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MARCO
RAGANA

PHOTOGRAPHER FROM VENICE

ABOUT MARCO RAGANA

PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND CREATIVE APPROACH

Marco Ragana, born in Padua and now residing in Venice, initially did not envision a career in art. His journey into photography began not from a decision but from a fascination with observing life around him, particularly people. This fascination translated into visual storytelling when he purchased his first Polaroid camera. For Ragana, his camera is more than a tool; it is his pen and paintbrush, enabling him to capture and narrate the complexity of human existence in singular moments. His approach to photography is both intuitive and profound, reflecting a deep engagement with his subjects and their surroundings.

Through his unique process, Ragana establishes intimate rituals with his subjects, creating spaces for improvisation and expression. This collaborative environment allows emotions and unspoken words to surface and be captured in his photographs. Each session with his subjects is an exploration of personal stories, where silence can be as telling as an outpour of words. The outcomes are powerful visual narratives that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth, compelling viewers to engage with the images on a personal level.

Ragana’s work is characterized by its simplicity and directness. He intentionally uses simple equipment, allowing for the natural imperfections of Polaroid photography to enhance the authenticity of his images. By eschewing post-production alterations, each photograph preserves the raw, unfiltered essence of the moment and the subject. His photographs, typically reproduced as 40 x 40 cm limited edition prints, not only capture the soul hidden within imperfect bodies but also challenge viewers to find beauty and stories in the simplicity and flaws of real life.

WORKS

THE INTUITIVE CAPTURES OF MARCO RAGANA

Marco Ragana’s portfolio is a testament to the power of slow photography—a deliberate rebellion against the rapid consumption of images in modern society. His work invites viewers to pause and reflect, offering a respite from the chaos of everyday life. Each image is a distilled moment of human experience, capturing the essence of the subject’s inner world. Ragana’s photographs are not just images but stories told through light, shadow, and the inherent beauty of simplicity.

Ragana’s exhibitions reflect his commitment to sharing these visual stories with a broader audience. His solo and group exhibitions across Europe, including major cities like Milan, Paris, and Cologne, showcase his ability to convey profound human emotions universally. His participation in significant international exhibitions such as “Instant Art Cologne” and “That Magic Moment” in Imagenation Paris highlights his growing influence in the world of contemporary photography.

The thematic focus of Ragana’s exhibitions often revolves around the exploration of identity and existence in a modern context. For instance, his series “Niente da Capire” and his participation in the Biennial of Fine Art and Documentary Photography challenge conventional aesthetics and celebrate the unpredictable beauty of instant photography. Each exhibition is an opportunity for Ragana to communicate his artistic vision: capturing fleeting moments that speak volumes about the human condition, with all its imperfections and transient beauty.

ARTIST STATEMENT

INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION IN VENICE

I am Marco Ragana, and my photography is my rebellion—an escape from the swift currents of modernity, a step back to reclaim time and essence through my lens. Each snapshot I take is a stand against the hurried and the superficial, capturing the deep and unvoiced stories of everyday people. In this era, where art often flirts more with commercialism than with soul, my Polaroid camera serves as a tool to delve into the profound depths of human experience, embracing the raw and the real.

For me, photography is a dialogue—a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, where each image is a verse in a larger narrative of life. My approach is unassuming yet intentional, allowing the authentic beauty of imperfection to guide my compositions. By focusing on the simplicity and the spontaneous, my work invites viewers to find resonance in the universal human conditions that I capture—those fleeting moments filled with emotion and truth that compel us to pause and reflect.

Ultimately, my art is about connection. It’s about crafting a space where vulnerability meets creativity, where stories are told not through words but through the silent language of imagery. Each photograph is a personal testament to the resilience and complexity of the human spirit, and through my lens, I seek to celebrate these qualities—bringing to light the invisible threads that connect us all in the tapestry of life.

RESUME

EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS

Education:

  • February 2013: Group Exhibition, “POLAROIDERS SOTTOVUOTO,” Studio Raffaello Giolli Arte Contemporanea, Milano, Italy
  • September 2014: Group Exhibition, “DIVERSAMENTE ISTANTANEE,” Centro SanGaetano, Padova, Italy
  • October 2015: Featured in “IMPOSSIBLE TIME – L’IMPREVEDIBILE MONDO DELLA FOTOGRAFIA ISTANTANEA,” Book by Postcard edizioni
  • September 2016: Solo Exhibition, “NIENTE DA CAPIRE,” PULK GALLERY, Castelfranco Veneto, Italy
  • January 2017: Group Exhibition, “6×6,” Cafè de la Paix, Trento, Italy
  • July 2018: Solo Exhibition, Palazzo dei Congressi, Riccione, Italy
  • October 2018: Group Exhibition, “INSTANT ART PARIS,” Paris, France
  • August 2021: Group Exhibition, “INSTANT ART COLOGNE,” The Stage Gallery, Cologne, Germany
  • September 2021: Group Exhibition, “MATERIA,” Biennial Bassano fotografia, Bassano, Italy
  • December 2021: Group Exhibition, “6th Biennial of Fine Art and Documentary,” FotoNostrum Gallery, Barcelona, Spain
  • May 2022: Group Exhibition, “INSTANT ART COLOGNE,” The Stage Gallery, Cologne, Germany, featured on cover catalog
  • March 2022: Group Exhibition, Cluster Photography, OXO Tower, London, UK
  • June 2023: Group Exhibition, “I AM THE BODY,” Opificio della fotografia, Forte Marghera, Italy
  • November 2023: Group Exhibition, “THAT MAGIC MOMENT – IMAGENATION PARIS,” PARIS PHOTO OFF, France
  • November 2023: Group Exhibition, “BIOS EX-MACHINA – 3 artisti in 3 atti,” Teatro fACTORy32, Milano, Italy

Publications:

  • October 2015: “IMPOSSIBLE TIME – L’IMPREVEDIBILE MONDO DELLA FOTOGRAFIA ISTANTANEA,” Postcard edizioni
    CONTACT DETAILS

CONTACT DETAILS

GET IN TOUCH

Website: www.marco-ragana.com
Instagram: @marcoragana
Facebook: Marco Ragana
WhatsApp: +39 329 406 6900