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Photographers Become the Photographed in Mauricio Donelli's 'Eye x Eye' Exhibition

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Photographer Mauricio Donelli's exhibition 'Eye x Eye' features portraits of renowned photographers, turning the tables on who is behind the lens.
  • The project, spanning over three decades, includes images of artists like Rafael Salvatore, Paolo Gasparini, and William Wegman.
  • Twelve of these portraits are currently on display at the Roberto Mata Taller de Fotografía in Caracas.

For over three decades, photographer Mauricio Donelli has dedicated himself to a unique project: capturing the individuals who typically operate behind the camera. His exhibition, 'Eye x Eye,' showcases this extensive body of work, presenting renowned photographers as the subjects of his portraits.

Pose for me.

— Mauricio DonelliHis initial request to Rafael Salvatore, marking the beginning of his project photographing photographers.

The project began serendipitously in 1986 when Donelli, while photographing musicians in Caracas, was struck by the image of photographer Rafael Salvatore. Donelli immediately asked Salvatore to pose, capturing his first portrait of a fellow photographer. This moment marked the start of a journey that has taken Donelli to various international locations, including Paris, New York, and Porlamar, to photograph masters of the art.

Currently, twelve of these compelling portraits are on view at the Roberto Mata Taller de Fotografía's "Espacio Ricardo Jiménez" in Hacienda La Trinidad, Caracas. The exhibition features iconic figures such as Larry Towel, Paolo Gasparini, William Wegman, and Albert Watson, among others. Donelli's work merges his distinct style with the essence of these celebrated artists, offering a fresh perspective on their public personas.

There are portraits that are made on the spot, where you can't or don't have time to do any recreation. I have taken photos in places where you can't invent much, but you suddenly have to be more purist and look for a simple portrait.

— Mauricio DonelliDescribing his approach to capturing spontaneous portraits.

Donelli often utilizes his role as a collector as an opportunity to connect with his photographic peers, frequently using these encounters to request portraits. He describes the reception to his requests as cordial and good-humored. His process varies, sometimes involving spontaneous shots in environments with limited setup time, while other portraits are meticulously planned and executed in controlled studio settings. Regardless of the approach, Donelli aims for each photograph to convey his perception and emotional connection to the photographer he is capturing.

Likewise, they all have their punch and convey what I see of each photographer, what I feel about each of them.

— Mauricio DonelliExplaining the emotional and visual impact he aims for in his portraits.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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