GLIMPSES OF THE WORLD – Riccardo Acerbi

Solo exhibition by Riccardo Acerbi

Curated by Ludovica Palmieri

Opening: March 15 | 6:00 PM

On March 15, the photography exhibition "Glimpses of the World" (*Sguardi dal Mondo*)—a solo show by Riccardo Acerbi curated by Ludovica Palmieri—opens at Palazzo Velli.

Commissioned and produced by Alberto de Marinis—a patron and art enthusiast—and open to the public until March 23 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM), the exhibition features a substantial body of photographs and two video installations. These works take visitors on a metaphorical journey through various countries that hold special significance for the artist.

Italy, the United States, Brazil, England, South Africa, and Eastern Europe are portrayed through the lens of Riccardo Acerbi—an actor by profession and a photographer by passion. His images are intimate and often quiet; the artist seeks to capture specific situations and moments of life rather than offering the loud, spectacular depictions of iconic landmarks typically seen elsewhere. As a self-taught photographer who has always felt a deep symbiosis with his camera, Acerbi’s approach is immersive, immediate, and spontaneous.

A powerful sense of freedom—stemming from his philosophy of life—emerges from his work, manifesting in a photographic style free from dogma, convention, or technical rigidity. For this seasoned traveler, the camera is a tool to give voice and visual form to what he sees and experiences. In his work, substance prevails over form, and creative urgency and passion take precedence over technical perfection. It does not matter if a frame is imperfect or an image slightly blurred; what counts is blending into reality, living the moment, and literally capturing the hic et nunc—the here and now. The artist achieves and amplifies this goal by eschewing multiple exposures. Indeed, despite using an SLR camera, each work is the product of a single shot—as if the purity of his gaze were imprinting itself directly onto the photographic paper, unfiltered. This creative process imbues the images with the genuine freshness that permeates the exhibition. Conversely, the meticulous printing technique creates an oxymoron, sparking an emotional resonance that captivates the viewer. There is nothing premeditated in Acerbi’s photographs; everything simply unfolds. The subtle differences that emerge in his depictions of various countries thus stem from a sense of freedom.