Serie 150m
Prelude, 18-Oct-2024: I always worry about mental blocks in my creative practice, and I'm sure many of you can relate! Studying the city, observing all the details, but seeing nothing in a space filled with stories is a bit of a challenge, isn't it? It comes and goes, and thankfully I've learned to deal with it. How long it lasts varies, but this current phase is approaching 1.5 years. I do sometimes manage to capture a photo worthy of paper, but then I find myself back in the city, camera strapped to my back, seeing nothing.
It's so lovely to share that during this current phase, there is one place within a radius of no more than 150 metres that has acted as an oasis for my creative practice. It's also becoming like a second studio in my life, where the only studio I've ever known was in Montreal. But when I leave it, the drought returns. One thing I learned rather late in my career, but that's really important to me, is to capture the stories of the everyday. The verb of photographing is just the tip of the iceberg – there's a lot more to it than that!
I bet you're wondering what this second studio is. Well, it could be anywhere or anything! It's been on my mind for a very long time, and I'm so excited to share it with you now.
Entry #1, 1-Nov-2024: I've always found that the best way to observe the slow transformation of a place is to start early in the morning. It's such a lovely way to start the day! As the sky turns and the light begins to generate warmth, I love walking around this oasis. I'm not here to photograph, so I just enjoy the moment and take it all in. The cobblestones laid before my feet are a lovely bonus! As I leave, this structure greets me and adds a spring to my step as I debate whether to turn left or right along the Corso.
It doesn't matter which way I go, I know I'll end up back here, and that's okay! First things first, I need to get my black and blue bin, which is where I keep my compost. And after I've given the bin a good clean and washed my hands, I then reach for the most important item in my camera bag – a delicious set of fresh cornetti that I picked up on my daily adventure! I then go back to this lovely little building, cornetti in hand, to visit my vicina for un caffè. As I sit in her kitchen, listening to the delicious aroma of the Moka, the trumpeted sounds of 3-wheel Ape enter as the dark liquid begins brewing. This is followed by stories about the cobblestones I have just walked, while my vicina answers my questions about the structures I have crossed paths with that day.
I just can't help but hum my version of a preschool song – Il caffè della Bettina, si beve alla mattina!
Entry #2, 1-Dec-2024: It's always a bit of a challenge when I step out of the shelter and into this gorgeous 150-metre radius oasis. There aren't many options, but the possibilities are endless! I think this is because the street-to-building height ratio is so intimate – it's like we're all on a little secret street!
It's so lovely to see how the sun funnels down to create cool, shady spots, contrasting with the heated highlights. I eventually decide on my route and, on this little adventure, I opted for the most direct path because I was late. But just a few metres away from the front door, the play of light and shadow stops me in my tracks. As I listened to the wind blowing through the buildings, I could hear the sound of footsteps echoing along the walls.
My instincts kicked in and before I knew it, my tripod was set up and my lines were aligned in my viewfinder. I decided to close my eyes and listen for the sound of an approaching pedestrian, wondering who it might be. Before long, a voice in the dialect of my childhood, "Mericano, they are waiting for you!" I didn't even have to open my eyes! I know that voice well, as we often cross paths on our regular passeggiata.
As he stepped into the light, I seized my chance, grabbed a frame and then quickly packed up. I ran after him, shouting, aspettami! Oh, how he moves fast! But as I caught up, we then walked towards my destination. I quickly forgot why I was rushing as I listened to him recount stories of generations past.
Entry #3, 1-Jan-2025: I've passed this gate many times, but I've never had the chance to stop and take a closer look before now. I guess I never really noticed it before, but I've always been curious about what might be behind it. A few days before I took this photo, I was out on an errand and I got lucky! The gate opened by chance. Guess what? The lovely folks who lived there were giving it a fresh coat of paint! The new colour really made the gold hardware on the door stand out, and it made me want to sneak a peek at the courtyard. Ma che belleza!
Fast forward to today, I forced myself to go into the oasis with a heavy heart, knowing that my time was fleeting. The sky was tugging between light and dark, reflecting my mood. But then, the sun came out and shone on the door, which suddenly looked so welcoming!
I took my zaino off and started setting up for the scene that was about to play out. Just then, a vehicle cut into my field of view. Without thinking, I was looking through my viewfinder, waiting for the perfect moment. And then, Tombola! I think I captured something, but even before I could take it all in, I was already packed up and back on the road, wondering how to make the most of the little time left.
Entry #4, 1-Feb-2025: Probably one of my favourite forks in this 150 metre Oacis is right here. It also marks an area that has become very familiar to me with each venture into its core. Behind me is a house that I have had the pleasure of entering on several occasions to admire the treasures left behind. Down the slope to the right is a tiny clearing where, when the wind is just right, the sound of youthful play of the past can be heard (a thought that weighs heavily at the moment). From here, in the months of the mezzogirono, a bird's eye view reveals a roof decorated with tomatoes baking in the sun. Oh, how I can taste them as I stare at the grains of salt shining like stones. Down to the left, well I will keep those turns for another day. But what I really want to share is house number 12, a forgotten humble flatiron. Well, it is not a flatiron in the strictest sense of the word, but the way the lines play out in the surroundings, it takes on those qualities for me. I have often wondered what is behind the door. That wonder is probably why I can't get enough of looking at it. Unfortunately, I have not yet ventured beyond the threshold, but each time I visit, I dream that the door will open, and perhaps one day it will. The last time our paths crossed, a local invited me to ask questions, and together we walked along the sloping elevations, where I listened to how the space was divided up inside. Occasionally someone visits it, but it's rare, but perhaps the next time our paths cross I will be able to enter a structure that has welcomed me for as long as I can remember.
Entry #5, 1-Mar-2025: I'm writing this now when my creativity è perso. I normally like it when I'm lost, because it gives me a chance to stop, look and think. It's almost like the two people in this photo, who I don't know and probably couldn't see me either. Even though I'm il Mericano with the tripod. I do know they're here for la festa, and il pullman that brought them dropped them off far from their destination. But they're still exploring, con il cuore aperto, as they stroll along the Via, which winds down from the main Corso. I just love how this path curves its way to the edge of the historic core. And at sunrise or sunset, its form delicately funnels light through like una torcia. Illuminating new details as the sun moves along its path. There's also something else about this area of the oasis that I'm really intrigued by, I'll save that for next month. But I know you are reading the visual content carefully, so I'm sure you'll have an idea of what's coming up.
I'll gently take my leave for now, and I'm really looking forward to seeing you again next month.
Entry #6, 1-Apr-2025: Continuing from last month's photo, this little alleyway is one of my favourite shortcuts. It connects two streets and opens up in the middle to the sky, like a little atrium to the houses above. I've taken so many photos here, but this one is really special to me. And the reason for that is because of il bello ragazzo who stepped into the frame. He has a few nicknames, but his real name is so beautiful it rolls off the tongue. Ma for this entry, I will call him Fra, which is fitting as he calls me Beppe (a playful and affectionate alternative to Giuseppe). But enough about soprannomi. Fra and I see each other mostly nella piazza above where I reside when I am in the 150m radius oasis. This particular morning, he was heading back up from Tre Fontane. I have a little morning ritual of setting up under the arch, waiting. I only see a little bit of the area around me, just enough to get a sense of how life is unfolding. Suddenly, footsteps break the silence, followed by me jumping to attention... click. Then Fra called out, "Beppe!" I might have been invisible to most people, but Fra could see me. He's always on the lookout for this Mericano. I am really looking forward to our next cornetto and café Fra, which I hope will be soon!
Entry #7, 1-May-2025: During my recent forays into this 150m radius oasis, a few have asked me to document interiors that are important to them. Having mostly been on the outside looking in, I've jumped at every opportunity. I am glad for this, as the interior shown here is part of my fabric. On this particular morning, as the radius awakes, I quickly sensed the dynamics that once existed. Looking out through the balcony door at the elevation. I remember a time when this neighbouring building was near ruins. And since, I have witnessed its restoration. But this particular frame has a deeper layer. From the stories I have heard, a young couple stands out on the balcony to find their figlio playing happily in the via in his abito. He wasn't the only one, but the difference was that his genitori had a bird's eye view. Nicola, torna dentro! If not ti mando a Pizzo! Now I get it, not a bad way to go!
As I write this, I quietly count the days till the door closes on me. Ma questa scena rimarrà per sempre.