Writing With Light; before there was Photoshop

I told you about this exhibit last month, there was a soft opening for famed photographer Vittorio Storaro at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery. This month, on Saturday, December 6, there is an opening party and opening for the photography exhibit of the three-time Academy Award winner. The noted cinematographer and author has some amazing work on display at the “Writing with Light: The Civilta Romana Collection” exhibit. The reception this Saturday is from 6 pm to 10 pm. 

Vittorio, who earned Oscars for Best Cinematographer in Apocalypse Now (1979), Reds (1981) and the Last Emperor (1987), is widely hailed for his cinematographic achievements and photographic vision. He received a fourth Academy Award nomination for Dick Tracy (1990) and served as cinematographer for such other notable films as Last Tango in Paris, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Ishtar and Bulworth.

Vittorio Storaro

Showcasing Vittorio’s natural talent for conquering light, the exclusive exhibition will present the culmination of a never-before-seen project that began in the late 1980s. During a five-year period, he traveled throughout Italy, Syria, Turkey, Greece and other locations that once belonged to the Roman Empire, to document ruins and preserve their magnificence for future generations.

The Civilta Romana Collection showcases Vittorio’s use of double exposure, long before digital photography and Photoshop were available to create the same effects. By combining two or more stunning images into one, the revered artist provides a unique perspective of the Roman Civilization.

Personal photos, featuring several celebrity portraits from his award-winning film career, will also be on display. Vittorio, the son of a film projectionist, began studying photography at the age of 11. His early films were made in his homeland of Italy. His first major film, The Conformist, was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and marked the first of their many collaborations. He went on to work with such legendary directors as Francis Ford Coppola, Warren Beatty and Richard Donner. 
  
In addition to the three Academy Awards, Vittorio's many awards and accolades have included a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers and he has also received awards from various film academies such as: David di Donatello (Italy), BAFTA (Great Britain), Goya (Spain), Emmy (US) and the European Film Award.  
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and by appointment.  The “Writing with Light: The Civilta Romana Collection” exhibition by Vittorio Storaro will run from December 6 to January 3, 2015. 

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery is located at the Mayfair Atrium.

SEMINARS
In addition to the art opening, Vittorio Sotaro is having two seminars, on Saturday December 6 at the Bill Cosford Cinema (5030 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables) from 11 am to 2 pm and Sunday, December 7 at Paragon Grove 13 from 2:30 pm to 5 pm.


Seating is limited. Please RSVP to 305-284-4861 for the Bill Cosford Cinema location and 305-446-6843 for the Paragon Grove 13 location.