With this exhibition, the artist begins a series of events to celebrate fifty years of work in photography. The inspiration for this first appointment, revealing a deep love for travel and literature, brings a collection of images focused on two locations in Lazio: the city of Fondi to the south and the legendary Mount Soratte north of Rome.

Starting from the title of a poetry collection by Libero de’ Libero, born in Fondi, called “Solstice,” the artist leads us through the plain of Fondi, where the poetry of Claudio Damiani — “the path of water. Walking in the plain of Fondi” — connects the Indo-European root AK, meaning “to bend,” linking water to pouring, flowing, bending downward — a movement that “marks the passage from matter to life” (Teilhard de Chardin).

The artist explains: “To photograph such a fantastic territory as Fondi, so beautifully celebrated by many poets, and in this case by the wonderful verses of Claudio Damiani, I could not resist inviting into my images, along with earth and water, two luxurious ladies: the moon and the night. My passion for moonlit nature photography comes from far away — a passion with an important pedigree.”

The images of Mount Soratte, captured in skillful black and white using the technique of expired film, inspired by Man Ray, were created to illustrate Claudio Damiani’s poetry book “Ode al Monte Soratte.” These are the trails the poet walks almost daily — his places of contemplation, the flora he knows in detail, and the panoramic views toward the Tiber and beyond, under a magnificent overcast sky that turned the landscape into an immense photographic studio.

The rigorous writings of Claudio Damiani accompanying the images “speak of a poetry that captures the essential value of life, human and otherwise — a poetry that uses every form to give body to living bodies, never straying from the core process of poetic creation...” (D. Matronola).

Photography increasingly becomes a way of commenting on the world — not merely describing places or passages, but a medium of creative expression that highlights the existential structure of life, transcending what was once the ‘everyday fact’ or the mere advertising tool. It becomes a vehicle for psychological exploration of the everyday, where humanity is often the center of interest and the image the point of reflection.

The creation

Photos of Mount Soratte

Created using the technique of expired film, already employed by the great American photographer Man Ray, since its deterioration is unrepeatable and makes each shot unique.

All photos are 29x29 cm printed on 30x40 cm paper; the poet Claudio Damiani handwrote verses on the remaining part of the rectangular sheet, so the complete artwork is considered 30x40 cm.

Photos of the Fondi territory

Created with a digital camera and processed in postproduction. Printed on chemical paper, 50x75 cm, guaranteeing over 100 years of durability, mounted on a 60x90 cm mat where the poet Claudio Damiani handwrote verses composed specifically for the book “Water Paths,” published by the Libero de’ Libero Association of the Municipality of Fondi. Thus, the complete artwork is considered 60x90 cm.

Born in Rome in 1958, the artist lives and works there.

He has collaborated with photo agencies such as Image Bank, Action Press, Granata Press, Grazia Neri, MaxPPP, and Luz Photo. For twelve years he was head of the Foreign section of the photographic office of “L’Espresso.” He has held over one hundred photo exhibitions in Italy, France, Hungary, Argentina, Cuba, the United States, Turkey, and Australia. He teaches architectural photography at the Experimental Center of Photography in Rome and collaborates with the newspaper “La Ragione.” He has also published several novels and poetry collections.