About the artist

ERNESTA CAVIOLA

I would like to be as a photographer a correspondent of Madonnas maker, infinite and subtle variations on the theme, working on the edge of things. It may seem paradoxical to evoke in our time “low defini-tion”, backlighting, one way to tell the truth through allinclusive microcosms and cultures shared, like, say, the Dutch interior painters. My aim now is to photo-graph the architecture as I would paint on commission, a young barefoot woman with child, full of special detectors, a Madonna of course; things are never what they seem.
Allows an image to see again and the epiphany of places, cities, children grow up and just disconnects the flow blasé countless things that surround us. Photo-graphing Italian architecture is for me to listen in abso-lute silence of an image, the white noise of the bod-ies present or future through the buildings, to allude to what is still there, but that is already here.

 

 

PRESS

Vittorio Savi - The importance of their photography for us

It was Edoardo Persico who, when participating in the directorship, from 1930–1936, guided “Casabella” towards modernity, along the narrow path which char-acterised by strenuous formalism, prestige and elitism of the rationalist architects of the time. Persico was, in fact the guardian angel of “Casabella”, the youthful character who was first criticised and later elevated by historians who first understood that photography was not simply a means of communicating to the masses, but represented the art of occupying the intellect and the spirit of the disciplinary research - and whether it was liked or criticised to forge ever onwards.

In the doctorate theses dedicated to The Destiny of Architecture. The Casabella Magazine 1930-36. The invention of Language for Images, (which I would rec-ommend for publication on line or in the press), the au-thor, Ernesta Caviola, at one point considers Persico’s the very modern intuition to be relevant to or times. Photography today, whether analogical or digital is as essential to the architectural discipline, with its relative in-discipline, as drawing in order to render the idea. Photography, in fact assumes the task of representingthe architecture initially, and, at the same time, of inter-preting it afterwards.

It has been said that a concept, an idea, a vision such as this could have the effect of paralysing creativity. This view could not be further from the truth. Indeed, (and this is not a criticism) that Ernesta Caviola, herself an architectural photographer, as well as academic, designer uses this, undoubtedly theoretical concept as a base on which to operate. To recall the triad referred to by Hannah Arendt) she acts, photographically and tirelessly and produces sequences which are Unitary, coherent, rigorous yet imaginative.

While Persico has not reincarnated and although every specialised journal today, including “Casabella” tends to overuse very contemplative talent which has little to do with authentic photography, it is worth noting that applied photographic research should return to being a testimonial to the work itself, to show us, architects, the architecture, its life, its forms and its intrinsic values, nothing more nor nothing less.

Opere - 04, March 2004 - pp.gg. 30-35

 

Annalisa Rosso From Turkey, with love

A turkish calligrapher. An Italian photographer. The images sprung from this mutual comparison are shown for the first time in London. And you can not tell if it is placed near or far, if these are real or imaginary spaces, if you are floating in front of these photographs, in themselves, most hidden spaces of your instinctual animal nature, or if you are granite in front of an inheritance, immutable, verging on the sacred. Language, signs, silent congress that is knowledge-able about these gestures, slide in the lights and fog to get to touch us and open our eyes with a sigh. The figures are dilated and strong in their age-old tradition, and cultured with a disarming clarity. Do you see yourself naked in front of the calm wisdom and harmony that transmit these photos.

“Ars longa Vita brevis” calligrapher for the photographer cites Seneca, who in turn takes Hippocrates of Kos. Yet, at the same time, we feel that “Ars Longa Vita Brevis” in front of a knowledge of ancient and mystical images that naturally express the strength of a wise man unmoved, as depositary of an absolute good language.

It still goes on the quote: “Life brevis, ars longa, occa-sional praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficult,” (“Life short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experiment dangerous, poor judgment”), that are perfectly suited to these images that take up the challenge and overturn. The occasion, the experiment, the trial is not bend under the gaze so aware of Caviola Ernesta, who stops and merging the art of the calligrapher’s art, in a game of references and mirrors, silent calls and awards, in a dance of mutual glances that suspends time, cancel the space and leaves us feeling at the mercy of a strong and reassuring: the power of wisdom is a thing of this world. We will not be lost, until we have men and women, with their art and poetry, ready to remind us who we are.

 

Francesca Solero

Exuberant, passionate and dreamer, the woman. Acute, subtle and penetrating, the artist.

Ernesta Caviola human presence is uplifting vital-ity. The thickness in her culture through the streets of light-hearted stories, confide in a loud voice from the gestures of an actor going on the Disney excitement.

Knowing Ernesta encounter physical and personal is an experience that opens up endless worlds, which builds bridges between past and future of a society distinctly Mediterranean that she knows and loves deeply, in its ideological structure as in cultural and social changes that have shaped and created the contemporary history. Figure rich of spaces, with amazing changes and consultation between the parties, Ernesta does not cover fits transversely into branches that draw, in the mo-ment of dialogue, clear and readable visions of reality. The instant feeling that you understand one piece more of the world, that is the fate smiles to those who are next to her in one of her frenetic moments of a typical day.

Know her through her work gives, on the other hand, an innate attention to the world, respect- ful curiosity to the other, that characterizes every photographic moment, and even before, his love for the medium. The eye prosthesis and his silent feature space ready for the spotlight giving way to the possibility of the vision.

Text written for the exhibition The Calligraphist - The Whitecross Gallery, London 8 - 14 december 2006

 

 

EXHIBITIONS

Ernesta Caviola is the director of the videos "LOOKING FOR LINA" - an exhibition curated by Sarah Catalano and Ernesta Caviola with Daniele Menichini and promoted by the Associazione Culturale Architettrici - is a temporary exhibition on Lina Bo Bardi organised as part of the Italian Pavilion at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition - La Biennale Venezia. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura - La Biennale di Venezia, promoted by the Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea of the Ministry of Culture and curated by Arch. Alessandro Melis with the project "Resilient Communities".  The exhibition, which can be visited from 24 August to 5 September 2021 inside the Italian Pavilion, can also be viewed online on the "Resilient Communities" YouTube page until November at the following 

link Looking for Lina .

 

Ernesta Caviola exhibits at MIA - Milan Image Art Fair with the inauguration of the first edition of Parallel 2021 Design & Photography by MoscaPartners, a survey on limited edition design and photography that will be held the new space of Superstudio Maxi in via Moncucco, 35 - Milan.

 

'Senza Orfeo' directed by Ernesta Caviola is participating in the ninth edition of Milano Design Film Festival 2021. The artist will present the short film before the screening on Sunday, October 24 at 12:15 pm at Teatro Franco Parenti, entrance via Botta 18, Sala Testori. The film is on the online platform of MDFF from October 21 to 24, 2021. 



Palermo (Italy) - Studio 427, via Messina Marine 427 - Istanbul\Palermo (Solo) - November 2011
Turin (Italy) - Quarter relocated - Largo Saluzzo 35 - MUSH-ROOM 1 (with SibillAssociati) - June 2008
Dubai (United Arab Emirates) - Total Art Gallery, Courtyard - Italian contemporary art (collective) - April 2008
Sharjha (United Arab Emirates) - Qanat al Qasba - Italian contemporary art (collective) - March 2008
Milano (Italy) - Raas Gallery, Via Pietrasanta14 - REAL-ISM 5+1 (with 5+1AA e Danilo Trogu) - June 2007
Milano (Italy) - Atelier 5+1AA, via Cadolini 32/38 - Il Calligafro (Solo) - March 2007
London (UK) - Whitecross Gallery - 122 Whitecross Street - 5earths+1form (with 5+1AA e Danilo Trogu) - February 2007
London (UK) - Whitecross Gallery - 122 Whitecross Street - The calligraphist (Solo) - December 2006
Genoa  (Italy) - Bar Le Corbusier - Via di San Donato 36 - Tanghi - 12 foto al bar (Solo) - January 2005
Genoa (Italy) - Facoltà di Architettura - Stradone S. Agostino 37 - Viaggio nelle città sognate (collective) - October 2004
Turin (Italy) - 41 Artecontemporanea - Strada Sal Salice 9 - Collective 18x24 (collective) - December 2003
Turin (Italy)- 41 Artecontemporanea - Strada Val Salice 9 - Collective 18x24 (collective) - December 2002

 

 

MAGAZINES

With photos by Ernesta Caviola:
A+D+M - A10 - Abitare - Abitare la Terra – AD - AR2 – Archistorm – Architettare – ArchITettura - Architettura & Design - Architetture Lucca – Area – Arkitecton – Arte - AT Casa - b0x – Bauwelt – Blueprint - Casabella (almanacco) – Casamica - Case da Abitare – Cityproject – Class – Costruire - Costruire in Laterizio - Costruzioni Metalliche - D’Architettura – Ddonna - Design Magazine Entertainment – Detail - Diseño Interior – Domus – Ecoflash - Il Sole 24 ore - L’Espresso – Flare – Ideat - Il Giornale dell’Architettura - Il Giornale dell’Edilizia - Il Secolo XIX - Interior Design – Interni – Italian -Design - ItaliArchitettura3 - L’Arca - L’Arca international - L’Architettura - cronache e storia - L’Industria delle costruzioni - La Repubblica – Made - Marie Claire – Materia - Matière et architecture - Mercedes Magazine – OfArch – Opere – Ottagono - Pasajes de Arquitectura Critica – Parametro – Progettare – Salon – Solaria - The Plan - Urbanisme
 

 

BOOKS
 

Edited & Photos by Ernesta Caviola

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana - 5+1AA Alfonso Femia Gianluca Peluffo (Anteprima | AAM Editions | Marsilio Editori) France/Italy, 2014 - Photos by E. Caviola
In the mood for love - 5+1AA Alfonso Femia Gianluca Peluffo & JB Pietri (Anteprima | AAM editions | Arsenale Editrice) France/Italy, 2011 - Photos by E. Caviola
What’s in the Fridge? - 5+1AA Alfonso Femia Gianluca Peluffo (Anteprima | AAM editions | Silvana Editoriale) France/Italy, 2009 - Photos by E. Caviola
The flow of the tide - 5+1AA Alfonso Femia Gianluca Peluffo (Anteprima | AAM editions | Silvana Editoriale) France/Italy, 2008 - Photos by E. Caviola


Edited by Ernesta Caviola

The new Cinema Palace of Venice - 5+1AA & Rudy Ricciotti (Anteprima I AAM Editions I Silvana Editoriale) France/Italy, 2008

 

Photos by Ernesta Caviola:

5earths+1form​ - 5+1AA, Italia, 2007 - Photos by Ernesta Caviola

 

Essays by Ernesta Caviola:

Intorno al VUOTO (Riflessioni italiane sul tema) - Alessandro Cambi & Riccardo Maselli - LISt Lab, Rovereto (TN), 2015

Net.it - Snapshot su Architettura Design Fotografia Network in Italia - ACTAR, Barcelona, 2005
Viaggio nelle città sognate - NE, Genoa, 2004
50 Nuova architettura italiana (Due generazioni a confronto) - Federico Motta, Milan, 2002
The Shadow of ideas – 5+1 - Skira Books, Milan, 2000

 


ARTICLES AND ESSAYS

AT Casa - Interior Design Web Magazine (Jul 2008) - “Decori liquidi” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
AT Casa - Interior Design Web Magazine (May 2008) - “Collezione flessibile” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
AT Casa - Interior Design Web Magazine (Feb 2008) - “Affinità Elettive” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Parametro - Architecture magazine (Sep 2007) - “Il cretto di Burri” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Interni - Architecture Magazine N. 574 (Sep 2007) - “Collezione flessibile” - Photos and text: E. Caviola

Abitare - Architecture Magazine N. 467 (Dec 2006) - “Arso longa, vita brevis” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
D’Architettura - Architecture Magazine - (Dec 2006) - “Low emission“ - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Interni 12 - Architecture Magazine (Dec 2005) - “La bambina e la fabbrica del ghiaccio” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Case da Abitare - Interior Design Magazine (Oct 2005) - “Quirinale. Le stanze, il giardino” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Architetti italiani Under 50 – Catalogue (May 2005) - “Caserma Guardia di Finanza” - Photos and text: Ernesta Caviola

Case da Abitare - Interior Design Magazine (Oct 2004) - “Erre house” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Case da Abitare - Interior Design Magazine (Oct 2004) - “Arte in casa” – Photos and text: E. Caviola
Case da Abitare - Interior Design Magazine (Jun 2004) - “Genova dentro” Photos: E. Caviola - Text: E. Caviola & S. Gabrielli
Area Architecture Magazine N. 62 (May-Jun 2002) - “Centro visite e antiquarium del Foro di Aquileia” - Text: E. Caviola

Area Architecture Magazine N. 58 (Sep-Oct 2001) - “Padiglione di scultura Porto” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Area Architecture Magazine N. 47 (Nov-Dec 1999) - “Turchia nascosta” - Photos and text: E. Caviola
Laboratori dell’immagine 1 (Sep 1999) - Guardando le figure” - Text: E. Caviola
L’immagine della città come ricerca: Recco - Ed Neos 1998 - “Fotografia e territorio”
Domus N.727 (May 1991) - “Le residenze di Costa degli Ometti” - Text: E. Caviola, A. Picollo