Roberto Ghezzi's 'Iceland Still' Explores Time Through Nature

Roberto Ghezzi (Cortona, 1978) discusses his latest project 'Iceland Still', which took him to remote Icelandic wilderness to reflect on time. His practice, rooted in traditional painting at Accademia di Belle Arti, evolved into 'naturografie'—a neologism meaning 'nature writing'. These works involve placing treated canvases (cotton, silk, paper, photographic paper) in landscapes for weeks, allowing natural elements to create the image. Ghezzi collaborates with scientists (biologists, geologists, quantum physicists) to select matrices, locations, and exposure times. For 'Iceland Still', he used a high-definition camera powered by solar panels, shooting every 58 seconds for 24 hours via an intervalometer. The project engages quantum physicists to explore time's nature. Ghezzi emphasizes the performative and processual aspects, enduring extreme conditions (cold, solitude, food scarcity) to let nature 'speak'. His works are presented either as free-hanging 'sindoni' or framed, accompanied by scientific data and travel notebooks. He cites Alberto Burri and Giuseppe Penone as influences. Future projects may include the Amazon rainforest.