“A Focus on Italian Heritage” in Doha

The best of Italian classical architecture, painting and sculpture is reflected in the images of three great Italian photographers in the “A Focus on Italian Heritage” exhibition that opened in Doha today at the exhibition space of the Katara Cultural Village. Organised by the Italian Embassy in Qatar and curated by the Spazio Nuovo-Roma art gallery, the exhibition kicks off the Embassy’s cultural programme for 2019 and will run until 30 January. The 16 photographs displayed were taken by Riccardo Ajossa, Camilla Borghese and Olivier Roller, three artists who use a camera to reinterpret Italy’s immense artistic heritage, especially that of Graeco-Roman origin. In particular, Olivier Roller dwells on the details of the classical statues of the Roman civilization to explore the human trait of power while Camilla Borghese focuses on the perspective effects created by the monumental buildings of antiquity, and Riccardo Ajossa re-examines fragments of Italian Renaissance painting, enhancing and highlighting the range of shades of colour. When opening the exhibition, the Italian Ambassador to Qatar, Pasquale Salzano, said: “The artists’ approach reflects the great contribution that photography can make to ‘cultural diplomacy’ by capturing instants and catching moments. This form of artistic expression simultaneously helps to define the past, build the present and influence the vision of the future. Photography thus constitutes a powerful instrument to stimulate emotions and engender new ideas.” Ambassador Salzano added: “Italy and Qatar share the same vision of culture: both Countries have committed to preserve and promote their artistic heritage and make it legally accessible so as to foster social development and intergenerational dialogue.” The Ambassador said that the exhibition is part of the fruitful cooperation and dialogue established between Italy and Qatar. Ambassador Salzano closed his speech with a wish: “I wish to all the exhibition visitors to have an exciting voyage across Italy’s extraordinary artistic heritage.”