Photoshow*

20x26,5 cm
272 pages
100 b/w and color photographs
hardcover

Even before being printed in a book to narrate true life (as much as it may seem brutal or idillyc), or to recall the features of a face, since its early years photography has been “exhibited” to audiences. An history of photography narrated through exhibitions and the theory that has accompanied it has never been carried out yet. It would be very interesting, furthermore, to trace back the different aesthetic schools and communication theories that have pointed out the evolution of the history of photography and its public moments par excellence: exhibitions. Installations manifest values, ideologies, politics and aesthetics. An history of photography exhibitions would represent a different and original way of studying photography as a means of expression and contemporary communication. Nowadays photography plays its role on the art and collection market with an unexpected strength and vigour. The discovery and success of a new talent on the market depends on the common work of private galleries, public spaces and the international limelight. The activity of American and European Photography Museums, the numerous great art events and festivals – especially dedicated to the world and market of photography, art galleries that discover new talents and new ways of exhibiting them, all this contributes to a system that works perfectly well presenting new ways of expression for photography, actually widely recognized as heritage of humanity.

Journalist, Alessandra Mauro is graduated in Literature and History. As Curator of Photography she has conceived and organized several exhibitions, among which: William Klein, Rome; Mario Giacomelli, Retrospective; Mimmo Jodice, Lost in seeing, etc., presented in several di"erent venues. As Artistic Director of Forma, Milan, she is responsible for the exhibition program from 2005 on and she has worked on retrospectives and solo shows of several authors, among those: Richard Avedon, Josef Koudelka, Peter Lindbergh, Henri Cartier- Bresson, Martin Parr, Bettina Rheims and many others. As Editorial Director of Contrasto Publishing House, Rome, she has curated and edited several books and catalogues, i.e., My Brother’s Keeper. Documentary Photographers and Human Rights, and Shadows of War. She is also professor of History of Photography at Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Naples.