Franco Vaccari, Italian conceptual photographer, dies at 89

Franco Vaccari, a pioneering Italian conceptual artist and experimental photographer, has died at 89. Known for his 'real-time exhibitions' (Esposizioni in tempo reale), he gained international fame at the 1972 Venice Biennale with Esposizione in tempo reale n°4, where he installed a Photomatic booth in the 'Comportamento' section curated by Renato Barilli. Visitors could take their own photo strips, and Vaccari stepped back as author, documenting the audience's interaction. His 1979 book 'Fotografia e inconscio tecnologico' (first published by Punto e Virgola, Luigi Ghirri's press) explored photography and technological unconscious, predating Roland Barthes's 'Camera Lucida' by months. Vaccari began with black-and-white photography of Modena, then moved into visual poetry and artist books. He also made films, including 'I cani lenti' (1971) with a Pink Floyd soundtrack. His late work 'Provvista di ricordi per il tempo dell'Alzheimer' was an autobiographical photo book. Vaccari collaborated with galleries like p420 and Emilio Mazzoli. He died in Modena.