Photography expo sheds light on Italian heritage

The best of classical Italian art captured on lens by three of the most important contemporary photographers of their generation is on show at “A Focus on Italian Heritage” exhibition which opened on Tuesday at Katara Cultural Village.

Olivier Roller, Camilla Borghese, and Riccardo Ajossa take a fresh look at iconic ancient Italian sculptures, architecture and paintings in this first-of-its-kind exhibition in Qatar presented by the Italian Embassy in cooperation with Katara and curated by Spazio Nuovo Roma.

“We organised this exhibition together with the Italian Embassy in Doha to present the best of Italian classical art revisited by three young photographers. This is the first time the three artists have been assembled in an exhibition which we did specially for Doha,” Paulo Perez Mouriz, Co-Director of Spazio Nuovo Roma, told local media at the exhibition launch.

Adorning the walls of Gallery 1 at Katara Building 19, a selection of 16 stunning photos in which each artist focused on specific aspects of their subjects provides art connoisseurs and enthusiasts a new alternative vista into the otherwise familiar works of art.

“Olivier Roller photographs the sculptures not to emphasise their beauty but show the character and personality of the emperors and figures portrayed in his photos,” explained Mouriz.

Specialising in architecture dating from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance period and the Baroque architecture in Rome, Borghese pays a lot of attention to natural Roman light in taking the photos and the exact time when a photograph was taken is indicated in each photo, according to Mouriz.

Ajossa, on the other hand, photographs some of the most beautiful Italian paintings reflected on the water of the sea of South Italy and plays on the idea of undulations of the sea, in doing so the paintings which are originally figurative turns into an utmost abstract piece of art with its reflection on the water.

While officially opening the exhibition, Italian Ambassador Pasquale Salzano, said the three artists share the same devotion to photography as their medium and the sublime Greco-Roman art as their subject. “What visually links their compositions is their aptness at highlighting and unveiling details and key elements of the subjects, so as to reveal the intrinsic and hidden meaning, that would have otherwise eluded comprehension at a first glance,” said Salzano.

The envoy stressed that “every art piece on show is a visual and emotional journey into the classical architecture, painting and sculpture which have made over the centuries and still make Italy a great source of inspiration and beauty highly admired around the world.”

He also underlined the important contribution of contemporary photography to cultural diplomacy being a potent tool to share cultural heritage and stimulating people’s feelings and ideas.

“In this regard, Italy and Qatar has the same vision. Both our countries are committed to preserve, promote and make their respective cultural heritage as much accessible as possible in order to encourage the inclusive development and dialogue between communities and generations, as it is also highlighted in the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Salzano.

“I am particularly proud that the increasing people-to-people contacts achieved through art and the more intense cultural exchanges have largely contributed to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Italy and Qatar,” he added.

The exhibition is open to the public until January 30.

By Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula

يقام حاليا في المؤسسة العامة للحي الثقافي “كتارا” في المبنى 19 معرض “إبراز التراث الإيطالي”، ويقدم المعرض رؤية فنية لثلاثة من الفنانين الإيطاليين للتعريف بجوانب مختلفة حول التراث الإيطالي.

ويضم المعرض الذي يستمر حتى 30 يناير الجاري 16 لوحة، لثلاثة فنانين هم: أوليفيير رولر، وكاميليا بورغيز، وريكاردو أجوسا، ويعد هذا المعرض أول تجمع لهؤلاء الفنانين الثلاثة الذين تجمعهم سمات فنية مشتركة، منها إتقانهم للتصوير الفوتوغرافي، وتفانيهم واهتمامهم بجماليات العالم اليوناني والروماني القديم، وتميزت أعمال الفنانين بتنوع موضوعاتها الفنية حيث تناولت النحت والتصميم المعماري والرسم، ويشترك الفنانون الثلاثة في اقتباسهم من الأساطير اليونانية والرومانية القديمة، وهي تلك الحضارات التي ألقت بظلالها على شكل الحضارة الغربية الحديثة حتى يومنا هذا.

واهتمت لوحات “رولر” بدراسة التفاصيل التكوينية المستخدمة في صناعة التماثيل الرومانية القديمة، والتي أراد منها كشف المعاني العميقة التي تبرز القوة البشرية، بينما تركز لوحات “بورغيز” على النمط الفريد للفن المعماري الروماني والصروح التي تزين مدينة روما القديمة، فيما يدرس الفنان أجوسا بعضا من أجزاء اللوحات من عصر النهضة الإيطالي ويعكسها على شكل موجات البحر الناعمة، وذلك لتفخيمها وتسليط الضوء على جاذبيتها اللونية.

وخلال افتتاح المعرض الليلة الماضية بحضور عدد من مسؤولي كتارا والمهتمين، أشاد سعادة السيد باسكوالي سالزانو سفير جمهورية إيطاليا لدى دولة قطر بالتعاون البناء مع الحي الثقافي والذي أثمر العديد من الفعاليات التي تعرف بالحضارة الإيطالية وتسلط الضوء على ثقافتها وفنونها المختلفة، مثمنا جهود كتارا الدائمة في تنويع فعالياتها وأنشطتها لتكون ملتقى تجتمع فيه الثقافات من كل أنحاء العالم، داعيا الجمهور لزيارة المعرض والتعرف على التراث الإيطالي.