Taking 13 months to complete, the photographic series “1503” by Christian Tagliavini was largely inspired by the masters of the Renaissance, notably Agnolo di Cosimo ( known as “Il Bronzino”). And all characters are portrayed in striking handcrafted clothes made by Tagliavini himself.
From beginning to completion, Tagliavini’s work is a labour of love. He admits that he enjoys the process as much as the resulting photograph.
Swiss-Italian, born in 1971, educated in Italy and Switzerland, where he lives and works as a photographer. This provides him the perfect frame and background to invent, create and totally produce images that blend fine arts and craftsmanship.
And no, these are not simply images, as Lugano-based Christian Tagliavini loves designing stories with open endings (requiring observer’s complicity) on unexplored themes or unusual concepts, featuring uncommon people with their lives and their thoughts made visible. His career as an architect and designer also influenced his career as an artist to invent, create and produce works. His pieces of art are not only pictures but complex designed narrations for which Christian Tagliavini produces all objects by himself: from the interieur to the clothings of the portrayed persons. With this unique feature in the world of photo art he is considered to actually be a photographic craftsman.
His series “1503”, showcased here, has been part of international exhibitions and is sought-after body of work on the art market.
