Italy, 1983
I was born in Sicily, between the Ionian Sea and Etna, between the salt air and the black earth that sometimes falls like rain, more often than the rain itself.
Trained as an architect, I have been a photographer practically my whole life, and I don’t consider myself strictly tied to any photographic genre, but rather as a photographer of cities. Usually, the human figure is not essential in my shots. I often wait to be alone, because what I seek is space: the shell that contains everything.
Since I work almost exclusively with architecture and urban spaces, quoting Protagoras and his idea that “man is the measure of all things,” the presence of man is always at least implied. After all, man can be considered the “modulor” of the city, the unit of measurement.
My photographic research aims to make everyday places appear solemn. I want to give dignity to the city, without artifice, in the most authentic way possible. This is why I linger on forms rather than trying to capture the decisive moment.
My goal, in these throwaway times, is for the viewer to linger in front of my photograph much longer even if it depicts places that might seem devoid of interest. I enjoy leading the observer to look closely, to seek out and notice every detail.
I use both digital and analog systems interchangeably, adapting myself to whatever tool I have in hand. I consider myself extremely curious, and I like to research a place thoroughly before photographing it, almost to the point of obsession.