Realpolitik: Photographic Project Subverts Italian Political Communication

Luca Santese and Marco P. Valli's 'Realpolitik' series subverts the self-crafted iconography of Italy's 'Third Republic' politicians, particularly their meticulous use of social media. The project hijacks standard political imagery, replacing selfies with portraits, crowds with isolation, and confidence with awkwardness. The work is published in numbered volumes by independent press Cesura Publish, with the first volume 'Boys Boys Boys' released on March 4, 2018, the day of elections that led to the 'yellow-blue' government. A second edition followed on June 2, 2018, the day after the government formed, printed in black and white. On the same date, the artists photographed Republic Day celebrations in Rome, leading to a third volume 'Popolopopolo' featuring Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and citizens. 'Lega Nord Party', the fourth volume, was published on September 21, 2018, compiling seven years of documentation of the Lega Nord's annual rally in Pontida. A fifth volume focusing on Five Star Movement activists is in progress. The project aims to define the visual identity of the Third Republic era, with images appearing on traditional media like Time Magazine. Exhibitions are planned to create collective situations rather than conventional displays.