'Between Clouds and Wind: People of Civita', the images by New York photographer Brian Stanton to narrate the magic of one of the world's most beautiful places.
Profili: "In this exhibition, the uniqueness we propose as World Heritage is recounted." Bigiotti: "Understanding the value of a place urges you to protect and preserve it for future generations."
'Between Clouds and Wind: People of Civita', an exhibition by American photographer Brian Stanton, opens on September 25th at Palazzo Alemanni in Civita. A parallel exhibition will be displayed at Casa Civita in Bagnoregio. The exhibitions will remain visible until winter 2022, and all details will be provided in the coming days.
"The candidature process we are undergoing is a great opportunity to reflect on our identity, and Brian Stanton's exhibition, which we wanted to place at the center of this important year for the Bagnoregio community and territory, truly tells the soul of the village. A tribute to our roots, capable of portraying us at our best and becoming a means of promoting and communicating the values of tradition, environmental respect, and a unique dimension of life characterized by slowness and resilience." These are the words of Mayor Luca Profili of Bagnoregio.
"As the site manager of the UNESCO World Heritage candidate site," said Francesco Bigiotti, the sole director of Casa Civita, "we have identified in Stanton's exhibition great potential to represent the values at the foundation of the candidature dossier and to define an authentic image of Civita that aligns with what we believe can be something unique for the world. This awareness, which the ongoing candidature process stimulates and strengthens every day, compels us to focus with great determination on the theme of site preservation, with the aim of delivering it intact to future generations."
Civita, an ancient and unique hilltop town, is sometimes called "The Dying Town" due to earthquakes and landslides threatening its existence. Stanton's photographs capture the spirit of the people living in Civita, who still call it home.
Stanton photographed the village from 2016 to 2019, immersing himself in the community and building sincere relationships with the remaining residents. This exhibition documents the ancient traditions of the people of Civita: chestnut gathering in the valley, grape stomping in the same cellars used by their ancestors since Etruscan times, and the excitement of donkey races through the square twice a year. An emotive sequence of images tells the story of the Good Friday procession, in which inhabitants carry a wooden effigy of the crucified Christ from Civita to Bagnoregio, an unchanged practice for 400 years. While Civita may seem like a place where time has stopped, this exhibition captures the vibrant human spark that still animates the community.
Stanton's photographs also showcase the extraordinary landscape surrounding Civita. Printed in evocative shades of black and white, these images invite the viewer to engage with the drama of the deeply fissured volcanic rock and the arid crests in the clay valleys that characterize the region. These images underline the role that the unique geological conditions of Civita and the Valle dei Calanchi have played in the development of its distinct culture and are the basis for the evaluations that led to the candidacy of Civita di Bagnoregio's Cultural Landscape for UNESCO World Heritage.
Brian Stanton is a photographer from New York. He has specialized in portraits for over 30 years, working closely with design studios, advertising agencies, and major corporations. He studied art history at the University of Florence and lived and worked in Italy for a decade. He received a scholarship from the Civita Institute in 2016.
The exhibition is an event supporting the candidature process, proposed by the Municipality of Bagnoregio and the Lazio Region, with Casa Civita as the site manager. The official exhibition website is at https://www.civita-franuvoleevento.com/.
