Alessandra Calò's Photographic Herbarium Merges Botany and Disability
Alessandra Calò, born in Taranto in 1977, has developed 'Herbarium. I fiori sono rimasti rosa', an artist's book released by studiofaganel in a dual edition. This project was commissioned by the Assessorato alle Pari Opportunità of Fotografia Europea in Reggio Emilia. Over four months, Calò collaborated with participants aged 27 to 60 with diverse conditions, converting a room at the Musei Civici into a darkroom. During this process, she uncovered an herbarium created by a 13-year-old named Antonio in 1883. The group gathered local herbs, drawing parallels between weeds and disability. They utilized talbotype methods to create contact prints, with each page featuring talbotypes, performance imagery, and Antonio's writings. The book, which reflects themes from the 'Secret Garden', emphasizes overlooked spaces and is priced at €75, ISBN 9788894662818.
Key facts
- Alessandra Calò created 'Herbarium. I fiori sono rimasti rosa' as an artist's book.
- The book was published by studiofaganel of Gorizia in a double edition.
- The project was commissioned by Fotografia Europea of Reggio Emilia's Assessorato alle Pari Opportunità.
- Calò worked for four months with a group aged 27 to 60 with physical and mental conditions.
- She transformed a room at the Musei Civici into a darkroom.
- The group discovered an herbarium made by 13-year-old Antonio in 1883.
- Participants collected local herbs and weeds around the museum.
- The book uses talbotype contact prints, performance images, and Antonio's words.
- The work draws a parallel between weeds and disability as excluded elements.
- The book costs €75 and has ISBN 9788894662818.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandra Calò
Institutions
- studiofaganel
- Fotografia Europea
- Assessorato alle Pari Opportunità
- Musei Civici
Locations
- Taranto
- Gorizia
- Reggio Emilia