This is Professor Alberto Tomasin's opinion translated into English.
28 Août 1999 Dear friend Bassenko, With my friends of the National Institute for Research, I had the chance, years ago, to be present during the preparation of your work for Venice and its lagoon. Yes, real scientific preparation to sustain and feed your artistic enthusiasm. Documentation on the climate, on typical aspects of the sky and sun, on the nature of soils... This was necessary because of your way of entering with your mind into the objects to be captured, a poetic way, though perfectly conscious of reality. And here finally is the result, a number of pictures so as to astound those who stop, in amazement, to enjoy them, one by one. Venice, the lagoon, day, night... Different things? Indeed, so many different chapters, but the hand ( or rather the heart ) changes not : the heart of a man who wants to conserve with the photography, who wants to display for everyone certain beauties of which words could only give an illusive shadow. To display also for posterity because, this seems impossible, it has happened for centuries that those who see Venice have the feeling that they are among the last fortunate ones. For those who live in Venice, dear Bassenko, you add a particular sensation: of being surprised, almost remorseful for not having noticed this strange corner, this old wall so full of charm, this reflexion on the water that we have nonetheless seen a thousand times before. The eye of the artist perturbs the spectator by highlighting what is commonly accessible, rendering it precious and, the discomfort overcome, offers a rewarding feeling of richness. In showing me your pictures, you asked which group struck me most: you know, it's as if you asked a child whether it loves Daddy more than Mummy... What a trouble! Who hasn't been chosen seems to be diminished. Nevertheless, I have to try: I must say I have been particularly captivated by the nocturnal Venice. The sensation of mystery appears to me to be linked with the idea of a city that is not of today, even if wonderful to live in nowadays, and the night is particularly favourable for experiencing such impressions. There are people, even if sleeping: we are not in Pompeii, we are in a living organism, but still cloaked in ancient beauty, and certainly not for a Carnival masquerade. And the black night, broken by the sober lanterns left by those who sleep, seems to free this past that still lives in the stones and canals. I'd like to say that your photographs are a document, ample, almost complete of Venice and the lagoon: but the word frightens with its coldness, sounds of archives. It's better to define them a passionate homage as with the strain of walking, of rowing, at all hours, trying and trying again, accepting but a unique inspiring presence, you have shown in equal measure your sensibility as an artist and your affectionate impetus for this little world. Maybe some day you will show me wonderful photos of other places, but I find it difficult to believe that I would find the same result: Venice would be jealous of it! Congratulations, dear friend, and remember that some corners of Venice are still waiting for you... Alberto Tomasin( Professor of Cybernetics at the University "Ca' Foscari" of Venice and former researcher of the National Institute for Research ) |
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The Italian original is: