What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
I recently released a series of photographs taken during a trip to Italy a couple of months ago, along with some everyday snapshots. I don't consider my work to be part of a series; that's not my intention, as I have diverse tastes and interests. However, some recurring themes do emerge: documentary photography, work, dreams, street photography, and landscapes.
What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
Each photograph has a specific timeframe; that is, sometimes people think that photography can be constantly "produced" in series, as if it were a mechanical process. If a musician, a painter, or a film director needs the necessary time for an idea to evolve and mature, it shouldn't be any different in the case of photography. At least, that's the reflection that has guided me for many years. There's no rush, no race, no competition. The time required varies greatly from person to person. I believe that just because photography is an immediate medium doesn't mean it should lack reflection and time. Thousands upon thousands of images are produced daily, and we reflect less and less on their content.
What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
Traveling while taking photographs is one of the things I enjoy most, whether it's to a nearby destination, the countryside, or more distant lands. Like in the poem of Ithaca: “When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of discovery.”
Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
My appreciation for the work of other authors has changed over the years; however, I believe that one of those who has had the greatest impact, for example, in film, is Jan Švankmajer. That blend of realism, humor, and fantasy, particularly in the films "Otik" and "Faust," is truly remarkable., They resonate in my work.
What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
Beyond the content of a particular subject or scene, I'm increasingly drawn to trying to decipher the mystery or secret that each photograph holds. I believe that the core of the photographs I take is the inner meaning that each subject represents for me.
What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
Focacceria Ponte Pietra, a tiny place in the heart of Verona, is a delightful surprise, reminding you that the best things are often simple. The focaccia and beer are a treat.
If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
“Light is like water,” in honor of one of my favorite stories, and I would like it to be accompanied by the mysterious and powerful music of György Ligeti.
Recommend us an artist you follow who inspires you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Carlo Zinelli, he is one of the leading figures of Art Brut. I've been fortunate enough to see some of his work on a few trips, and it's astonishing. I admire his use of color, the objects and characters that populate his imagination, and his ability to work under very precarious conditions with the most basic materials. The lyricism and freedom of Art Brut have been a guiding principle in my work.
I started taking photos in 2002, and years later, due to an interest in various art forms, I became mainly interested in painting, film, and literature.