The Seasons of Reflection: Giorgio Cutini’s Retrospective at Villa Pisani

From December 12, 2024, to March 16, 2025, Villa Pisani in Stra (VE) will host a groundbreaking retrospective of the renowned Perugian photographer Giorgio Cutini, curated by Francesco Trentini, a prominent art historian and representative of the Regional Directorate of National Museums of Veneto. This exhibition, titled “Cutini. Canto delle Stagioni” (Cutini. Song of the Seasons), marks a significant moment for the artist, who is celebrated for his innovative approach to photography that transcends traditional boundaries.

Cutini’s work is characterized by a commitment to exploring the expressive potential of photography, positioning his artistry in stark contrast to conventional photojournalism and neo-realist aesthetics. As one of the signatories of the “Passaggio di frontiera” manifesto alongside notable figures such as Enzo Carli and Mario Giacomelli, Cutini has consistently challenged aesthetic and technical norms, allowing for surprising avenues of visual expression.

“Cutini. Canto delle Stagioni” is not just a retrospective; it is a profound introspection that reflects both personal and universal themes of human experience. The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into three thematic sections:

1. Inquietudine (Unease): This segment captures the artist’s initial excitement and discomfort during moments of life and reality discovery. It conveys the overwhelming presence of nature and the challenge it poses to the artist’s control over his work, leading to the exploration of expressive possibilities beyond conventional techniques.
2. Solitudine (Solitude): Here, maturity invites introspection and a confrontation with the self. In the series titled Egl’io, Cutini engages with the archetype of the tree, providing a reflective space for viewers as he navigates personal and existential inquiries. This section sets the stage for the dominant theme of the next part: Silenzio (Silence).
3. Silenzio (Silence): In this final section, Cutini delves into the essence of his photographic practice, gravitating toward absolute black and white imagery. The profound absence of his father, lost at a tender age, serves as a catalyst for contemplating the inherent void that photography encapsulates. The silence becomes a metaphorical landscape, allowing Cutini to investigate the depths of human experience amidst the vastness of nature.

The exhibition culminates in Requie(m), a space that balances the annihilation of representation with the emergence of images that defy conventional reality. Here, the dominant use of black serves as a resting place—an invitation for contemplation rather than a denial of photography itself. The viewer is encouraged to engage with the temporal nature of perception, reminiscent of the Rothko Chapel in Houston, where darkness becomes a realm of revelation, igniting hope for future imagery.

Cutini’s choice of Villa Pisani as the exhibition venue is intentional; the villa’s extreme symmetry and labyrinthine qualities evoke a sense of disorientation that parallels his artistic journey. The tension between unease and silence is mirrored in the visitor’s experience of the villa, inviting them to reflect on the absence of human figures in Cutini’s work and the profound connection to nature that envelops the estate’s monumental park.

Giorgio Cutini (b. 1947) has always been a pioneer in the field of photography, blending his artistic pursuits with a distinguished career in surgery, where he has made significant advancements in robotic applications and laparoscopic techniques. His artistic evolution has been shaped by influential encounters with figures such as Mario Giacomelli and Enzo Carli, leading to the establishment of the “Passaggio di frontiera” manifesto in 1995.

“Cutini. Canto delle Stagioni” promises to be more than an exhibition; it is an invitation to engage with the intimate and profound layers of human experience, seen through the unique lens of one of contemporary photography’s most innovative artists. Accompanying the exhibition will be a catalog featuring contributions from Cutini, Enzo Carli, Gilberto Marconi, Flavia Orsati, and Francesco Trentini.

Join us at Villa Pisani to explore the seasons of reflection through the evocative photography of Giorgio Cutini, where art and nature intertwine in a compelling dialogue.