Contemporary Landscape Photographer Presentation: Gabriele Basilico

Biography: Gabriele Basilico was born in Italy in 1944. He is one of the most well known photographers of European cities and industrial landscapes. He was originally an architect, and worked as a photographer of architecture for several different firms. He studied architecture in Milan, Italy during the late 1960's.

Significance:  The following images were from his exhibition titled, "Intercity." These are different images and perspectives of cityscape. Basilico has a fascination with cities appearing as densely collaged environments. What was unique with his cityscape photographs is how he incorporated his technical mastery and obsession of contrast and tonal richness along with the post-industrial subjects he depicts in each image.

Composition: In the image above I really enjoy his use of framing. He incorporates the reflection of the wet street into the photograph that gives another aspect to enjoy. The perspective works well too I believe because it seems to be an actual view some individual could experience just walking down the sidewalk. He focuses a lot on contrast, and I believe he does an excellent job working with the contrast and balance of this photograph as a whole. The contrast brings out the sharp defined edges of the architecture which is quite pleasing.

Concept: Basilico wanted to portray a sense of architectural alienation from humans that strengthens the appearance of the cities he photographed. There is a coldness with no human forms being present which leads the viewer to look deeper into the image and enjoy the richness of contrast that he has to offer.

Method: He was educated as an architect which allows him the understanding of space and how one can use it to express oneself. In many of his photographs he tries to depict the architecture and or structures as unyielding. By doing this he intentionally creates a mystery of the residents and interiors of such subjects.

Motivations: I touched upon this is several of the other categories, but he wants to create an image that refrains giving out much information about what lies within.

I really do enjoy his photograph of architecture. I chose him first off because he has studied in the architectural field and that is what I am studying as well. His work however is different because of the contrast and meaning he has behind each image. He really does make you wonder what lies within each one of these pieces of architecture, because no information is divulged at all. When looking at these photographs I almost feel a sense of coldness to the separation from the human form that he does create.