Christian Martinelli retrospective at Kunst Meran explores horizon photography

Kunst Meran – Merano Arte presents 'Incontrare Christian Martinelli', a retrospective of artist and photographer Christian Martinelli (Merano, 1970 – Innsbruck, 2022). Curated by Ursula Schnitzer and Anna Zinelli, the exhibition features Martinelli's large-format camera 'Cube' with reflective aluminum walls, using a Nikon 890 mm lens to create unique, high-quality images directly on paper without negative/positive processing. The special photographic paper and chemicals are no longer in production; Martinelli acquired the last worldwide stock and produced about 300 works. A key project 'Confini' documented horizons along all Italian coasts over five years. The 'Stories' series, spanning over 20 years, chronicles the lives of 14 people addressing vulnerability, love, birth, abandonment, and death. 'Solitudini' comprises over 20 years of photographs of isolated trees, towers, or buildings as poetic reflections. The exhibition also includes furniture from Martinelli's studio and home Villa Dolores, which served as an exhibition space and cultural hub. The 'Gallery Van', a small caravan used for workshops and exhibitions, is reactivated with itinerant workshops 'Alla ricerca di tracce' led by Fabian Haspinger (Silbersalz Photography), promoting analog photography for younger generations.