I had not even finished seeing the exhibition and was already eager to do pictures like those from Francesca Woodman; I even knew the location, the corner of my bedroom with the radiator and the wooden floor. On that night, and on the following days I went through a photographic journey that produced the images seen below.
Francesca’s work provoked me a melancholic reaction and in the first set of photos, I’ve tried to reproduce this feeling. in these pictures my face is not shown – hidden, covered, concealed – one of the key characteristics of her work. I tried to merge with the environment using the movement, producing a blurring effect on the face and body. To enhance this merging effect I’ve set the camera for high sensibility, causing the grainy appearance.
This series is basically on black and white, as a direct influence from Francesca’s work. As I was taking the pictures during the night time, I used a light source that caused an interesting effect that also enhanced the contours. This was an error, if an direct comparison with Francesca’s original work is to be made, a friend of mine suggested. I have to thank Emanuele Camisassa for inviting me to the exhibition, for helping me think about the work I’ve done and also for persuading me to write this text that tells the evolution of my own pictures.
The morning after I produced a photo that directly relates to one from the exhibition, but with my personal presentation – lightly coloured, instead of the original black and white.
My “voglia” (the Italian for will) was not satisfied yet so I’ve also produced the series below (already considering Emanuele’s comments) but now with the presence of the face and also exploring the double – triple, quadruple – exposure as a way to merge the body and the environment.
Since the first series, I was wearing only a shirt, and sometimes not even that – I was undressing voluntarily, opening myself to the experience without shame. I also used a mask – as Francesca sometimes did – creating a faceless, and a slightly bizarre, character. Almost all of these pictures are black and white but with coloured ones, these last with an altered colour tone.
On the last series I used my 50 mm lens, which I love for creating an interesting lighting effect. Here I explored, not only the double exposure, but also my Milanese house’s doors as scenic elements. The empty chair, refers to an unoccupied place, that is not completely shown. These pictures are mostly coloured.
At the end the “voglia” I was satisfied. My first artistic productive journey – with a theme as far as possible derived from my previous work – as concluded. My artist’s ego was satisfied with the beautiful and interesting result of my labour. I finish the experience somehow changed and in a certain way evolved.
PS.: The slideshow and gallery with all the pictures taken is here.
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