For a number of years, the Daily Images of the barganews award winning photographer O’Connor who has been busily snapping images on a daily basis and publishing them on this site over the past decade and more have also been showing on a monitor in the barganews office.

They are on a slide show which runs in the window 24 hours a day, 7 days a week BUT the images are only on screen for a few seconds before the next one arrives, when that too is replaced by another. The speed at which they change is set fast because it fits closer to his idea that to get a good overall view of just what life is like in Barga you need a series of images and not just one set up, perfect image.

Unfortunately this means that if you like an image and want to see it again, you have to wait for it to come round again. Hence the waiting.

So, as we are coming up to the end of the year, how about a little experiment for the giornaledibarganews readers? All of the Daily Images from O’Connor from the start of the year until today, all in quick succession and compacted into less than 4 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZwwYdgAraA

Ogni giorno Keane sceglie una foto tra tutte quelle scattate nelle ventiquattro ore e la consacra “immagine del giorno” pubblicandola sulla pagina Daily Images di giornaledibarganews.com

Un particolare, un panorama, un volto, un’azione raccontano cosa accade a Barga giorno per giorno, durante l’anno; i più affezionati sanno anche che tutte le immagini scorrono continuamente su un monitor nella biblioteca di Barganews in Piazza Angelio e che ad ogni ora è possibile rivedere come in un flusso quello che l’obiettivo di Keane ha catturato durante la giornata e nei giorni precedenti.

Ma perché non comprimere 365 giorni di scatti fotografici in un unico documento, una sorta di cortometraggio per immagini che racconti le stagioni, gli eventi, le persone che durante l’anno hanno attraversato Barga?

Questo è quello che deve aver pensato Keane, che in questi giorni ha confezionato un video che in appena quattro minuti contiene tutto quello che serve per ripercorrere la quotidianità dell’anno appena trascorso.
Vedere per credere…

2° Classificato: Vaso di Pandora di Stefano Tommasi

3° Classificato: Vaso di Pandora di Andrea Caproni Verde Natura

I vincitori potranno passare in negozio a ritirare il premio. Ringraziamo tutti i partecipanti, è stata una esperienza bellissima, di condivisione, con passione ed entusiasmo ci avete regalato un pezzetto della vostra creatività. Un’esperimento da ripetere al più presto!! GRAZIE!! Le opere in finale sono esposte in negozio, Piazza Angelio, Barga. Venite a trovarci!

Abbiamo deciso di premiare i nostri fan più creativi che si cimenteranno sul tema il “Vaso di Pandora”. Dovete solo inviarci una foto scattata da voi, ispirata al “Vaso di Pandora.” Le opere verranno inserita nell’album “concorso fotografico Vaso di Pandora 2011” sulla pagina ufficiale del nostro negozio (la trovate qui), dove potranno essere votate. Le fotografie che si distingueranno per numero di “mi piace” passeranno alla fase finale del concorso e saranno esposte presso il Vaso di Pandora Concept Store. Saranno premiate tre opere tra le finaliste.

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Primo premio: DIANA DELUXE KIT
Secondo premio: SPROCKET ROCKET
Terzo premio: SARDINA

All images sent in for this competition can be seen here

This  month she was out and about in her native Garfagnana capturing some of the special light and images that could be found as this long Autumn gradually merges and is transformed in Winter.

Sit back and enjoy her images

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The town is renowned for the band Filarmonica Alpina, founded in 1858 with the name of Fanfara popolare.

The origin of the town dates back to a Roman castra, called Castrum Leonis, (“Lion’s Castle”), built to command the valley that leads to the San Pellegrino Pass, the easiest access for armies over the Apennines. The fortress later developed under the Lombard and Frank dominations.

In 1170 it was besieged by the Republic of Lucca. Castiglione surrendered, but the high taxes led the city to form a league with others communes of Garfagnana against Lucca.

In 1227 Castiglione was again besieged and suffered further destruction by Lucchese soldiers. Political conflicts continued in the following years, until a peace was stipulated in 1371: Lucca gained definitive control of Castiglione, and established a permanent administrator. The defensive structure was upgraded with the widening of the town walls.

During the 15th century Castiglione was one of the few communities in Garfagnana that did not submit to the Este family, remaining loyal to the Republic of Lucca. Throughout the wars against Estensi, the fortress was again besieged, in particular in 1603 and 1613. There then followed a long period of peace, marred only by controversies for boundary questions with the neighbouring communes.

The Congress of Vienna (1815) assigned Castiglione to Marie Louise of Bourbon, Grand Duchess of Lucca, who in 1819 gave it to Francis IV of Modena.

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Main sights

Castiglione’s most striking attraction is the Medieval bridge built by Spinetta Malaspina in the 13th century. The city is also famous for its well-preserved 13th-century medieval walls with large towers (the Torrioni) and the castle (Rocca).

The church of San Pietro was erected in 723 by two Lombard brothers, Aurinand and Gudifrid, but was largely rebuilt in the 12th century by Bishop Guido III of Lucca. San Michele (14th century) is the other main holy edifice of the town. Both churches use wall towers as their belfries.

The Church of San Pellegrino, site at 1,400 m and commanding the valley of the Serchio river, houses the mortal remains of St. Pellegrino and St. Bianco.

The town has a panoramic vista over the valley below. – source – Wikipedia

He might have a long wait to photograph it the next time as NASA reports that the last time these astronomical events took place in sync was on Dec. 21, 1638, and it won’t happen again until at least 2094.

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Nasa has a live webcam pointing at the moon, with luck we might be able to see something there – if not how about a site in Chile – here

Oggi sarà il giorno più buio da quattrocento anni. Accade per una particolare “coincidenza astrale”, di quelle che si verificano una o due volte al millennio, e di cui se ne perde la memoria finché non ricapita di nuovo: un’eclisse di Luna in coincidenza con il solstizio d’inverno.

“Un fenomeno davvero eccezionale, che dall’anno 1 dopo Cristo ad oggi è capitato una volta sola, il 21 dicembre 1638″, spiega Geoff Chester dell’Osservatorio Navale degli Stati Uniti. “Per fortuna – sorride l’astronomo – non dovremo aspettare altrettanto per osservarne un altro identico, perché ricapiterà il 21 dicembre del 2094″.

View across Barga Giardino from the terrace of the Mayor's office in Barga Vecchia

More images of Barga in the snow courtesy of the barganews award winning photographer O’Connor

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So, as we are coming up to the end of the year, how about a little experiment for the barganews readers? All of the Daily Images from O’Connor from the start of the year until today, all in quick succession and compacted into just 4 minutes.

As an added treat, what could be a better sound track than one of the cities  from Andrea Guzzoletti — Invisible Cities, the music project that has been gradually evolving for the past three years which finally moved into its finished state and was released to the public on line on itunes and Amazon earlier on this year and is available in local shops from last week onwards for people living in this area and not wishing to buy on line. It can now be found at Edicola dal Mario in Barga Vecchia, Edicola in Barga Giardino, Bottega della musica at Fornaci, Tony Records in Castelnuovo and Telerecord in Lucca.

If you want to check up on just how the images of O’Connor have changed  over the years  – some of his old images dating back to 2000 can be seen here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxQsXI-5oDI

In September Hamish was made a Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photographers – a remarkable feat for a recent graduate – and he has also become an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society. This week, one of his images graced the cover of the prestigious i-on magazine and he  has just appeared on the BBC New Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman talking about the photographer Paolo Roversi – an excerpt from that radio program can be heard by clicking on the link below:

hamish_bbc_radio2_2dec2010

This morning comes news that not only is he reaping his rewards but is about to share them out as well. Hamish moved from his native Scotland to Barga and has been steadily building up a large and comprehensive body of work which focuses on the city and its inhabitants over the past few years. Now it would appear that he will be launching a new photography school here in Barga in the new year that will run through the summer months with expert tuition from not just Hamish but also other professional photographers from the British Institute of Professional Photographers and Royal Photographic Society.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH61fXgiPdA

Paolo Roversi talking about some of his recent work

“Completing my masters degree was a real journey for me. I found out that it wasn’t all about photography; in fact it was far more about philosophy. It opened many doors and allowed me the opportunity and the space to start thinking laterally”

From the barganews archives  – This week he was back in the area photographing two models using Barga Vecchia as his backdrop. We caught up with him just outside the Casa Cordati using the large pink facade of the centuries old palazzo as a perfect complimentary colour to the green dress of one of his models.

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The two girls spotted in Barga Vecchia on Friday evening were not professional models. They were local schoolgirls Sonia Orsucci and Mariella Ciniglio! These two beautiful young ladies were kind enough to model for professional photographer Hamish Scott-Brown who is at present collating a body of work based on eco fashion and the Scottish- Italian connection. Hamish’s wife Fiona is responsible for sourcing the gowns from sustainable outlets, styling and make-up.

Hamish says that the girls are simply beautiful. Natural and poised with an elegance and sophistication rarely found in such young subjects, the girls take instruction extremely well and are responsive to the photographers direction. In addition the girls appreciate the detail involved in the shoot and work hard to help Hamish achieve results.

Fiona states that the girls have a freshness which is very becoming in contemporary fashion photography and an instinctive aptitude for modelling.

Hamish specialises in portraiture, boudoir, model folios and ‘trash the dress’ shoots.

Artist’s Statement.

International award winning photographer Hamish Scott -Brown is an outstanding contemporary photographer operating at the cutting edge of the industry. His inimitable approach secures his place as a leading exponent and digital artist who provides images of the highest quality and style

Hamish trained originally at the prestigious Bournemouth and Poole College of Art where he studied photography along with so many other great British talents like Turner prize winner Wolfgang Tillmans and world renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight. Recognised by his tutors as an outstanding student, he went on to work as an assistant to names like Tony McGee and John Swannell before operating as a freelance photographer, graduating as a teacher from Strathclyde University and finally securing a post as a Principal University Lecturer.

Progressing education through technology, Hamish also worked with organisations such as The BBC, Channel 4 television and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London developing learning through technology.

Hamish recently completed his Post Graduate MA studies in Photography and his subjects for study were mostly found here in Tuscany. Hamish spent many months researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums in the region here and further afield in Germany.

His studies invite the viewer to interpret traces of dwelling, being or Dasein and to speculate on the isolation, the loneliness and the incarceration. The closure of these institutions is infused into their very atmosphere. These places were home to many poor souls designated mad or simply less able.Empty emotionally charged spaces, have in some cases, been violated by other inquisitors eager to get a closer look on the remnants of previous habitation.

I want to share with the viewer an opportunity to reflect on these institutions and also, to witness those traces which evidence attempts to build a normal community.Within my images you will find not only bars on windows, heavy doors, disability and isolation, but also communal recreation areas.

The question is, as a viewer, do you look in at these images and see yourself as “The Other”? There were many who inhabited the same space, carers, doctors, visitors and patients?

As you look at the images and venture into this forgotten place, which subject do you become ? Carer or Cared For?” – Hamish Scott-Brown

Hamish’s beautiful book “Manicomio” is published here http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1035531

For some, treasured possessions can be mobilised from one space to another and ‘home’ can be quickly re-established in a different time and space.
For others, material possessions have little value.
Familiar sights, sounds and memories permeate the very fabric of existence from birth to death and, confined within a discreet space, cosseted from the elements, such a space (and no other) may well become “Home”.
As I realised how fortunate in life I have been with all the comforts of a secure loving home, I began to think about those souls who were often institutionalised for no greater sin than being less able or perhaps plagued by mental illness. I searched out a number of locations within travelling distance of my home and beyond.
Manicomio is a series of images taken inside a number of abandoned mental asylums. These eerie desolate and derelict buildings are most often spread across a fair acreage of quiet rural countryside. Built sufficiently out of the way to ease the social conscience, traces of former inhabitants remain both inside and externally in the grounds. Some poor souls remained in locked rooms or wards –‘for their own safety’ while others may have been afforded the luxury of walking out of doors in a secure, permitted area. Many of these people were abandoned and forgotten. These ‘skeletons in the cupboard’ often lived a whole lifetime and died in an asylum which was the only home they had ever really known.
The book is dedicated to those forgotten residents of such institutions and also to those ghosts who remain visible and invisible in the cold interiors and shifting gauzy light. – – Hamish Scott-Brown

………. along with his first publication “The Natural Harmonics of Home & Space” also available to view here

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/536057

In September Hamish was made a Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photographers – a remarkable feat for a recent graduate – and he has also become an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society. In December, one of his images will be gracing the cover of the prestigious i-on magazine and he will be appearing on The New Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman.

Hamish originally studied photography at the Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and operated as a freelance photographer for a time before graduating as a teacher and subsequently securing a post as a principal university lecturer. He was engaged in progressing education through technology, and worked with organisations such as The BBC, Channel 4 television and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

But eventually he decided to take a leap of faith and return to his primary passion – photography. Enrolling on the MA Photography course at University of Cumbria wasn’t an easy decision and it had to be completed whilst holding down a full-time job. Of his time at the university, Hamish says:

“Completing my masters degree was a real journey for me. I found out that it wasn’t all about photography; in fact it was far more about philosophy. It opened many doors and allowed me the opportunity and the space to start thinking laterally”.

The subjects for his postgraduate study were mostly found in Tuscany – another of Hamish’s passions. He spent many months researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums in Italy and Germany. His images of these empty, emotionally charged spaces, have now been published in an amazing and haunting book entitled ‘Manicomio’.

Dr Fiona Powley, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Business and Science at the University of Cumbria says:

“There is no doubt that Hamish is a remarkable talent. The rapidly advancing technology of the digital camera means that everyone can have access to potentially high quality photography these days, but it is only when you see images from artists such as Hamish that you realise the impact that such outstanding work in this medium can have”.

The photographer Hamish Scott-Brown is back working in Barga. We have been following his work as he has been taking images in and around Barga for a number of years now. Hamish Scott-Brown moved from his native Scotland to Barga and has been steadily building up a large and comprehensive body of work which focuses on the city and its inhabitants.

We published some of his work back in 2008 – (article here) The images were part of a continuing project which he was calling a visual phenomenological research exploring ‘home’ and what we consider ‘homeliness’” and was for his MA in photography at the University of Cumbria in the UK.

The following year 2009, he had changed the thrust of the work and was concentrating on night images of houses and dwellings (article here)

This year the emphasis moved once again and instead he started researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums.

This week he was back in the area photographing two models using Barga Vecchia as his backdrop. We caught up with him just outside the Casa Cordati using the large pink facade of the centuries old palazzo as a perfect complimentary colour to the green dress of one of his models.

[View with PicLens]

No…….. the two girls spotted in Barga Vecchia on Friday evening were not professional models! They were local schoolgirls Sonia Orsucci and Mariella Ciniglio! These two beautiful young ladies were kind enough to model for professional photographer Hamish Scott-Brown who is at present collating a body of work based on eco fashion and the Scottish- Italian connection. Hamish’s wife Fiona is responsible for sourcing the gowns from sustainable outlets, styling and make-up.

Hamish says that the girls are simply beautiful. Natural and poised with an elegance and sophistication rarely found in such young subjects, the girls take instruction extremely well and are responsive to the photographers direction. In addition the girls appreciate the detail involved in the shoot and work hard to help Hamish achieve results.

Fiona states that the girls have a freshness which is very becoming in contemporary fashion photography and an instinctive aptitude for modelling.

Hamish specialises in portraiture, boudoir, model folios and ‘trash the dress’ shoots.

Artist’s Statement.

International award winning photographer Hamish Scott -Brown is an outstanding contemporary photographer operating at the cutting edge of the industry. His inimitable approach secures his place as a leading exponent and digital artist who provides images of the highest quality and style

Hamish trained originally at the prestigious Bournemouth and Poole College of Art where he studied photography along with so many other great British talents like Turner prize winner Wolfgang Tillmans and world renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight. Recognised by his tutors as an outstanding student, he went on to work as an assistant to names like Tony McGee and John Swannell before operating as a freelance photographer, graduating as a teacher from Strathclyde University and finally securing a post as a Principal University Lecturer.

Progressing education through technology, Hamish also worked with organisations such as The BBC, Channel 4 television and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London developing learning through technology.

Hamish recently completed his Post Graduate MA studies in Photography and his subjects for study were mostly found here in Tuscany. Hamish spent many months researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums in the region here and further afield in Germany.

His studies invite the viewer to interpret traces of dwelling, being or Dasein and to speculate on the isolation, the loneliness and the incarceration. The closure of these institutions is infused into their very atmosphere. These places were home to many poor souls designated mad or simply less able.Empty emotionally charged spaces, have in some cases, been violated by other inquisitors eager to get a closer look on the remnants of previous habitation.

I want to share with the viewer an opportunity to reflect on these institutions and also, to witness those traces which evidence attempts to build a normal community.Within my images you will find not only bars on windows, heavy doors, disability and isolation, but also communal recreation areas.

The question is, as a viewer, do you look in at these images and see yourself as “The Other”? There were many who inhabited the same space, carers, doctors, visitors and patients?

As you look at the images and venture into this forgotten place, which subject do you become ? Carer or Cared For?” – Hamish Scott-Brown

Hamish’s beautiful book “Manicomio” is published here http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1035531

For some, treasured possessions can be mobilised from one space to another and ‘home’ can be quickly re-established in a different time and space.
For others, material possessions have little value.
Familiar sights, sounds and memories permeate the very fabric of existence from birth to death and, confined within a discreet space, cosseted from the elements, such a space (and no other) may well become “Home”.
As I realised how fortunate in life I have been with all the comforts of a secure loving home, I began to think about those souls who were often institutionalised for no greater sin than being less able or perhaps plagued by mental illness. I searched out a number of locations within travelling distance of my home and beyond.
Manicomio is a series of images taken inside a number of abandoned mental asylums. These eerie desolate and derelict buildings are most often spread across a fair acreage of quiet rural countryside. Built sufficiently out of the way to ease the social conscience, traces of former inhabitants remain both inside and externally in the grounds. Some poor souls remained in locked rooms or wards –‘for their own safety’ while others may have been afforded the luxury of walking out of doors in a secure, permitted area. Many of these people were abandoned and forgotten. These ‘skeletons in the cupboard’ often lived a whole lifetime and died in an asylum which was the only home they had ever really known.
The book is dedicated to those forgotten residents of such institutions and also to those ghosts who remain visible and invisible in the cold interiors and shifting gauzy light. – – Hamish Scott-Brown

………. along with his first publication “The Natural Harmonics of Home & Space” also available to view here

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/536057
……………

The other Alessandro was new to Barga but he too was looking for locations to photograph.  His name was Alessandro Puccinell and normally he can be found in Portugal where he is making a large name for himself  for his photographs of the sea

He was here in Barga not to photograph a seascape but instead he was looking for a window – a particular window. In fact had a photocopy image in his hand of the kind of window that he looking for. A window surrounded by thick walls of rough stone with a flat shelf underneath.

Various places were tried in Barga Vecchia, all of which did not quite match up the the required window until finally deep down in the cantinas below Casa Cordati, a window was found which matched , more or less, the image on the photocopy.

Another of those nice circular things that happen ever now and again in Barga – the same cantinas that were used to hide American servicemen during the last war. Maybe the film Ameriqua has just found another location in which to tell their story ?

Alessandro Puccinelli’s site is here

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AmeriQua is a fresh feature comedy, written and starred in by Bobby Kennedy III, that transports the sweet debauchery of the classic American college-movie to the Renaissance jewel of Bologna, Italy. Drawing on the wild characters and strange situations Bobby encountered while studying there in 2005, AmeriQua is the story of a lazy recent graduate, CHARLIE (Bobby Kennedy), whose rich parents cut him off with a $5000 check and an ultimatum to start a life of independence and responsibility. Instead, he buys a plane ticket to Italy, gets robbed upon arrival and winds up in Bologna in the care of his new friend LELE (Lele Gabellone), the self-proclaimed King of Bologna, who lives with a scraggly punkabbestia, BALLO (Gianlucca Bazzoli), and the insatiable prostitute frequenter, IL PISA (Giuseppe Sanfelice). In Bologna, LELE teaches CHARLIE the subtle strategies that the King knows so well, namely hitting on Italian women, throwing all-night parties and inciting general anarchy. CHARLIE takes to it like a pro and in the process meets the dangerously beautiful VALENTINA (Alessandra Mastronardi) and all-American VICKY (Eva Amurri). It may have been a simple story of cultural exchange had CHARLIE not accidentally pissed off two vicious mafia bosses, DON FERRACANE (Giancarlo Giannini) and DON FARINA (Ernesto Mahieux) in his wanderings. What chance does a timid American kid, who doesn’t speak Italian and hangs out with sloppy Italian party hounds, have against the dark forces of organized crime in Italy? See for yourself and don’t miss AmeriQua (site here) coming out in 2011!

Così vorrei pensare ai cani che abbaian…o alla luna, in una carta dei tarocchi, come emblema e simbolo della tensione anche canina, cinica e umana al, verso il femminile, osservando che l’ispirazione, la ricerca, la tensione verso l’altro, l’ignoto, il diverso siano da sempre lunari, femminili.

Penso appunto ai cinici, a quei filosofi la cui vita si ispirava a quella dei cani, “vita da cani”, vita cioè di povertà e ricerca, ricerca di se nell’altro , prima di Francesco d’Assisi, vita ridotta all’essenziale, drenata ed epurata del superfluo, liberi da ogni vincolo materiale, sciolti, come cani, assoluti, assolti dalle convenzioni, nudi come cani .

Cani come esempio dunque, come modello, e in questa mostra appunto si offrono come modelli; più esattamente parlerei di cinofanie cioè manifestazioni diverse di cani, all’interno di differenti visioni e percorsi emotivi, sparse a apparse su materiali diversi, intessute dai vincoli che ogni artista ha e ha avuto con le proprie compagne e compagni cani.

Ci accompagnamo infatti ai cani, ma mai si posseggono, essi infatti ci lasciano credere, nudi e liberi come sono, che li possediamo ma la nostra illusione è sostenuta soltanto dalla loro straordinaria capacità di sopportazione. In fondo sono ancora fiere, pericolose, ancestralmente feroci ed è solo per amore o per pietà nei nostri confronti, di noi così lontani dall’idea di uguaglianza che spesso ci concedono (con la nostra presunzione d’esser padroni), di vivere accanto a loro, come pari.

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Un ringraziamento al cane Gina e a Giorgia
Giuliano Nannipieri.

The new exhibition entitled “Mira … nel cuore dell’immagine”, is once again in black and white but this time he has introduced an element of sculpture into his work with the prints being shown on multiple mounted boards in a kind of photographic bas -relief.

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The serious damage done during the 1920 earthquake and the subsequent restoration work to the Duomo from 1927 to 1937 are documented in photographs from the archive of Angelo Pellegrini.

This exhibition, which carries the patronage of the Barga dell’Istituto Storico Lucchese and the Unità pastorale di Barga will be on display in the church right through the summer until September.

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E’ la “Settimana della fotografia” un contenitore di mostre, eventi, premiazioni, lettura di portfolio che da ormai nove anni viene presentata al pubblico dal Circolo Fotocine Garfagnana.

Sarà Giovanni Marrozzini, giovane fotografo freelance a ricevere la “fibula d’oro” del Premio intitolato a rodolfo Pucci. La suai talentuosa capacità reportagistica associata ad un convinto desiderio di solidarietà e rispetto per  ogni tipo di condizione dell’uomo, hanno permesso in pochi anni di raccontare storie celate, sconosciute, invisibili. L’intensità così rara, l’intimità  e la profonda emozione che trasuda da queste immagini sono stati culturalmente definiti come sentimenti capaci di trasformare lo scatto fotografico in un gesto d’amore mentre le sue fotografie sono considerate vere opere di creazione, formidabili strumenti capaci di informare, commuovere, far riflettere,  e, se non di  cambiare il mondo,  almeno riconsiderare radicalmente  la conoscenza  che abbiamo di esso.

Giovanni Marrozzini aprirà la manifestazione Venerdì 30 Luglio con un incontro pubblico dedicato al reportage e sarà esposta la sua mostra “S.T.O.P.  Sopravvivere nei Territori Occupati Palestinesi“,  lavoro parte di un progetto più ampio e articolato sulla condizione di salute mentale della popolazione palestinese nella West Bank e Striscia di Gaza, che ha visto lavorare l’autore in Israele e nei Territori Palestinesi  per oltre un anno, per conto della ONG spagnola Medicos del Mundo e delle Nazioni Unite.

Accanto a questa, faranno bella mostra di se sei lavori di giovani promettenti autori usciti dalla selezione dell’anno passato: Paola Fiorini di Verona vincitore del Portfolio Italia 2009, Maurizio Chelucci di Cerveteri, Sergio Carlesso e Nazzareno Berton di Romano d’Ezzelino (Vicenza), Mario Barsocchi di Capannori, Maurizio Cintioli di Roma, Davide Grossi di Parma  vincitori del Portfolio dell’Ariosto 2009.

Ci sarà anche un omaggio al centenario della nascita di Mario Pannunzio, con una mostra e la conferenza di Gianfranco Arciero del Centro Studi e ricerche sulla cultura visuale e sui linguaggi della comunicazione di Roma, che si svolgerà la sera del 5 Agosto presso la Rocca Ariostesca.

Assieme a queste, la mostra del Circolo Fotocine Garfagnana, con spazi liberi per ogni autore.

Giovanni Marrozzini assieme a Fulvio Merlak, Presidente della FIAF, Luigi Erba fotografo e critico fotografico, Roberto Evangelisti insegnante di fotografia, e Giorgio Tani presidente onorario della FIAF, già direttore del dipartimento editoria, saranno i lettori del Portfolio dell’Ariosto – Premio Sony, manifestazione di lettura di portfolio fotografici di forte richiamo per i giovani fotografi alla ricerca di una ribalta che gli apra le porte dell’editoria o magari della professione. Il Portfolio dell’Ariosto è una delle manifestazione che danno vita a “Portfolio Italia” il prestigioso premio cui parteciperanno due dei portfolio vincitori. Per partecipare al Portfolio dell’Ariosto, occorre iscriversi inviando l’apposita scheda, che si può trovare sul sito del Circolo Fotocine Garfagnana www.fotocinegarfagnana.it dove è disponibile anche il Regolamento.

La manifestazione è organizzata dal Circolo Fotocine Garfagnana con il patrocinio di Comune, Comunità Montana, Provincia di Lucca, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio, FIAF, Sony e grazie al sostegno di diversi sponsor locali.

Foto dell’ed.2009 su: http://www.fotocinegarfagnana.it/pages/ITA/cmspgallery.asp?RISUL_New=y&Ramo=0&Cat1ID=617

We published some of his work back in 2008 – (article here)  The images were part of a continuing project which he was calling a visual phenomenological research exploring ‘home’ and what we consider ‘homeliness’” and was for his MA in photography at the University of Cumbria in the UK.

The following year 2009, he had changed the thrust of the work and was concentrating on night images of houses and dwellings (article here)

This year the emphasis moved once again and instead he started researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums.

This week he was back in the area photographing two models using Barga Vecchia as his backdrop. We caught up with him just outside the Casa Cordati using the large pink facade of the centuries old palazzo as a perfect complimentary colour to the green dress of one of his models.

[View with PicLens]

Sonia & Mariella.

No……..  the two girls spotted in Barga Veccia on Friday evening were not professional models! They were local schoolgirls Sonia Orsucci and Mariella Ciniglio! These two beautiful young ladies were kind enough to model for professional photographer Hamish Scott-Brown who is at present collating a body of work based on eco fashion and the Scottish- Italian connection. Hamish’s wife Fiona is responsible for sourcing the gowns from sustainable outlets, styling and make-up.

Hamish says that the girls are simply beautiful. Natural and poised with an elegance and sophistication rarely found in such young subjects, the girls take instruction extremely well and are responsive to the photographers direction. In addition the girls appreciate the detail involved in the shoot and work hard to help Hamish achieve results.

Fiona states that the girls have a freshness which is very becoming in contemporary fashion photography and  an instinctive aptitude for modelling.

Hamish specialises in portraiture, boudoir, model folios and ‘trash the dress’ shoots.

Artist’s Statement.

International award winning photographer Hamish Scott -Brown is an outstanding contemporary photographer operating at the cutting edge of the industry. His inimitable approach secures his place as a leading exponent and digital artist who provides images of the highest quality and style

Hamish trained originally at the prestigious Bournemouth and Poole College of Art where he studied photography along with so many other great British talents like Turner prize winner Wolfgang Tillmans and world renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight. Recognised by his tutors as an outstanding student, he went on to work as an assistant to names like Tony McGee and John Swannell before operating as a freelance photographer, graduating as a teacher from Strathclyde University and finally securing a post as a Principal University Lecturer.

Progressing education through technology, Hamish also worked with organisations such as The BBC, Channel 4 television and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London developing learning through technology.

Hamish recently completed his Post Graduate MA studies in Photography and his subjects for study were mostly found here in Tuscany. Hamish spent many months researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums in the region here and further afield in Germany.

His studies invite the viewer to interpret traces of dwelling, being or Dasein and to speculate on the isolation, the loneliness and the incarceration. The closure of these institutions is infused into their very atmosphere. These  places were home to many poor souls designated mad or simply less able.Empty emotionally charged spaces, have in some cases, been violated by other inquisitors eager to get a closer look on the remnants of previous habitation.

I want to share with the viewer an opportunity to reflect on these institutions and also, to witness those traces which evidence attempts to build a normal community.Within my images you will find not only bars on windows, heavy doors,  disability and isolation, but also communal recreation areas.

The question is, as a viewer, do you look in at these images and see yourself as “The Other”? There were many who inhabited the same space, carers, doctors, visitors and patients?

As you look at the images and venture into this forgotten place, which subject do you become ? Carer or Cared For?” – Hamish Scott-Brown

Hamish’s beautiful book “Manicomio” is published here http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1035531

For some, treasured possessions can be mobilised from one space to another and ‘home’ can be quickly re-established in a different time and space.
For others, material possessions have little value.
Familiar sights, sounds and memories permeate the very fabric of existence from birth to death and, confined within a discreet space, cosseted from the elements, such a space (and no other) may well become “Home”.
As I realised how fortunate in life I have been with all the comforts of a secure loving home, I began to think about those souls who were often institutionalised for no greater sin than being less able or perhaps plagued by mental illness. I searched out a number of locations within travelling distance of my home and beyond.
Manicomio is a series of images taken inside a number of abandoned mental asylums. These eerie desolate and derelict buildings are most often spread across a fair acreage of quiet rural countryside. Built sufficiently out of the way to ease the social conscience, traces of former inhabitants remain both inside and externally in the grounds. Some poor souls remained in locked rooms or wards –‘for their own safety’ while others may have been afforded the luxury of walking out of doors in a secure, permitted area. Many of these people were abandoned and forgotten. These ‘skeletons in the cupboard’ often lived a whole lifetime and died in an asylum which was the only home they had ever really known.
The book is dedicated to those forgotten residents of such institutions and also to those ghosts who remain visible and invisible in the cold interiors and shifting gauzy light. – – Hamish Scott-Brown

………. along with his first publication “The Natural Harmonics of Home & Space” also available to view here

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/536057
……………

The subject of the event is images about summer in Barga. All entries to this competition must be in by  1st June when a jury composed of the photographers, Caterina Savi, Keane, Ugo and Fiorella Borghesi and Massimo Pia will decided who will win the main prize -  having their image on the cover of the Speciale Estate – the Giornale di Barga special summer edition plus second and third prizes for runners up.

La primavera è alle porte (almeno secondo il calendario), i raggi del sole cominciano ad avere un’altra intensità, la natura piano piano tornerà ad essere verde e rigogliosa. Ci si avvicina alla bella stagione, e gli scorci dei panorami che il nostro comune offre sono pronti a regalarci dei bellissimi scatti fotografici. È dunque il momento per lanciare il concorso fotografico “… L’estate che vorrei (sul gdb)”, per scegliere l’immagine che andrà sulla copertina dello Speciale Estate di quest’anno.

Il numero di luglio, infatti, da anni è dedicato interamente alle manifestazioni e agli eventi dell’estate del comune, una sorta di vademecum per meglio passare la bella stagione tra Barga, Fornaci, Filecchio e le altre frazioni; esce a colori e la copertina già racchiude in sé quello che è raccolto nelle pagine seguenti. Sono state usate, nelle diverse edizioni, illustrazioni di una Barga versione cartoon affollata di mercatini e visitatori, o immagini degli artisti che hanno reso omaggio con le loro opere, o ancora, dei begli scatti realizzati dagli angoli meno consueti.

Quest’anno la scelta della copertina, cari lettori, tocca a voi. Con il concorso “… L’estate che vorrei (sul gdb)” saranno le fotografie inviate alla redazione a competere per rappresentare l’estate barghigiana. Gli scatti, dovranno far pensare a chi le guarda “sì, è davvero arrivata l’estate” e, senza nessun altro vincolo se non l’essere a colori e con tema le vedute del nostro comune, potranno essere interpretati come più volete, alla ricerca di luci particolari, o di inquadrature diverse dal solito, o con giochi di esposizione. Entro i primi di giugno, poi, tutte le immagini pervenute saranno valutate da una giuria composta da Caterina Savi, Ugo and Fiorella Borghesi, Keane and Massimo Pia

Il verdetto della giuria tecnica determinerà una rosa di dieci immagini che meglio interpretano il tema proposto ed allora toccherà ai lettori scegliere la copertina: su questo sito verrà infatti pubblicato un sondaggio collegato alle immagini e… saranno i vostri click a determinare il vincitore.

Tutte le immagini regolarmente inviate alla redazione saranno comunque pubblicate nella fotogallery dedicata a “…L’estate che vorrei (sul gdb).
In premio, oltre alla pubblicazione dell’immagine vincitrice sulla copertina dello Speciale Estate e all’interno in misure ridotte per quanto riguarda la seconda e terza classificata, abbonamenti web alla nostra testata e buoni acquisto …

Dunque, basta con le chiacchiere, impugniamo la fotocamera e andiamocene in giro in cerca della prima luce calda che la stagione offre, e se proprio non c’è niente di interessante, ricordate che vanno bene anche foto scattate nella passate stagioni.

Il concorso è patrocinato da Lucchesia Viaggi, Antherica, Comune di Barga.
Per info: 0583 723003 – redazione@giornaledibarga.it / il bando del concorso

David Henry from Halifax Nova Scotia,  restauranteur and keen photographer who was here in Barga recently for his first visit.

Jesse Henry,  a hotelier in Maine, USA , sharp eyed photographer and one of the most loyal readers of barganews ( there are probably more comments on the site from Jess than any other reader) and a newcomer to the Barga scene … a late entry in the form of Peter Barr, a photographer and writer based in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland who spent a prolonged stay in the city thanks to a certain Icelandic volcano. (article here)

[View with PicLens]

All images cropped and labelled copyright barganews by the barganews automatic image software – please ignore this as copyright  remains with the photographers featured here: Jesse Henry, David Henry and Peter Barr.

O’Connor is not known for being the most cheerful looking person on the planet.  It would appear that his face in repose carries what could only be described as a scowl.  In fact,  he’s actually quite a cheerful soul, it’s just that his face seems to deny it BUT  this past week he has been wandering  through Barga Vecchia  with a very dark cloud  hovering cartoonlike over his head.

It turns out that his trusty Canon EOS 5D  was starting to play up and he had no choice but to send it to be repaired.  The last time this happened it was away for three months.  The thought of another three months without the EOS 5D was sending him slowly but definitely round the bend.

Luckily a couple of other photographers noticed his discomfort and stepped into the breach with the loan of their own camera equipment.
So a big thank you to Paolo Marroni and Jesse Henry for their generosity which kept the images flowing on the site.

This week, the company repairing the camera in Perugia – Fotocheckup did an amazingly professional and fast job and yesterday, O’Connor could be seen once more with his trusty Canon EOS 5D  slung across his right shoulder  and this time what could easily be misconstrued as a smile across his face  as he took the camera for a test ride up in the hills around Barga.

[View with PicLens]

We published some of his work back in 2008 – (article here)  The images were part of a continuing project which he was calling a visual phenomenological research exploring ‘home’ and what we consider ‘homeliness’” and was for his MA in photography at the University of Cumbria in the UK.

The following year 2009, he had changed the thrust of the work and was concentrating on night images of houses and dwellings (article here)

This year the emphasis moved once again and instead he started researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums.

This month comes the news that the project is now finished and a book of his images has been published. It can be bought on line here

[View with PicLens]

Artist’s Statement.

International award winning photographer Hamish Scott -Brown is an outstanding contemporary photographer operating at the cutting edge of the industry. His inimitable approach secures his place as a leading exponent and digital artist who provides images of the highest quality and style

Hamish trained originally at the prestigious Bournemouth and Poole College of Art where he studied photography along with so many other great British talents like Turner prize winner Wolfgang Tillmans and world renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight. Recognised by his tutors as an outstanding student, he went on to work as an assistant to names like Tony McGee and John Swannell before operating as a freelance photographer, graduating as a teacher from Strathclyde University and finally securing a post as a Principal University Lecturer.

Progressing education through technology, Hamish also worked with organisations such as The BBC, Channel 4 television and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London developing learning through technology.

Hamish recently completed his Post Graduate MA studies in Photography and his subjects for study were mostly found here in Tuscany. Hamish spent many months researching and photographing abandoned mental asylums in the region here and further afield in Germany.

His studies invite the viewer to interpret traces of dwelling, being or Dasein and to speculate on the isolation, the loneliness and the incarceration. The closure of these institutions is infused into their very atmosphere. These  places were home to many poor souls designated mad or simply less able.Empty emotionally charged spaces, have in some cases, been violated by other inquisitors eager to get a closer look on the remnants of previous habitation.

I want to share with the viewer an opportunity to reflect on these institutions and also, to witness those traces which evidence attempts to build a normal community.Within my images you will find not only bars on windows, heavy doors,  disability and isolation, but also communal recreation areas.

The question is, as a viewer, do you look in at these images and see yourself as “The Other”? There were many who inhabited the same space, carers, doctors, visitors and patients?

As you look at the images and venture into this forgotten place, which subject do you become ? Carer or Cared For?” – Hamish Scott-Brown

Hamish’s beautiful book “Manicomio” is published here http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1035531

For some, treasured possessions can be mobilised from one space to another and ‘home’ can be quickly re-established in a different time and space.
For others, material possessions have little value.
Familiar sights, sounds and memories permeate the very fabric of existence from birth to death and, confined within a discreet space, cosseted from the elements, such a space (and no other) may well become “Home”.
As I realised how fortunate in life I have been with all the comforts of a secure loving home, I began to think about those souls who were often institutionalised for no greater sin than being less able or perhaps plagued by mental illness. I searched out a number of locations within travelling distance of my home and beyond.
Manicomio is a series of images taken inside a number of abandoned mental asylums. These eerie desolate and derelict buildings are most often spread across a fair acreage of quiet rural countryside. Built sufficiently out of the way to ease the social conscience, traces of former inhabitants remain both inside and externally in the grounds. Some poor souls remained in locked rooms or wards –‘for their own safety’ while others may have been afforded the luxury of walking out of doors in a secure, permitted area. Many of these people were abandoned and forgotten. These ‘skeletons in the cupboard’ often lived a whole lifetime and died in an asylum which was the only home they had ever really known.
The book is dedicated to those forgotten residents of such institutions and also to those ghosts who remain visible and invisible in the cold interiors and shifting gauzy light. – – Hamish Scott-Brown

………. along with his first publication “The Natural Harmonics of Home & Space” also available to view here

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/536057
……………

Hamish has now left Education to concentrate on his photography and we wish him every success for the future.

What O’Connor had in mind that day is somewhat difficult to say,  but apparently he did have some kind of template in his head as all of the images fitted under the working title of circles and squares in Barga.

Click on the following link and then use the comments section below this article  if you think you have understood just when it was he was after with his 600 images.

circles and squares in Barga – 600 images