L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 www.italoamericano.org 28 L'Italo-Americano SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY A s h i g h l i g h t e d i n t h e M a r c h 2 3 i s s u e o f L ' I t a l o - A m e r i c a n o , Insulae is an exhibit by Italian photographer Claudia Corrent on display at San Francisco's Italian Cultural Institute (ICI) from March 7 to April 7. Insulae (islands) is a photo- graphic project about the city of Venice and its territory, which investigates the relationship between place and identity. In pursuit of a fresh perspective on the visual topography of the c i t y , C o r r e n t d e v e l o p e d a n understated, pastel-toned gaze o v e r V e n i c e ' s l a g o o n a n d i s l a n d s . H e r f o c u s i s o n t h e small details and quiet moments of everyday Venetian life far removed from the standard rep- resentations of the city's tourist destinations. Born in 1980, Corrent is a freelance photographer based in Bolzano, Italy. After graduating in Philosophy at the University of Trento, she participated in a master class at the Fabrica com- munications research center in Treviso, Italy, and was selected to participate in a residency with Henry Gruyar, sponsored by Camera, the international center d e d i c a t e d t o p h o t o g r a p h y . Corrent was awarded the "Prix Festival City Enterprise 1000 Talents of Venezie" and her w o r k h a s b e e n e x h i b i t e d i n Milan, Rome, Lucca, Bolzano, Corigliano Calabro, Venezia, Genoa, Monopoli, Russia and Lecce. Her images have been published in Vanity Fair, Der S p i e g e l , D i e Z e i t , G i o i a , Courrier International, National G e o g r a p h i c , I l P o s t , a n d Corriere della Sera. L'Italo-Americano had the o p p o r t u n i t y t o s p e a k w i t h Corrent about her philosophy and her art. We asked her to describe the photographic pro- ject, Insulae. "I started this project some years ago, when I was research- i n g w h a t l i n k s t e r r i t o r y a n d identity, making an effort to a v o i d t h e s t e r e o t y p e s a n d c l i c h é s a t o w n l i k e V e n i c e inevitably offers. I mapped the territory of the laguna (lagoon) with its islands (Burano, Lido, San Erasmo, San Francesco del D e s e r t o , T o r c e l l o , a n d Pellestrina), in search of signs, urban icons, landscapes and people, all through a minimal view that lingers on small things and marginal objects." How did you decide on the title Insulae? " I n s u l a e m e a n s i s l a n d . Venice and its islands are sup- ported by the water. The island is both a physical place but is also a place of the soul, a con- ceptual representation and a place of shelter. With Insulae I tried to represent the landscape of the city of Venice and the insular reality. "The conceptual and basic d e s i g n o f m y p h o t o g r a p h i c works related to the landscape, is focused on research and map- ping of places. I find the concept of cultural landscape very inter- esting – the genius loci. I do u n d e r s t a n d t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p between people who inhabit the p l a c e s a n d t h e p l a c e s t h e m - s e l v e s . T h e q u e s t i o n s I a s k myself are always the same: Is there a form of recognition, of love between the people and places? Is there a correlation between the two? And, again, what is the sense of place?" What was your inspiration? "The inspirations are many and are linked to documentary p h o t o g r a p h y . I l o v e L u i g i Ghirri, Gabriele Basilico, and Guido Guidi, Italian photogra- phers who have investigated landscapes. Also, Steven Shore, William Eggleston, and Joel Sternfeld in CATHERINE ACCARDI INSULAE - The Ever yday Landscapes of Venezia whose art the banal, everyday urban and rural areas became important. Each object is worthy of interest." Y o u h a v e s t u d i e d P h i l o s o p h y . H o w d o e s t h a t study influence your photogra- phy? "My philosophical studies gave me a mindset that has led me to look at things with a criti- cal and curious eye. Filosofia (philosophy) is a wonderful dis- cipline, although it is often seen as of little value. It allows you to think about things in depth and so is a good basis for under- standing what is real, what you live, and what is happening. "Therefore, in this sense, phi- losophy gave me the theoretical tools to interpret reality. The images, for me, have always had a strength and immediacy that o t h e r m e a n s h a d n o t . Photography is a wonderful cul- t u r a l f o r m w i t h i t s o w n l a n - guage, with complex codes of interpretation." What brought your exhibit t o S a n F r a n c i s c o ' s I t a l i a n Cultural Institute? " O n e y e a r a g o , a n I t a l i a n online newspaper had published m y w o r k o n V e n i c e ( h t t p : / / www.ilpost.it/2016/03/03/venezi a - c l a u d i a - c o r r e n t ) . T h e S a n F r a n c i s c o I t a l i a n C u l t u r a l Institute director, Paolo Barlera, saw those pictures and asked me if I wanted to exhibit at the insti- t u t e i n S a n F r a n c i s c o . T h i s makes me reflect on the fact that the Web provides the opportuni- ty to show off your work to the other side of the world in a quick a n d i m m e d i a t e m a n n e r . I t i s crazy! I live in a small town in northern Italy and my exhibition o n V e n i c e c o m e s t o S a n Francisco! Interesting, is not it?" The use of pastels in your p h o t o g r a p h s i s u n i q u e a n d stunning. Why did you choose to highlight the pastel nature of the landscape and scenes? "Thank you so much! I chose to overexpose the images to give a more rarefied, suspended, per- sonal, and metaphysical sense." What are your future pro- jects? "I would like to make a his- t o r i c j o u r n e y o n t h e T r a n s - Siberian Railway. The Trans- Siberian Railway and the rail- w a y l i n e f r o m B e i j i n g t o Moscow, or from Moscow to Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan, is a railway line of over 9,000 kilometers that crosses a myriad of cultures, ethnic groups, land- scapes, architecture and lifestyle. Other projects would be to fol- low in the footsteps of Marco P o l o , o r p h o t o g r a p h t h e Mediterranean Sea following the trail of the Odyssey. I would love to photograph places so full of meaning." Canal scene in Burano. Photo: Claudia Corrent Italian Community Services provid Bay Area Italian-American seniors and famili with trusted rourc to help them live healthy, independent and productive liv. We are commied to honoring and prerving the Italian language and culture, with an emphasis on the strength and suort that com om family, community, education and goodwill. Casa Coloniale John F. Fugazi 678 Green Street San Francisco, CA 94133 415 •362 •6423 www.italiancs.com . . • Translation for seniors /new immigrants • Community service coordination • Information and referrals

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