsibility.