Fotografia europea. European photography. Umanotroppoumano. Human all too human

Following last year's research on the European identity, the body is the focus at the third edition of "Fotografia Europea".
The photo show based in Reggio Emilia chose to carry out a close study of the body, in its "human, all too human" aspects. The catalogue of the exhibition opens with the work of five European artists, who have been selected for their historical value: Raoul Hausmann, "anti-photographer" and photomontage enthusiast;
Wols, a leading figure of Informal Art but not as well-known as a photographer; Paolo Gioli, an artist famous for his incessant experimenting; Jorge Molder, a photographer who developed an interest in shadows;
Pierre et Gilles, the French duo who's made a name for their glossy images and here presents an original project, in which disturbing human shapes are being deformed by mirrors.
Moving from such an historical premise, the volume goes on to examine the work of some Italian photographers, whose projects have focused - with different styles and methodologies - on the human body, and compares it to the work of three renowned artists: Edward Steichen, Bettina Rheims and Luigi Ghirri. Finally, the book presents a collection of works by other European photographers, such as: Erwin Olaf, Aneta Grzeszykowska, Ann-Sofi Sidén and Antoine D'Agata.
Keeping the layout already used in last year's catalogue, "Fotografia Europea 2008" also includes a selection of short essays by scholars and critics, such as Umberto Galimberti, Vitaliano Trevisan, Walter Siti, Giovanni De Luna, Ruggero Pierantoni, Nicola Dusi, as well as an interview with sociologist Derrick De Kerckhove.