What they say about me

Portraiture is the hallmark of this young photographer, with his sharp, empathetic gaze, which captures the essence of his subjects. He complements his portfolio with harmonious, well-composed street scenes, rendered with surprising light. Black and white is his medium, which he uses to evoke sensations, dreamlike and minimalist atmospheres, highlighting expressions, light, and shadows that create a decidedly strong visual impact. It's inevitable to find parallels with the poetics of the films of Frank Capra, Fellini, and Billy Wilder, albeit tinged with more contemporary influences.

Giordano Rispo’s creative talent grew up in a fertile environment. He is the son of an artist, but he does not say so out of shyness or modesty, almost as if stating it might diminish his value when he introduces himself to someone. One might think everything is easy for a boy whose father is an accomplished actor, yet the opposite is often true. A parent like that casts a shadow, and that shadow does not always provide shelter, even though he surely wished it would. Growing up, he must have learned to work twice as hard, to avoid those who underestimate him by relying on clichés, to study, experiment, and bring clarity to confusion in order to discover his own unique and original voice—shaped by the talent that surrounded him since childhood.

He loves the faces of the world he encounters, framing familiar ones, freezing in a single shot moments that are affection, memory, and unbreakable bonds. He brings this capacity for interaction to casual relationships, too, when he wanders the streets of Naples, his hometown, or travels far away, returning with close-ups like those that make up this African portfolio. They recall the close-ups of Éric Lafforgue, Pieter Hugo, or Seydou Keïta’s 'Portraits of Bamako', yet for him they are still experiments that, over time, will lead him to his uniqueness. I'm fairly certain that Giordano Rispo is not (and will not be) just a photographer. The fire and curiosity that drive him push him to explore in various directions: communication, directing, acting. Photography, however, is an expressive language that clearly suits him and will guide him, becoming something important and fundamental in his journey.

Barbara Silve - Director of EyesOpen Magazine and Vice Director of TheGlobalNews.it