Every year in Italy, on the shores of Lake Como, an 1873 Luxury hotel opens its doors to one of the most characteristic automotive event the world as ever seen: il Concorso d'Eleganza di Villa d'Este. On display the most exotic, exuberant, fast and daring automobiles ever built.
“I wanted to focus on every little detail, I wanted the perfect palette to paint my picture of Villa d’Este.”
To pair and match these treasures on four wheels, owners, friends and families don't miss the chance to blend in with the style and era of the different classes of cars joining the concourse.
These artwork on four wheels were designed to tell a story about the past, the present and the future during their times. Each car is a time capsule, an hidden manifesto.
Sometimes they manifest an eulogy to beauty, sometimes a display of power, sometimes the risk of change and sometimes an unheard voice of a generation.
They were born this way, to shift their appearances mostly depending on the light they catch. A strong light would make their details shine and draw a smile on their cheeks. I am talking about those well placed curves which create shadows. Because it is light that give us depht, form, dimensionality, that give us life.
On the 25th of May 2019 the sun was shining and with that strong light the separation between lights and shadows was strong. The sun was a big spotlight for the artworks on display, but that day there was only one thing I wished for: clouds. I needed less aggressive shades, I wanted to tell the full story, I wanted every element to blend in, both owners and guests, cars and architecture. I wanted to focus on every little detail, I wanted the perfect palette to paint my picture of Villa d'Este. Well on that day I had that I wished for: a thunder storm.
So there I was, under heavy rain at Villa d'Este and no quote was more on point then "the show must go on". As we already discussed with Alberto (Car & Vintage CEO,) my focus had to be both on cars and people, I wanted to find a "fil rouge" to tell the story, and I had no idea that the weather condition would do the trick.
“I think of myself not as your average photographer, constantly holding the camera and clicking away, I tend to put my hands behind my back and turn on my “curious retired tourist mode”.”
I think of myself not as your average photographer, constantly holding the camera and clicking away, I tend to put my hands behind my back and turn on my "curious retired tourist mode". I just switch my brain off and I go places, I try to make unusual visual connection and I let my "spider senses" take over. By doing so I could miss important things to cover but I sure find the path to good photos; well I truly hope so.
Unfortunately my full project folder is not home with me but back in my studio in Turin. So please excuse the resolution, I have so many more photographs I would have loved to share with you in this article, but now we stay home, and do what we can with the archive and material we have. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to share the rest with you.
Please enjoy this humble homage to my beautiful country, that has taught me everything about love, joy and beauty. Tieni duro cara Italia, non vedo l’ora di riabbracciarti!
Stay safe, stay home.
Love and Respect,
Def.
