Interview: Gabriele Zocchi
Luca Curci talks with Gabriele Zocchi, winner of the Honorable Mention during the ITSLIQUID International Contest – 7th edition.

Gabriele Zocchi is an Interior Designer, born and grown up in Milan where he completed his studies at the Politecnico University of Milan. During the period of studies at the University he had the chance to achieve some competences and increase his interest in photography he has always been very interested in. When he started cooperating with mayor architectural studies he focused himself on this new area taking pictures of historical monuments, either classical or modern, of his native city specializing himself in contemporaneous architectures. Thanks to his work experiences he often travelled abroad, mainly in Europe to visit the principal cities. He generally prefers a scientific approach to photography, starting from the analysis of the territory, choosing the aspects of interest, gathering all the necessary information. In a second phase he uses to study with great attention other photographers’ production to learn the correct exposure and shot. When he arrives in situ he focuses in the different architectural elements, the shapes and their volumes in order to give life to a photography never done before with a correct study of composition from a mathematical and geometrical perspective.

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Gabriele Zocchi – In my past there were some experiences in photography: my grandfather was keen on photography to which he initiated me. I have been awarded twice in my junior high school, but later I thought I had lost interest till I attended the university graduating in Interior Design at Politecnico of Milan and I realized my growing passion for architecture and related aspects. By then I started traveling alone shooting.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in the society? And contemporary art?
GZ – The artist plays a prevalent role in the society even if the majority of people do not pay attention to this figure. Artist can unveils you the reality of things or at least could helps you to figure it out; he could makes you open your eyes, stop by and reflect on what surrounds you, even introspective thinkings. Especially in contemporary art, where the artist has plenty of ways to express him/herself and spread the message, it is all about choosing how you want to get to the people, and stimulate them with today’s instruments.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
GZ – Most of the inspiration I get comes from the social network, especially Instagram and Flickr, but I also do love to read architectural magazines that show both external buildings or structures and interiors. On the other hand, walking on the streets of my city and glancing on different sites, could help me get some inspirations.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
GZ – Being an artist today could be overrated, that is to say: doing something that attracts people, gaining approvals and being someone known is pretty simple nowadays. Social network help you growing and push your career respect from the past where you were supposed to follow an iter and paying your duse. Todays it seems everyone could be an artist but doesn’t drive any message or stimulate you; there is a saturation of artists so the attention on the quality is growing up and up more.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
GZ – I started my personal, and on this life period, architectural visualization focusing on details, on strong ones such as a corner shot, a particular geometry effect and so on. With the passing of time and my analysis going deeply I was more focused on scale, ratio and entirety of the subject I shoot to evaluate the relationship between buildings with people and context. Maybe my maturation will bring me in unexpected fields.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
GZ – Of course I do! every platform that promotes everybody’s work and let everyone know it, is surely an opportunity and also a great goal for the artists.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
GZ – Sure I did, since sending my pictures in the first stage, because I wanted to make a good impression and when I was awarded with this Honorable Mention I was really proud of that so I can’t wait to go further with ItsLiquid.