Luca Zuccolo

What type of printing do you prefer?

I haven’t yet had the chance to try all the different types of prints with Newlab, but for my recent exhibition at the Hofburg in Vienna, I decided to use a canvas print; I chose it specifically, given the historic location’s wealth of antique interiors, because it’s the type of print that best blended with the space, evoking a painted style.

What comes first, the idea or the fascination with the material? In other words, does the artistic/photographic project come first, or is it inspired by techniques, particular processes, or images that strike you?

First came the idea, then the choice of material. Together with Giuliano, I was able to find a material suited to the quality of my photographs, one that could faithfully capture the colors and sharpness of the images.

Do you have any Masters you look up to and feel close to?

I generally draw inspiration from great historical artists, but right now the photographer who inspires me most is Andreas Gursky. I admit, however, that in the case of the aforementioned exhibition, I was inspired more by painters than photographers.

“Photography is a pushed, charged evidence, which seems to caricature not the figure it portrays (indeed, it is quite the opposite), but its very existence.” (R.Barthes_Camera Chiara)

In his recent project “Fino a quando” (Biss Wann? Till When?), exhibited at the Hofburg in Vienna, there are a succession of portraits of elderly passionate workers, custodians of ancient mountain professions, and the pristine snow-covered landscapes of the Alpe di Siusi.

This alternation creates a parallel between climate uncertainty, a current theme, and the transience of some ancient professions left without heirs.

Would you like to tell me how your fascination with this, to paraphrase Paul Virilio, “aesthetic of disappearance” was born, and whether you are also attracted to other types of aesthetics?

I think it’s a fascination that arose because as a child I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, people who always knew what they wanted, what their passions and reasons for living were. Without many career opportunities, future opportunities were few, and we had to quickly find the best way to survive.

I was struck by the tranquility and serenity of older people and sought a way to show the world what happiness looks like; at the same time, I think I’ve taken archive images, given that certain situations and professions will never return in this form (hence the concept of disappearance).

The photos of the snow, however, were chosen more for an aesthetic factor; considering myself a great minimalist, I find comfort in not seeing ‘mess’ and/or too much information in an image. Snowy landscapes are often, by their nature, minimalist and don’t feature much more than large white patches of different shapes. Even the snow disappears, unfortunately, and for this reason I decided to create an exhibition with two series of images. 

Future projects?

I have several projects that will most likely be made in 2024. Now the prints, as far as I’m concerned, will definitely be printed by Newlab.