Radici. Views on the exhibition

On the social media channels of the Ara Pacis, a detailed analysis of the exhibition "Josef Koudelka. Radici (Roots). Historical evidence, the enigma of beauty"

The meetings, created and organised by theSovrintendenza Capitolina and Contrasto, in partnership with Fondazione Forma per la Fotografia and with the assistance of the Centro Ceco di Roma, Ambasciata della Repubblica Ceca in Italia, will feature four exceptional guests: the photographer Andrea Jemolo (13 April) who will propose a discussion about the meaning of photography of the city, architecture and memory; the archaeologist Simone Foresta (11 May) who will explain how photography can help to create a feeling for the ancient: beauty and confusion, order and chaos, wonder and disquiet; the geographer Franco Farinelli (15 June) who will investigate the topicality of myth and the "mythological" character of Koudelka's photography; the archaeologist Emanuele Greco (6 July) who will explore the archaeological context where the Czech photographer's images were taken.

In an open and involving dialogue, each speaker will offer his or her own view of Josef Koudelka's extraordinary photographic journey to discover the roots of our history: one hundred spectacular panoramic images, many of them large format. The work presented is the result of a unique project that lasted thirty years, exploring and portraying with tenacity and continuity some of the most representative and important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

The special features proposed will be an opportunity to look from different perspectives at the extraordinary black and white photographs presented in the exhibition by the Czech photographer and taken in Syria, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Cyprus (North and South), Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Albania, Croatia and, of course, Italy. Visitors are guided through an unusual and highly personal reflection on the ancient, on the landscape, on the beauty that " inspires and sustains reflection". The timeless landscapes, rich in soul and charm, characterized by unexpected, uncertain and ambitious perspectives, represent Koudelka's visual vocabulary and stylistic style. Avoiding the simple illustration and documentation of ruins, this artist gives a breath of fresh air to the ruins of ancient Mediterranean civilizations, representing them in an eternal dialogue between what is visible and what is hidden, between mystery and evidence.

The exhibition is illustrated by the volume Radici published by Contrasto.