From reproducing identical images of static objects to creating movement out of still images and stills out of moving images, photography, in its most basic form, has certainly come a long way. But, when it comes to capturing the intangible within a human, another player must enter the field of optics and illusion.
In his most recent photographic exhibition, Handsome, Tonio Lombardi shows us snippets of what the progression from external to internal clarity entails, on both a photographic and intellectual level, but perhaps, even more importantly – on a spiritual level.
Essentially, each photograph on display involves only four main components – darkness, light, a black human figure and bluish-green hands. Yet, just as any musical composition involves the same eight notes, the different use of these four elements renders each photo unique.
Another common component of each work is silence. Indeed, it is the pauses between the notes that makes music pleasant, harmonious and expressive. Upon taking up the invitation of each photograph to be still, to observe and silently reflect, the result is likewise.
Through silence, in fact, one may start to comprehend meaning in all that seems to be devoid of mean-ing. Be it physical or abstract, or a combination of both, Lombardi’s photgraphs are thus begging for us to interact with them in order to unveil their meaning.
Lombardi’s photographs are begging for us to interact with them in order to unveil their meaning
In preparing for this exhibition, Lombardi wanted to communicate his concern of living in a world where money is held as the supreme good. He wanted to explore the world of values and possibly that of virtues which should contribute to wellbeing.
In my initial conversation with the artist it emerged that while preparing each shooting session he was still not sure of how each photo would express his disquiet and preoccupations. It soon became evident, though, that his thoughts and reflections were subconsciously made concrete through his photos.
However, his greatest contribution to the exploration of values, is not through what is immediately evident, but through his ability to communicate a sense of interiority of the human subject, to a sense of the need to go beyond what is immediately tangible or apparent.
All too often we give importance to the here and now and to concrete results, including pleasure or profit. Yet, what these photos seem to communicate is that the material concreteness that may be symbolised by the coloured hands is only but a smaller dimension of a reality that is much larger and that is most of the times hidden in the shadows. It is a reality left unseen, only to be lit up by a transcendental reality.
The darkness and shadows are not something to be afraid of, but are pointers to a deeper mystery – which, just as the model in each photograph communicates – is a mystery that points to beauty, serenity and to the deep realm of the spiritual.
Although these photographic compositions deal with an abstract theme, their meaning is not completely hidden. They reflect a common language which, while allowing some space for individual interpretation, has been woven by the human community living in the Western world for these past millennia.
As human beings, in fact, we cannot but communicate and we do so through various media. Precisely because we are physical, our communication is tied to our body. Through our body, language, rituals and art we feel compelled to search for and express meaning, connectedness and to engage with the mystery of our consciousness.
Physicality, connectedness and awareness are all communicated here, particularly through hand gestures. It is in this way, so to speak, that Lombardi’s photo-graphs seek to represent the outer and inner qualities of beauty, qualities which are indeed, Hand-some.
Handsome runs until Thursday at The Orange Grove, Corinthia Palace Hotel, Balzan.
Adrian Gellel is associate professor specialising in symbol literacy within the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta.