Doboj Salon 2013

One of my photos at the international photographic exhibition Doboj Salon 2013 in  Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Self Portrait

How I see myself in a mirror with lights off and eyes closed:

New Illustration

Here something new I have recently dreamt  and got round to drawing

Bristol. England, 2013

All rights reserved

Italian Illustrator: Fabio Celoni

I was a solitary young teenager when the Italian Disney comic publication "Topolino" came out with a story that totally blew me away. It was called "Torna a casa Paperino", we are in 1994 and on the 25th of January (2 days after  my birthday) Alice in chains released the beautiful "Jar of Flies".

What really struck me was how the illustrations were simply amazing and although the publication is mainly aimed at a kid audience, the story was almost  an oniric-like experience.

There's an undeniable dark element to these drawings which in the harmless Disney universe was unheard-of.
The name of the artist: Fabio Celoni

 "Torna a casa Paperino"

He has clearly a different style approach than your typical Disney illustrator and although the combination between these two opposite worlds might seem hazardous to say the least it turned up to be a winning bet.
Fabio Celon is now one of the most appreciated illustrator in Italy and his work published by several different publications.

Thy skull

I have to admit it....I like skulls.

I like to stroll among ancient grave stones and to look at the ornaments of old churches.

so there you go, here's one of my latest finds.

It was in a dark corner and I simply walked past it till somebody opened a door. The light came in and it suddenly was there. Vaguely shy.

We talked for a bit and asked him if I could take a photo of him. He told me to go on but he was not able to sign the model release form.

I hope this won't go legal one day!!

The art of composition

Mastering the art of composition is probably the most challenging aspect of an artist's path, but also the most rewarding.  This is something nobody can teach you because it is a very subjective topic, because your work has to turn into the reflection of your soul and its multi-faced complexity.

No need to telly you that in the long run what will set you apart from the myriads of photographers that you see around is the ability to develop your own vision and style.

It doesn't mean you will be appreciated and become famous but at least you will be unique....and you art will satisfy your need to express yourself.

Although composition is something that you will learn with time, experience and experiments there are anyway some basic concepts that can help you understand why some works of art in history have been more appreciated than others. Learning these very rules for an artist is quite important, it will be then  up to you whether to apply these rules or not, but most important one day you will do it in a non-conscious way.

There are many books and articles on the internet that explains the rules of composition and it is all good and nice. In my opinion the best way to learn is to look and understand the work of the old masters of painting.

Charles Baudelaire: The journey and the awareness of failure (ENG/FRA)

Charles Baudelaire: The journey and the awareness of failure

Please find below the original text in french by Miss Rossana Pintus.

The journey is for Baudelaire first of all an escape from this world, from reality; to him it is a mean to break out of the reality he lives in. In other words, it is a sort of a poetic act.

Through his poetry Baudelaire tries to reach the Ideal and through the journey he will try to dull this reality he is trapped inside.

The three key poems of « Les fleurs du mal » are: “L’invitation au voyage “; - “ Un voyage à Cytère “; - inspired to Baudelaire by a piece of Nerval and which the movement of the whole reminds us of Rimbaud’s “Bateau Ivre” – and “le voyage”

It’s the longest poem on “Les fleurs du mal” « (36 strophes) and the final one: it closes the collection and gives us the key to Baudelaire’s experience.

These are very noteworthy poems on “Les fleurs du mal”, where Baudelaire surveys the sad realization of the failure of the journey - failure that is generalized on his other poems - and where at the end he will find himself face to face with his miserable condition.

In the poem “le voyage” he has experienced everything: it’s time to make an analysis of his existence and of his adventure. Not only of his adventure as a man, but of his adventure as a poet, because the two things in Baudelaire coincide.

Border Cities & New Identities | Romania 2013

I've recently taken part in a group exhibition: Border Cities & New Identities  in Suceava (Romania), at The Water Plant “Uzina de Apa”, from July 26, to August 02 2013.

Here below you will find the link to the website with the feedback release and some photos of the event:

Border Cities & New Identities | Romania 2013

Charles Baudelaire: the journey of a tormented soul. Poems

Charles Baudelaire is one of my all-time favorite poet and an endless inspiration.

He is widely considered the father of modern poetry.

If Verlaine poetic style was innovating but rather conventional in the subjects choice, on the contrary Baudelaire would stay within the structure of the sonnet of classical tradition but introducing in his poems completely new themes and unprecedented language.

The grid below, courtesy of Miss Rossana Pintus (Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques and mother of this blogger), summarize the main  subjects of his work:

Photography: Gate, Old Street Station, London 2013

                                      copyright Emiliano Santoro

Photography: Passage, London, 2013

Everything flows with[the] horrible mysteries of ancient landscapes;

of strongholds visited, of large estates:

it is along these banks that you can hear

the dead passions of errant knights:

but how the wind is wholesome!
Blackcurrant river (A.Rimbaud)

    Copyright Emiliano Santoro. London 2013

You are not alone tonight

you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - 

                                                 pencils on paper

you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight - you are not alone tonight

Photography: Strasbourg, France

copyright Emiliano Santoro. all rights reserved. Strasbourg 2013

How can you be sure you are looking at the photo....and not the other way round?

Love yourself

                                                Love Yourself - Colored pencil and ink on paper - 2013

The days of film photography pt.3 - Printing - by Glenn Pierce

In printmaking, photography at last yields its prize. For me it was the most pleasurable part of the whole imaging process. To see an image appearing on photo paper in the developer tray was a grand and fun experience.

The Print -- Part 1

Photo paper came in literally hundreds of various options of texture, finish, tint and image tone. In addition,each kind of paper came in several grades, which determined the contrast between the tones of gray. You found the ones that suited your style of photography & printmaking.

                                          Docking Pier-Glenn Pierce

The days of film photography pt.2 - Printing - by Glenn Pierce

Well folks we have developed our film and are ready to make B&W prints 1-3 days later after shooting our images --- No! We now have to make contact sheets of the negatives to see the actual images. These contact sheets are much like a grid view of your images in Lightroom.

1. In the darkroom under a safe light, low wattage yellow light, you take a sheet of photo paper and placed it on the base of the enlarger with your film strips on top under a piece of glass.

2. Adjusted the enlarger for wide open F-stop (yes enlargers had F-stop adjustments same has cameras).

3. Turn on enlarger light for approx. 5 seconds.

Man swimming, Syracuse, Sicily 2013

The days of film photography pt.1 - Film Development - by Glenn Pierce

Glenn Pierce is an american photographer and friend of mine. He is also a mentor who helped me (and still helps me) improve my work. He advised me on how to look at my work with critical eye and always pushed me to put more effort on the post production phase.
If I have doubts about a photo he's the one I go to!!

One day I asked him how the whole film processing worked, when there was no digital, no Photoshop:

…if you are a history buff about photography I will over the next several weeks relate to you in small steps how I first got started in photography & B&W darkroom work in the early 1970's.

What you would have to put in perspective is that we had no internet, computers, credit cards, pay pal, cell phones, etc...

Exhibition in Romania 2013

From the 26th July to 02nd August 2013 3 photos of mine will be exhibited in Suceava (Romania), at The Water Plant “Uzina de Apa” – Center of Architecture, Urban Culture and Landscape for the International Art Festival "Border Cities & New Identities".

Thirty-three artists, from different countries, have been selected to be part of this project based on the main concept of hybridization between identities and urban environment, as the result of liquid identities and liquid contacts between people. People, backgrounds, societies, progress and all their inputs creates hybrid identities, modifying each other and being mixed in prospect to shape a better world. Mixing sustainable transport; modern (ICT) communication infrastructure; sustainable economic development; and wise management of natural resources, human, intellectual and social capital, is the key to reach a future better life quality.

                                                        "Lylle" (2013, gelatin silver print)

Le Comptoir - Cabinet of Curiosities, Art and Photography- Paris

My photographies will be exhibited and on sale in Paris at the shop Le Comptoir together with the work of five other artists.

I'm quite exited to be showing off my work in France since I've always had this special bond with this beautiful country to which I owe a tremendous debt in terms of endless inspiration.

There will be seven photos of mine, all gelatin silvers prints.

The shop opens Tuesday 16th and this exhibition will run for three weeks.

There will also be a small gathering on Friday 19th from 6.30 PM.

Le Comptoir   

 72 Rue de la Villette,

 Buttes Chaumont 

Paris 

19eme

Please follow this facebook link for more details: Le comptoir.

Au revoir!

Artsdepot Open 2013, London

My photo titled "You don't belong" will be displayed at the annual Artdepots Open 2013 London's exhibition.

The exhibition will run from Friday 26^th July to Sunday 8^th September.

The signed print will also be available for sale.

Artsdepot, 
5 Nether Street, 
 Tally Ho Corner, 
North Finchley,
London, 
N12 0GA

Exhibition in New York

I have been invited to participate to an international exhibition titled 'The Story of the Creative'  opening in New York City on July 25th, 2013 until September 10th.

The work displayed will include sculpture, works on paper, and the launch of a newly built digital exhibition: 3 photos of mine will be projected as part of a digital presentation, and shown on multiple monitors featuring an array of international talent from around the world.

The opening reception will be on:

Thursday, July 25th, 

7p through 11p 

with complimentary cocktails.

at

See | Exhibition Space

26-19 Jackson Ave.

Long Island City,

 NY 11101

The show will be open to the public, so if you live in New York or around you are welcome to go to the opening party.

Journalist/Writer Paul Raffaele about my photography

Paul Raffaele is a journalist and writer. 

He is the author of five books and has been defined 'one of the greatest journalists of our times' (Bernard Ohanian, Editorial Director, AAPR)

His latest book is 'Among the Great Apes' and it's been published in 2010.

Emiliano Santoro’s street photography signals the arrival of a major new
talent. His black and white scenes pulsate with the cruel anonymity of
today’s city life. Stark architectural lines that form nondescript
buildings, bridges and streets capture the tiny human figures within their
frames, pinned with a brutality like insects stuck by a scientist onto a
display board in a museum. Santoro’s photos evoke an aching loneliness where
humans have been brutalised into a mute acceptance of their nothingness. It
is as much an invaluable early 21st century vision of city life in Europe as
Henri Cartier-Bresson’s photos evoked a human passion of people of his time
who had not yet been ground down by overbearing big government, a pervasive
media, heartless capitalism and babbling call centres. Where
Cartier-Bresson’s iconic photographs could immediately be recognised as a
mid-20th century Paris that vibrantly celebrated its people’s humanity as
they celebrated their city’s very big heart, Santoro’s cityscapes show us
early 21st century city life ­ anonymous, faceless people seen as silent
shadows drifting across papier-mâché tableaus.

My favourite is the shot of a narrow cobblestone street empty save for a figure at the top about to turn
the corner and disappear.

I saw it as a motif of life, the climb up a tough,
steep, rocky incline through the decades until the end is very near, the person
about to disappear around the corner only to reappear somewhere else as a
bronze container of dust cemented into a remembrance wall with hundreds of
other bronze containers or a jumble of bones secreted in a deep black hole
in a long line of deep black holes

Another favourite is the embrace of two lovers not caring if the passing world glimpses their intimacy while unaware that the passing world, seen as an anonymous blurred person, neither male
nor female, slides by them oblivious to their lust.

The idea of family

The image cannot be used or reproduced without the author permission.

©Emy Santoro

Emy Santoro on Catapult magazine

Catapult magazine  is a monthly american art magazine dedicated to showcasing talents from around the world.
The May issue ran a 2-page feature on my photographic work.
It is a very interesting magazine and if you love art it is definitely worth a read.

Quick Sketch

a sketch of my funny crazy work colleague and friend

Riots in Brighton

March for England and counter protest

self portrait with obsessions

Award

My work "The myth of Eve" has received a Special recognition Award for Outstanding art at the recent "Abstracts 2013" art competition held by Light Space & Time On line Art Gallery.


The gallery’s art exhibitions and the “Abstracts” 2013 Art Exhibition can be seen at this  YouTube Channel .

The event catalogue can be seen here:  Event Catalogue

Many thanks to the Gallery Director Mr. John R, Math and the whole judging panel for this award.

Skull

Study of a skull. Pencil on paper

Whatever you are thinking...is wrong.

There is something about the ordinary that can be re framed and proliferate into your imaginary unconsciousness.

"...and if you wanted to you said a prayer. If you didn't want to I guess you just stood there and felt shitty about everything"

Jim Carrol

The myth of Eve

Mixed media. © Emy Santoro

The longest path

I don't usually do landscape photography since I find it quite boring. Landscape photographers tend to use too much photoshop to win over the always growing internet competition to the point of making the subjects unreal.

Although I leave Hollywood like effects to photographers who spend more time on the computer than on the camera I still like sometimes to experiment with this media.

Anyway, the weather is horrible outside!

This was taken in Sicily.

Scopello

I took this picture in Scopello (Sicily) a small village of 80 souls which grew around a baglio (fortified buildings which contained a courtyard, sort of little castles). It still has an intact feudal-Sicily era identity to it and although there's not much to do there (really, the place is microscopic) it is definitely well worth visiting.
I did various shots of this fountain before this one so when this dog suddenly jumped on I was lucky to have the camera already set up to my preferences . I knew it was a matter of seconds before I would lose momentum, no much time to think.
The two pigeons at the other side was another lucky coincidence.
Overall a very atmospheric image that reminds me of my beloved island.

copyright © Emiliano Santoro.
All rights reserved

Quick ink&coloured pencils sketch

Baudelaire

I've always found the  final verses of Elevation written by French poet Charles Baudelaire utterly inspiring.

 There is a transcendental feel to it...a sort of dark Alice in Wonderland poetry. 

Elevation

Fly! Oh, indeed, fly far from this unwholesome place!

Go and be purged in radiance, wheeling higher and higher:

Be drunken, be washed through with the transparent fire,

Be lost in the serene bright solitudes of space!

From these low vapours hanging in the windless air,

From these miasmas fraught with ancient woe and ill,

Most blessed, most fortunate is he who can at will

Take flight into a region luminous and fair —

He whose unwearied thoughts on effortless light wings

Go up like larks at morning, and circle without fear

Above the wakening land — aloof and free — and hear

The voices of the flowers and of all voiceless things!

(as translated by George Dillon in 1936).

Envole-toi bien loin de ces miasmes morbides;

Va te purifier dans l'air supérieur,

Et bois, comme une pure et divine liqueur,

Le feu clair qui remplit les espaces limpides.

Derrière les ennuis et les vastes chagrins

Qui chargent de leur poids l'existence brumeuse,

Heureux celui qui peut d'une aile vigoureuse

S'élancer vers les champs lumineux et sereins;

Celui dont les pensers, comme des alouettes,

Vers les cieux le matin prennent un libre essor,

— Qui plane sur la vie, et comprend sans effort

Le langage des fleurs et des choses muettes!

Double river

I took this photo last year, in Jurmala (Latvia).
I love this image because the feel of loneliness transpires in the simplicity of the composition (basic text book :D). The cold was almost unbearable that day!

Small dogs

Sometimes the line between really brave or completely retarded is very thin

Weird dude staring at me on the bus

This dude pestered me for 30 mins...so he rightfully deserved a drawing.