Sicilian tales, by Melo Minnella
From November 15 to November 20
from 10 to 17
Opening 18th of November at 5pm
Abbotsford Convent – The Store
“Photography is that moment that captures a unique balance between fact and emotion, between substance and form. It is through this medium that Melo Minella masterfully tells the story of his Sicily” Racconti Siciliani is an invitation to retrace a poetic visual journey, full of love and dedication to the diversity of the Sicilian territory.
The exhibition goes back over 50 years of the artist’s journey, and shows his ability to bring to light the beauty of the island thanks to a calm and minimalist style and aesthetics. A passionate photographic reportage in which color images alternate harmoniously with black and white. Melo Minnella describes with his camera, an island far from stereotypes, a joyful and festive people, captures celebrations, religious festivals and moments of folklore which are echoed by the joy of everyday moments.
Each figure always appears in harmony with the environment that surrounds it, both in the city context and in dialogue with nature, with the details of Sicilian architecture and archeology. Minnella’s perspective is absolutely contemporary in its paying homage to the splendor of the entire island, in timeless moments. The photographer with his eclectic style ranges from street reportage to landscape photography, playing in the composition with the geometric elements inherent in agricultural contexts. With lyricism he describes the Sicilian countryside transforming the peasant landscape into a metaphysical place, sometimes similar to Escher’s fantastic architecture.
He has a tender and knowing gaze in capturing the carefree happiness of children’s games on film, their chasing each other and taking sides as guards and thieves, the lively energy between running jumps and shy smiles. The author creates photographs that crystallize times, landscapes and faces in a constant search for authenticity.
BIO_Minnella’s career began in the 1950s, when Italy was in full swing. He was in his early twenties when he began to explore the Sicilian universe with his camera, taking an interest above all in popular art, anthropology and archaeological sites. He becomes a collaborator with the most important periodicals of the time, especially with Mario Pannunzio’s Il Mondo.
His great love is India. His photographs are published by Life, Stero, Schweizer lllustrierte. He makes numerous publications after his first book, “Sicily in the eyes” (1971); “Easter in Sicily”, “Fiorio ceramics”, “Journey to Sicily”, “The enchanted garden of Filippo Bentivegna”, “Giacomo Serpotta”, ” Sicily, land of myth», «Mediterranean cuisine», «Christmas in Sicily». Among his most successful books, «Historic residences of Sicily».