Interview: Enrico Matarazzo
Luca Curci talks with Enrico Matarazzo during MIXING IDENTITIES, second appointment of CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2023, held in Venice, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, and during LONDON CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR – 8th edition in London, at THE LINE Contemporary Art Space.

“I started taking pictures at the end of 2019, for fun. Before that, music was my main passion: I used to have two bands, but growing up I realized that music wasn’t enough. I needed to do more in order to express what is in my head. In the first months of 2020, during the quarantine, I started studying photography seriously, reading books and watching documentaries about it. Late in 2021, I tried street photography for the first time and it was love at first shot”.

Luca Curci – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
Enrico Matarazzo – To me, storytelling is the most important part of a photo. When you can see something in the frame and let your imagination write a movie about it. And when storytelling also comes with good composition is where I can see and feel the power of photography.

LC – When did you realize that photography could also be a life lens?
EM – It has been a very slow process. I started taking pictures in late 2019, right before the covid outbreak. At the end of 2021, I moved to Milan and wanted to take as many portraits as I can, but I have started to see new things roaming the streets. I have started to see beauty in the streets and absolutely fell in love with the endless possibility of storytelling of the city. Now street photography is the biggest part of my work, but I do enjoy taking portraits too.

LC – What do you think about art on social media? Are they turning into the new showcases of contemporary art?
EM – I think that social media is no more the right terms to describe Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The social part is now almost gone and everybody wants to stand out from the crowd. This makes art less special if you are not able to do something just because you want instead of doing it for likes. Anyway yes, “social media” are a great way to show your work, but the competition is fierce.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
EM – As I said before, I switched from doing only portraits to doing street photography for the most part. My style has changed a lot but also my vision of the world did. At first, it was only colors, then black and white, now I am trying to reintroduce colors again in my works but in a more mature way.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
EM – My subjects are various and for the most part it is all about instinct, especially in the streets, where you have to deal with what the city offers that day. I try to focus more on older people because they seem to have much more to say but in a strange and “subconscious” way. But as previously said, you have to deal with what the city offers at that moment. For portraits is a bit different because I tried to image a scene and then find a specific person for the role.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this event? How is it connected to the theme of the entire exhibition?
EM – I choose this photo in particular because “mixing identities” to me two people with two different story, walking the same exact path, the same exact day, could mean that their identities could have been mixed even for just a few moments. They probably never be “together” ever again. This whole thing was not in my mind at all when I was there, my photos are about instinct and I prefer to let the viewers find their own meanings in my photos rather than me. Anyone can see something different.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
EM – The previous answer fits better here probably, but I can tell you something more about the process. I took the shot during a break. I had like 3 hours before going back to work. I saw the spot and I thought that it could be cool to have two people walking in the same spot because it is very symmetrical. I don’t remember exactly how much time has passed, but it was like an hour to have everything in the right place, the right characters. It is funny because a lot of my photos are made in this exact way, I could say that I achieved some sort of zen patience in the street.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
EM – I think that ITSLIQUID GROUP represent a great opportunity for all the artists out there. Giving the opportunity to emerging artists to share their works is not something you see every day.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
EM – It was great! Giulia reach out to me and she has been very professional but also very kind. I met also some other members of the staff and everyone was so friendly and professional.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
EM – I surely recommend a collaboration with ITSLIQUID GROUP. Great experience, great locations and you also have the possibility to see new works from various artists around the world.