GENOA.- Palazzo Ducale in Genoa commemorates the centennial of Lisetta Carmi’s birth with an extraordinary exhibition that honors her bold and transformative work in photography.
A Trailblazer in Photography and Advocacy
Born in Genoa on February 15, 1924, Lisetta Carmi emerged as a pivotal figure in postwar photography. Her journey was marked by a fearless exploration of diverse social realities, often giving voice to marginalized communities. From her early career as a stage photographer in Genoa's Teatro Stabile to her later ventures into global reportage, Carmi’s work captured the complexities of human existence with striking clarity and compassion.
Immerse yourself in the visionary work of Lisetta Carmi with her celebrated books.
From Genoa to the World
Carmi’s relationship with her hometown is at the heart of the exhibition. Her photographs document Genoa’s multifaceted identity, from the bustling port and industrial Italsider to the city's cultural and social life. Highlights include her iconic black-and-white series on Genoa’s working class and the previously unseen images of the city’s Anagrafe office.
Carmi’s exploration extended far beyond Italy. Over two decades, she traveled to Venezuela, India, Afghanistan, and other distant regions. Her lens became a tool for understanding the human condition, alternating between monochrome and vibrant color to reveal profound truths.
Landmark Works on Display
The exhibition features her groundbreaking 1972 series, I Travestiti, which shed light on Genoa’s transgender community. These photographs, once controversial, are now celebrated as milestones in photographic history. Visitors can also see color versions of this series, rediscovered in 2017, alongside Erotismo e autoritarismo a Staglieno, a study of Genoa’s monumental cemetery that juxtaposes bourgeois contradictions with unexpected sensuality.
A Modern Perspective on Carmi’s Legacy
The exhibition’s curators, Giovanni Battista Martini and Ilaria Bonacossa, present a fresh interpretation of Carmi’s work. Martini highlights her empathetic approach to humanity, while Bonacossa contextualizes her resurgence in contemporary art. "Carmi’s work resonates deeply with today’s focus on gender and inclusion," Bonacossa notes.
The innovative layout, designed by Drama Y Comedias, transforms Palazzo Ducale’s Sottoporticato into a contemporary art space. The design uses walls as metaphors for societal barriers and connections, inviting viewers to engage with the political and social narratives in Carmi’s work.
A Life of Artistic and Spiritual Pursuit
Carmi’s journey was as eclectic as her photographs. Born into a Jewish family, she fled fascist Italy in 1938, later returning after the war to pursue music and eventually photography. Her career transitioned from local assignments to international acclaim, including a celebrated volume on Parisian metro life, Métropolitain. In her later years, she embraced spirituality, founding the Bhole Baba Ashram in Puglia.
A Legacy Remembered
Lisetta Carmi passed away on July 5, 2022, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire. This centennial exhibition, accompanied by a publication from Silvana Editoriale, solidifies her place as a luminary in photography. As Palazzo Ducale’s president Giuseppe Costa remarks, “This exhibition deepens our understanding of a remarkable individual who made freedom her intellectual hallmark.”
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