Abstract of the accomplished photographic work
This project was developed as part of “10 Journeys through Italian architecture”, in collaboration with MUFOCO and DGCC, with the aim of mapping and diffusing to a wide general public the awareness of post-war Italian architecture through photography. Between 2019 and 2020, I was assigned to document specific architectural works in Puglia, Basilicata, and Lombardia. During this time, I developed an instinct for finding ways to access rooftops to capture expansive landscape views (such as those of Centro BESTAT in Taranto) but also uncovered a deep appreciation for engaging with residents, which allowed me to document the intimate and personal dimensions of architecture by portraying their interiors—for instance, working with the owners of Casa Miggiano (designed by Umberto Riva). This project has been exhibited through generously sized prints – approximately 120x80cm – at the Triennale di Milano and the Museo Nazionale Romano.
Description of the project you intend to pursue through the Prize
I am applying for the Basilico Prize to produce a photographic essay titled Monumental Life exploring the relationship between visionary modern architecture and the human experience. Focusing on high-density modern housing projects (between 1950’s – 1970’s) in Italy and France—including Forte Quezzi in Genova, Monte Amiata in Milan, La Grande Motte in Montpellier and Bofil’s Abraxas in Paris—the project captures the tension between architectural grandeur and the intimate, everyday life of their inhabitants. The book will juxtapose large fold-out landscape vistas of the buildings with still-lives of interiors and inhabitants stories, offering an updated dialogue between architectural ambition and matter-of-fact everyday life. The Prize would be essential in supporting the production but also sharing its narrative with a wider audience, fostering dialogue about the delicate equilibrium between architecture and society.