Comments on: Marco Vernaschi / Biophilia

By: David McGowan

David McGowan — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:41:06 +0000

I keep coming back to this series feeling like I’m looking at high contrast stills from surreal Italian or Swedish films from the 40’s or 50’s. Not that I know European film history that well, but I get that “Seventh Seal” vibe. It’s a series that’s gentle on the eyes, but you feel that there is something uneasy lying beneath.

Maybe this uneasiness is just what I’m reading into it, but I get a sense that this series is conveying a sense of finality. Not the absolute end, but the possibility of the end. A finality that says this might be the last time you see me grow… this might be the last time my mane blows in the wind… you may never see fear in my eyes this way… I may not feel the sun tomorrow… this could be the last time you touch my skin… this might be my last trip down this road… this is the last time you’ll see me die.

I’m sure it’s not that bleak though.

By: JB

JB — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:14:01 +0000

Stunning. Truly lovely work! The pictures are living poetry. It’s a rare privilege to have a glimpse on the concepts behind the images, and even more rare to discover such deep perspective.

I love this way to turn ideas into magic – this series blows my mind!!

-JB

By: marcovernaschi

marcovernaschi — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:34:44 +0000

Thanks for question.

As I mentioned, death is not meant to work as shocking or disturbing element. It’s rather about the contemplation of a stage of transition, which talks about a process of transformation. You describe the “shock” resulting from images of death as a possible distraction; the shock is an instinctive, emotional answer, which should lead to a series of questions. So, there’s nothing obvious about it. Rather than distracting, these elements increase thinking. Or at least this is how it works for me.

You wrote that these photographs are sensuous and stimulating; if you start seeing death as a transition, you will understand its beauty. And if you manage to see the beauty within, then you’ve already started the process.

By: papermilitant

papermilitant — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:44:29 +0000

Having grown up in a culture fascinated with death, I bypassed the shock of the concept inherent in these images and dived into them. Rather than disturbing I found these images extremely sensuous and visually stimulating.
Having said that, I’m curious if the artist minds the obvious element of shock resulting from the use of images dealing with sex and death. Is it bothering that it becomes a distraction from the image as an entity?

By: foliasmusic

foliasmusic — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:43:22 +0000

Deeply stirring photos…also it is nice to hear someone speak about their work and the creative process with intelligence and honesty. I’m very inspired to keep working creatively and also glad to know about someone who is interested in the process of questioning more than than the product of answering.