VENICE

Venice: A Photographic Tribute By Danilo Rosini, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Director, and Video Producer.This photography book is dedicated to one of the most photographed subjects in the world: the city of Venice. Unique and unrepeatable, the city is a testament to the genius of Venetian architects. It is often referred to as the "upside-down forest," because its trees—the massive wooden pilings upon which the city stands—are not above ground, but submerged deep beneath the water. The foundation for every building was created by marking an area with two rows of parallel pilings, spaced 80 centimeters apart—what are known as indirect perimeter foundations.Why don’t the pilings at the base of the city rot?The pilings rest within a layer of mud or caranto (a dense, compressed clay). Because of this, oxygen cannot penetrate, preventing the chemical reactions that would otherwise cause deterioration. In essence, the mud protects the city’s buildings, keeping them stable and secure. Furthermore, the constant flow of saltwater over time petrifies the wood, making it even stronger and more resilient. It is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind history—one well worth researching! This collection of images is my tribute to this architectural jewel born of Italian ingenuity. My relationship with Venice is multifaceted. I have visited many times—sometimes for work, seeking the quiet space to see the city in solitude, and other times during the Carnival. Amidst the chaos of masks and photographers, the Carnival "actors" have transformed corners of the city into ancient theaters, perfectly in tune with the architecture of the palaces, bridges, and calli (alleyways).This book alternates between sweeping glimpses of the city and environmental portraits of masked figures. I have always captured these portraits exactly as I found them, never staging or altering the scene. Often, I have shared the finished portraits with the subjects themselves, bridging the gap between the photographer and the masked performer. This book features both black-and-white photos of the city and color photos of the Carnival. Read more