Brescia, May 28, 2025 – The evening of May 28 marked the unveiling of “HEART OF THE RACE. Master Mechanics of the Mille Miglia”, a powerful new exhibition by internationally renowned American artist and photographer Elizabeth Ann Kahane. The show has been open to the public from Thursday, May 29 and will remain so until October 31, 2025, at the Museo della Mille Miglia in Brescia, with a parallel installation at MoCa – Centro per le nuove culture.
The opening event, held at the museum on viale della Bornata, welcomed an impressive lineup of speakers and guests, including Davide Peli (President, Museo Mille Miglia), Maria Bussolati (Museum Director and FIVA Culture and Youth Commission member), and Kahane herself, who passionately presented her work. Also present was Donald Osborne, celebrated American automotive historian and television personality, associated with the Audrain Museum in Newport, of which Kahane is a member. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was honoured by the presence of Laura Castelletti, Mayor of Brescia.
The exhibition, under the patronage of FIVA, was officially inaugurated with strong support — ADAC has already acquired four of Kahane’s powerful portraits.
A Second Homecoming for Kahane’s Art
The exhibition marks Kahane’s second collaboration with the Museo Mille Miglia. Her first exhibition, “Front Row Seat”, was held in 2022. Now, as the iconic Freccia Rossa prepares for its centenary, she returns with a unique tribute to the race’s often-overlooked lifeblood: the master mechanics.
During the five days of the 2024 edition of the Mille Miglia , Kahane and her team – a lighting designer, photo assistant, driver, and journalist – followed the intense route of the historic rally, striving to keep pace with the mechanics in the field. They captured both spontaneous roadside repairs and posed portraits using a mobile open-air photo studio. The result is a deeply emotional visual narrative spotlighting the vital role these mechanics play in the race’s success.
A Dual-Site Immersive Experience
In a rare move, the exhibition spans two venues — the Museo Mille Miglia and the MoCa in Brescia — to bring the community into closer contact with the people behind the passion. “I’m thrilled to have my work shown in two spaces simultaneously,” Kahane said. “This project is deeply personal. The only driving force behind becoming a successful Mille Miglia mechanic is passion.”
Through extensive interviews, Kahane discovered a shared origin story among many of these mechanics: a love for repairing cars sparked in childhood, often inspired by a relative. “My great-grandfather was a mechanic… my father was a truck driver… my uncle had a workshop,” they told her. For those from the Brescia area, the connection to the Mille Miglia runs even deeper — the race is woven into their cultural DNA. Some international drivers even entrust their vintage cars year-round to Brescian workshops, knowing only they have the expertise and reverence to prepare them for the race.
“The mechanics – like myself as an artist – pursue their calling with a deep, almost sacred passion,” Kahane continued. “It’s been an honour to meet, photograph, and share the stories of these master mechanics. I hope the local community will join me in shining a long-overdue spotlight on these hidden heroes of the Mille Miglia.”
A Veteran’s Perspective: Donald Osborne
“There were only 24 editions of the original Mille Miglia, from 1927 to 1957,” noted Donald Osborne, “but its legacy has never faded. Today’s historic revival remains a gruelling challenge that demands exhaustive preparation, dedication, and stamina.”
Having participated in the Mille Miglia four times, Osborne speaks from experience. “Elizabeth has not only understood this deeply, but has brilliantly captured its essence through her photography. It’s not just about stunning vehicles in dramatic landscapes. It’s about the people. The ones who ensure that history lives on. Her work gives voice to those behind the scenes — the true heroes — without whom the stars of the show would never shine.”
“In her images, you don’t just see people — you feel them. You can smell the hot oil, the gasoline, the rubber. You sense the adrenaline, the urgency, and the love. These master mechanics give everything to keep automotive treasures alive, so they can still roar across the roads for which they were made, even decades after leaving the factory floor.”