Gianni Berengo Gardin (1930–2025): A Life in Black and White

Photographer Gianni Berengo Gardin has died at 95 in Genoa. Born in Santa Margherita Ligure in 1930, he was known for his stark black-and-white documentary work. In 2015, Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro censored his exhibition 'Mostri a Venezia' at Palazzo Ducale, which depicted cruise ships in the lagoon. The show later opened at Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, curated by Alessandra Mauro and Alessandra Mammì, with a room dedicated to the cruise ship series. A tribute book, 'Vera Fotografia' (Contrasto), collected comments from Carlo Verdone, Marco Bellocchio, Franco Maresco, Mimmo Paladino, Jannis Kounellis, Alfredo Pirri, Lea Vergine, Goffredo Fofi, Renzo Piano, Stefano Boeri, Mario Calabresi, Roberto Cotroneo, Domenico De Masi, Ferdinando Scianna, and Sebastião Salgado. Berengo Gardin refused the label 'artist,' calling himself a 'witness of his time.' He shot only film, rejecting digital photography. A current exhibition at Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria in Perugia, 'Camera Oscura' (until September 28), curated by Alessandra Mauro, features his reportage on Giorgio Morandi's studio. The show was organized by Marina Bon Valsassina and Costanza Neve.