Photography in Italy Summer 2017

Italy itself – its cities and beaches – are the main attraction during the summer months. However, when the heavy heat gets unbearable, one can always take refuge in the cultural relief found at photography exhibits and festivals.

Here are some of our favorite picks this Summer:

Photographer: Andrea Frazzetta. Courtesy of cortonaonthemove.com.
  • Cortona on the Move Festival. CORTONA, TUSCANY.
    • As a festival of photography now in its seventh year, Cortona on the Move aims to learn from international photographers and influencers of “new visions and concepts.” The festival desires to be a “dynamic showcase of contemporary photography” that inspires others to be more flexible in their interpretations and concepts of the future.
    • Open from July 13 through October 2 at the Associazione culturale OnTheMove in Cortona.
Paul Newman. Courtesy of John Kobal Foundation
  • Hollywood Icons, courtesy of the John Kobal Foundation. ROME.
    • This exhibit is a presentation of 161 portraits of the most famous celebrities in cinema history. It includes photographs of Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Sophia Loren, Clark Gable and many others.
    • Open from June 24 through September 17 at the Palazzo delle Espozioni in Rome.
Courtesy of peterlindbergh.com
  • Peter Lindberg. A Different Vision on Fashion Photography. TURIN.
    • This exhibition displays 220 of Lindberg’s best pieces. After revolutionizing the art of fashion photography with his distinct style, Lindberg notably has shot both Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.
    • This show is open for a longer period of time from October 7 through January 7 at La Venaria Reale in Turin.
Photographer: Timothy Allen. Courtesy of art-vibes.com
  • Siena Art Photo Travel Festival. SIENA, TUSCANY.
    • Siena hosts a month-long photography festival that includes tours of Siena, workshops and courses, conferences and a “Beyond the Lens” exhibition. This showcases the most stunning photographs for the contest Siena International Photo Awards.
    • Open from October 28 through November 30 in Siena.
Courtesy of wsimag.com
  • Henri Cartier Bresson. SAN GIMIGNANO, TUSCANY.
    • As an exhibition with 140 photographs, Bresson aims to capture the simultaneity of life. His photography pays tribute to his perception of life which concentrates on the accuracy of order forms and the intricacies that take place in that exact photographic moment.
    • Open from June 16 through October 15  at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea “Raffaele De Grada” in San Gimignano, Tuscany.
Courtesy of palazzoducale.genova.it
  • Vivian Maier. GENOA, LIGURIA.
    • This is a display of 120 photographs, mostly in black and white, that depict America’s story after the war in a very candid and not-posed style. Maier’s talent is in photographing subjects where the subject’s gaze is somewhat interacted with the camera, but is still very much detached and alone. He photographed real women, workers, elderly and children.
    • Open from June 23 through October 8 at the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa, Liguria.
Photographer: Ulrike Ottinger. Courtesy of museion.it
  • Diane Arbus, Nan Goldin, Ulrike Ottinger, Cindy Sherman. BOLZANO, TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE.
    • This is a photographic collection by four artists from the Sammlung Goetz in Monaco. Their photographs tackle issues and questions relating to identity, otherness, staging of the body and themselves, and sharing intimate life.
    • Open from March 23 through September 17 at Museion in Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige.
Courtesy of treoci.org
  • David LaPachelle. VENICE.
    • This exhibition, entitled Lost + Found, follows LaPachelle’s journey as a photographer. A progression is seen from his initial black and white photographs of the 90’s to his eventual explosion of color and depiction of the human figure, heaven, nature and the soul. The more recent colored works have become iconic and brought LaPachelle praise and criticism.
    • Open from April 12 through September 10 at the Casa dei Tre Oci in Venice.
Photographer: Francesco Zizola. Courtesy of facebook.com/ragusa.fotofestival
  • Ragusa Photo Festival. RAGUSA, SICILY.
    • This sixth edition of the photo festival is called “The Metamorphosis of the Territory.” This year’s photos aim to capture and show with utmost accuracy and bluntness the harsh realities of climate change and the damaging effects of contemporary lifestyles. It is intended to instill the urgency of complete global action.
    • Open from June 30 through July 30 in the heart of the town of Ragusa.
Bolivia in 1986 by Scianna. Courtesy of http://mostredifotografia.it
  • Ferdinando Scianna, Moments of Places. MILAN.
    • Similar to an album of his travels, this exhibit showcases 50 black and white photographs of the landscapes from his native Sicily to the Ivory Coast, to South America, and even Russia.
    • Open from April 21 through July 30 at the Forma Meravigli in Milan.
Courtesy of www.guidaturisticaromagna.it
  • Elliott Erwitt, Kolor. GENOA.
    • This exhibition includes around 135 photographs of intense color as the main technique. If you have seen any of his previous black and white works, this exhibit is a special treat and immense departure from the safety of what is known. Erwitt, a renowned and celebrated photographer, now has his first major retrospective of color photography being displayed at the Palazzo Ducale.
    • Open from February 11 through July 16 at the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa.