Simo Capecchi – Architect and illustrator

The seminar presents the work of survey and an illustrated reportage that chronicles a year spent among Capri’s olive trees alongside the members of “L’Oro di Capri,” who are dedicated to sustainable agriculture, landscape restoration, and the revival of long-lost traditions on this small island in the Gulf of Naples, southern Italy.

Away from the bustling tourism and celebrity allure, there lies a different Capri—one that is less known but no less captivating. Presented as a watercolor travel sketchbook, this detailed account, composed entirely on location, tells an extraordinary story: that of a collective effort to restore and cultivate new olive groves, rediscover traditional farming methods, and explore the relationship between human labor and nature. The narrative follows a year of dedicated work in Capri’s olive groves, situated on steep terrain between rocky cliffs and the sea. This timeless agricultural practice, which remained largely unchanged for centuries, has been revitalized with modern, sustainable, and regenerative approaches. The story is deeply rooted in community, cultural identity, and a vision for the future that prioritizes long-term stewardship over short-term gain, involving schools, institutions, local stakeholders, and artists in the process.

Simo Capecchi is an architect and illustrator based in Naples who specializes in illustrated maps, drawings, and sketched reportages. She works for the Italian travel magazine “Dove” since 2015 and collaborates with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where she created the new official illustrated map. She is part of the global community of Urban Sketchers.

inviaggiocoltaccuino.blogspot.com / @simo_capecchi