Introducing: Vittorio Mortarotti

Over the last few years, Vittorio Mortarotti realized projects with political refugees, former miners, prostitutes, tsunami survivors and war veterans. His book "The First Day of Good Weather" was shortlisted for “The First Book Award 2015” and published by Skinnerboox the same year. In 2015 he won the Leica Prize at the Biennial Images of Vevey together with Anush Hamzehian. Vittorio has been nominated by Fondazione Camera as part of Futures in 2018 .

What are the main themes that drive your practice? What inspires you?

I am interested in the relationship we have with memory. In the way memories can be revealed through our acts. I am also interested in the dynamics of reconstruction of past and the different methods we all use to deal with traumas.

With the recent publication of the book “Most Were Silent” (Skinnerboox, 2018) I’ve finished a sort of trilogy made in collaboration with my friend and colleague Anush Hamzehian on the interferences that History can have on private fates.

How would you describe your relationship to the medium and how you use photography to express yourself?

For me, It’s not about the medium. Since a few years I am working on video and films also. So let’s say…I love photography, but I am not committed to it.

What did you take away from the Futures meeting during UnseenAmsterdam?

Unseen was a splendid occasion to discover new bodies of work by the other photographers involved in the Futures Program.