The magic of photographic portraits. An exhibition by Dario Azzaro

Photography steals the soul. In many countries around the world this popular belief is still deeply rooted. Out of modesty, social convention or fear, people don’t like having their picture taken. Almost a spell, a kind of magic able to trap the soul in an image. It may seem ridiculous to some, yet it is a serious matter, which, if you analyse it, is not so unfounded after all.

A photographic portrait can say a lot about a person. I saw this first-hand while working on the project “#095FACESinSicily”: 495 faces, captured by the photojournalist Dario Azzaro, from an idea by the publisher Marco Spampinato. Same location, same lighting set, same aim: to capture the essence of those wanderers who tell the story of the Catania of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Looks, smiles, grimaces, gestures: Catania through the faces of its people. A Catania that shows itself with its face uncovered, without masks or face masks. The Catania that is lived, the Catania passed through, the Catania that stays with you.

495 photographic portraits: an emotion for every face

495 people, finding themselves 50 centimetres from a camera ready to lay them bare. The photographer’s skill in this case is not limited to technique alone. The ability to create an imprint with the subject is necessary and indispensable. Immediate, powerful, objective.

And I, there in person, watched in amazement as the magic happened at every encounter. As a photographer, and therefore a sharp observer by professional habit, I picked up on every nuance of character in the people who took part in the project, and above all how they stood in front of the camera. Embarrassment, agitation, confidence, sensuality, grit, fear… and I could go on forever. 495 portraits, 495 completely different emotions.

#095FACESinSicily: a photo book now on show

The result? A unique project. A photo book that holds all of this. But not only. The debut last year doesn’t stop there and today evolves into a photographic exhibition, hosted at the GAM (Galleria d’Arte Moderna) in Via Castello Ursino, 26, Catania. 50 faces selected from the 495 captured will tell the story of Catania. A new edition is also on the way, so a work in progress follows inside the Gallery, where you will be able to see the photographer at work. The exhibition will be open to the public, with free admission, from 8 to 31 August every day except Sundays, from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm.