Barbara di Maio – I’ve always had a real passion for visual anthropology
Interview in english and greek by Evdoxia Fasoula
I find it extremely interesting that you are involved in social and anthropological photography. How would you describe this photographic genre and how did you get introduced to it?
I’ve always had a real passion for visual anthropology. I’m not an anthropologist myself, but I love observing and studying human beings, especially from a photographic point of view. It all started with a book by the amazing Italian anthropologist Professor Paolo Apolito. In his book La Religione degli Italiani, he talks about all the most important religious processions in Italy and includes lots of photos by the wonderful anthropologist Annabella Rossi. It was such an inspiring read for me, and I loved the work of the amazing photographer Cristina Garcia Rodero too!
Barbara di Maio
How did you experience your studies in New York? Would you single out some moments that were really impactful for you?
The School of Photography in New York and Rome, Italy was just the beginning of a long and wonderful journey of learning and growing in photography. I was so lucky to have the chance to study with some truly amazing masters, each of whom left a lasting impression on me. I deepened my technical skills and understanding of light, but then I decided to take a different path, allowing my own unique style and vision to flourish. I don’t have any specific memories, but I do remember meeting some truly inspiring professionals who encouraged me to push myself and be the best photographer I could be.
Barbara di Maio
Which photographers do you think you carry, to this day, in your own photography?
I’m so grateful to my wonderful teacher, Ernesto Bazan, for inspiring me and guiding me in my photography. Then there’s Letizia Battaglia, whom I got to meet and take a workshop with in Naples. She’s such a great source of inspiration for me! And of course, there are many other photographers who have inspired me, including Cristina Garcia Roeder, whom I consider to be a true muse in my life. Reading photography books by other photographers is also a great source of inspiration for me. I always make it a point to read as many photography books by different photographers, including contemporary ones, as I can!
Barbara di Maio
At some point you founded the WomeninStreetItaly together with Francesca Tiboni. What are the goals and the artistic spirit of this female photography collective?
Francesca and I met at the Street Photography Festival in Istanbul, and we hit it off right away! We decided to team up and promote women’s photography. We want to encourage more women to take up photography and give them a platform to showcase their work both in Italy and abroad. We have lots of exciting plans in the works, including workshops and exhibitions. In the future, we’ll be inviting and selecting the women photographers who follow us. Our instagram page is still new, but we already have a great community of supporters!
Barbara di Maio
What do you think are the characteristics of the contemporary Italian street photography scene?
Italy is a great country for photographers! It’s so inspiring to have beautiful cities to capture on camera. Each photographer has their own unique vision of street photography, which really reflects their personality. There are no rules or models to follow, so it’s totally up to you how you want to express yourself.
Barbara di Maio
You recently participated in the Italian Street Photo Festival. Could you describe to us this important event and especially your personal experience during it?
It was such a lovely experience! The guest of honour, Martin Parr, gave a fascinating talk with Matt Stuart, and I met so many wonderful photographers and enthusiasts. I think these occasions are so important for us to share our passion and exchange views on our path. The standard of the photos in the competition was really impressive, and Stefano Mirabella and Alex Liverani did a fantastic job. I’m already looking forward to next year!
Barbara di Maio
From your first solo exhibition, ‘Japan Katana Urban Cuts’ until today, do you single out any important creative moments for you?
I’ve had so many creative moments since then! Japan was an absolutely unforgettable trip. I worked on colors and a lot on street photography, and it was a trip organized with Leica with the photographer Eolo Perfido.
Barbara di Maio
How do you envision your creative self in the near future?
I’m on a mission! I’ve been called upon to document the history of traditions in order to leave a trace for those who will want to know and know more in the future. I don’t want all my work to go to waste. I’m so excited to share that one day many of my projects will be part of the archive of popular traditions at the Central Institute for Intangible Heritage in Rome, with which I have already collaborated on projects.
Bio
Barbara Di Maio has devoted herself to photography from a very young age. Conference interpreter and translator, she attended the ICP the International Center of Photography in New York where she developed her photographic technique in fashion and portrait photography. She won a scholarship for the Master in Photojournalism and Reportage at the School of Photography and Cinema in Rome. For ten years she focused mainly to anthropological and social photography,
investigating and documenting folklore and the old traditions in Campania and throughout Italy.
In 2017 she organized her first solo exhibition Japan Katana Urban Cuts an unprecedented look at Japan and Tokyo, reconstructed through a visual journey based on colors and references to modernity and the hectic life in the Japanese metropolis. Her photographs have been awarded and published in international photography magazines and collectives. Based on her project A’ Maschkarata, she was selected by the Digital Archive Futuro Arcaico as an artist for research on territorial identity and folklore.
Her project, Mysteries of Trapani was recently published in the art magazine MoleArt.
She is currently collaborating with the Central Institute for Intangible Heritage for the project ‘Intangible ties in festive landscapes’. The project won the call for proposals ‘Photography Strategy 2022’ promoted and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity.
Barbara Di Maio
