A Photographic Portrait of a Decade through the Lens of Nino Migliori.
Nino Migliori is a prominent figure in the world of photography, renowned for his mastery in capturing extraordinary images and his innovative spirit.
His career spans over seven decades, during which he has contributed to redefining the concept of artistic photography.
Through his unique vision, experimentation, and passion, Migliori has left an indelible mark on the history of photographic art.
Born in 1926 in Bologna, Nino Migliori began cultivating his passion for photography during his adolescence, using the camera he inherited from his father.
During World War II, he documented daily life in his hometown, capturing images that testify to the impact of the war on society and the individual.
His early shots show a particular attention to Neorealist photography, with a keen focus on sequential storytelling.
In addition to Neorealism, Migliori also ventured into informal photography, conducting in-depth research that led him to experiment with various materials and techniques. Through his experimentation, the artist connected with the lessons of historical avant-gardes, particularly the ironic and irreverent spirit of the Futurists.
The significant turning point in Migliori's career came in the 1960s when his work assumed conceptual significance.
In Migliori's work, photography is not just a document but a true work of art born from careful study of space and the power of the image.
From this moment, he demystifies "the beautiful" and emphasizes the non-mechanical nature of the photographic document: a position of strong civic engagement that takes on an ethical connotation both in defending photographic heritage against commodification and in the intense educational activity that accompanied his artistic production.
One of Nino Migliori's most famous projects is "L'Atlante dei segni" (The Atlas of Signs), an extraordinary work that explores the relationship between the human body and the surrounding space.
In this work, he combined photography with painting and drawing, superimposing images of human bodies onto objects and urban environments.
The result is a series of photographs that challenge traditional perceptions of reality and invite the viewer to reflect on the complexity of human existence.
Nino Migliori's career has been celebrated with numerous awards and recognitions, including the Nadar Prize in 1957 and the Culture Award from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in 2005.
Nino Migliori's legacy in the field of artistic photography is immense.
His dedication to innovation and experimentation has inspired entire generations of photographers, encouraging them to explore new ways of expressing their creativity. His need to forge new paths led him to "invent" unconventional tools, such as the kaleidoscope for Dreamhair portraits (2005), the stick for reading New York from below (2005), and the helmet that supports two cameras for a double shot (2005).
His unique vision and commitment to art have helped break down barriers and push the boundaries of photography, transforming it into a medium increasingly recognized as a form of art.
THE EXHIBITION
Started June 18th, "SEVENTY," an exciting monographic exhibition, will open to the public at the M77 Gallery, showcasing the diverse photographic production of the 1970s by the renowned Bolognese photographer Nino Migliori.
This project is realized in collaboration with the Nino Migliori Foundation, which the gallery has represented internationally since 2017.
"SEVENTY" not only evokes the decade in which all the works were created but also pays homage to Nino Migliori's over seventy years of extraordinary artistic production. The exhibition offers an in-depth look at the period that saw the artist deeply engaged in fundamental reflections on photography as a means of expression.
Emphasizing its profoundly experimental nature, the exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the vast output of one of the most influential masters of 20th-century European photography, presenting dozens of shots, many of which are previously unseen vintage works.
The photographs on display, although very different from each other in subject and theme, remain profoundly cohesive in their broader artistic vision.
The Exhibition Path
The exhibition path opens with evocative reflections on Nature ("Herbarium") and urban life ("Muri," "Manifesti Strappati").
Through Migliori's sensitive eye, these themes become powerful witnesses to the mutability of time and the transience of human experience.
The journey continues with an exploration of the photographic material itself—an essential element of Migliori's work since his beginnings in the 1940s.
This is explored through studies on light ("Lucigrafie," "Polarigrammi") and experiments on perception and materiality, often interpreted as traces of social change ("Natura Morta," "Sesso Kitsch," "Sequenze TV").
Finally, the exhibition concludes with works characterized by a more explicitly and formally 'conceptual' approach ("In immagin abile," "Segnificazione") and, at times, performative ("SuPerDaCon").
Themes and Vision
Invariably irreverent yet never indiscreet, Migliori is an attentive and analytical observer with a keen perceptual sensitivity.
"SEVENTY" presents a Nino Migliori beyond his renowned Neorealism.
For Migliori, photography is—and continues to be—a subject of deep fascination. Through his lens, we rediscover its infinite potential and nuances.
Exhibition Details
The exhibition, accompanied by a catalog published by M77 with an introductory text by historian and art critic Ascanio Kurkumelis, will be open from June 18 to September 21, 2024, at M77 Gallery, located at Via Mecenate 77.
It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 AM to 7 PM.
For more information, visit M77 Gallery.
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