FRANCESCO PAGLIA

Born in Emilia in 1983, after pursuing artistic studies and attending the photography course at the European Institute of Design in Milan, he has been devoted to photographic studies in an artistic setting since 2010. He has participated in individual and group exhibitions both in Italy and abroad. “An analogue-to-digital approach” is how he describes his relationship with photography. In his work he uses contemporary tools, sensors in place of emulsified film, computer screens as if they were light tables. He has been particularly influenced in his work by the geometric balance and eternity that can be seen in the shots of Mimmo Jodice, as well as the delicate, blurred visions of Hiroshi Sugimoto, the interpretation of shapes emerging from the works of Edward Weston, in addition to having been impressed by the conceptual work of Piero Manzoni, just to mention those who have most marked the evolution of his concept of aesthetics. Filtering reality through this aesthetic inspires considerations of contemporaneity, dealing with multiple topics with the technical interpretation that photography offers, passing from fundamentally narrative themes to observations of the society in which we live, the intention being to stimulate contemplation in the observer. “I consider photography the freest, most real and complete medium that summarizes the artistic evolution of humanity, summing up all the experiments and objectives in this field.” A summary that has inescapably changed society. “From the origin of the word ‘photo-graphy’, one can see that it comes from light, and light is also the key substance from which life comes and in fact photography translates the ‘voice’ of life, transforming it into images.” It can, for this reason, be defined as “the child of all art.” As a part of his working methodology, the presentation of his work is also very important, and he pays close attention to every aspect, from planning the shot to the printing and installation, in an attempt to involve more senses when the viewer is put into contact with his work. Francesco Paglia’s intention is to cross the threshold of today’s concept of photography, giving it a new reading.