Cristian Iacono‘s (2002) photographic project, A Pristine Landscape, is an inner journey reflecting on the deep and complex bond between human beings and nature. For the photographer, it is not just about exploring the aesthetics of landscapes, but delving into their inner essence so as to lead to deeper reflection. In this sense, the shots become a pretext for Iacono to read himself and, likewise, an invitation for the viewer to “look inside.” A kind of photographic introspection that starts from the individual and widens to a collective gaze.

The shots in this series in particular are imbued with a strong melancholy that comes into sharp contrast with the romanticism they conceal. The human figure becomes ethereal, extemporaneous, almost taking a back seat to the surrounding nature. It does not want to be the protagonist but wants to mold itself with it. In spite of this reflective approach, Cristian Iacono shows a certain conscious look toward contemporary taste, winking at typical magazine editorials.

The places Cristian Iacono researches become places of the soul and psyche, ideal spaces in which the figures depicted are nothing but projections of himself. Through A Pristine Landscape, Iacono creates a continuous dialogue between inner worlds and ideal realities. Each image is an attempt to communicate wonder and admiration for nature, prompting deep reflection on our relationship with the planet.

Courtesy Cristian Iacono