Get ready to dive into a captivating world of photography where reality and surrealism intertwine!
Palazzo Roverella presents an extraordinary exhibition dedicated to the renowned American photographer, Rodney Smith. His captivating images will transport you to a realm where formal precision meets a subtle melancholy, offering glimpses of hope and enchantment.
The exhibition, titled "Rodney Smith: Photography between Real and Surreal," showcases over a hundred photographs that seamlessly blend rigorous composition, elegance, and a touch of irony. Smith's unique style creates a captivating fusion of reality and surrealism, reminiscent of the paintings of Magritte and the cinematic worlds of Hitchcock and Wes Anderson.
As you embark on this visual journey, you'll explore six captivating themes. Starting with "The Divine Proportion," each photograph showcases an almost mathematical precision, guided by the golden ratio. From there, you'll encounter "Gravity," where figures and objects seem to defy the laws of physics, floating in a dreamlike, surreal universe. "Ethereal Spaces" and "Through the Mirror" play with the duality of reality, leaving no trace of place, time, or circumstance. The exhibition concludes with "Time, Light, and Permanence" and "Passages," exploring undefined borders and dazzling light.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Rodney Smith, a photographer whose work has graced the pages of prestigious publications like TIME, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, was once a student of the renowned Walker Evans. However, Smith's academic background in philosophy and theology adds a unique layer to his artistic expression. Curator Anne Morin believes Smith's images delve into the complex relationship between man, God, and nothingness, drawing inspiration from philosophers like Paul Ricœur, Descartes, and Spinoza.
According to Ricœur, man finds himself at the crossroads of these worlds, a place of fallibility and error. This concept of imperfection has been a driving force in Smith's work, as explained by Morin: "Every image Smith creates, with the precision of a silversmith, is an attempt to recreate divine harmony and reach a higher state, even if momentarily."
Smith's photographs are unretouched masterpieces, the result of meticulous composition and absolute control during the shoot. They feature surreal elements and unusual details, crafting scenarios where the impossible seems possible. It's a masterful blend of aesthetics and technique, creating an illusion of perfection and whimsical imagery.
Susan Bright highlights the anticipation and narrative intrigue in Smith's work: "His photographs, capturing a single moment, invite viewers to complete the story. At the heart of every image lies the question: What happens next?" This sense of anticipation and the suspension of time is a unique aspect of Smith's photography.
And this is the part most people miss...
Despite the underlying melancholy, Smith's surrealist photographs capture a world of optimism, happiness, whimsy, and joy. His restless inner life and the tension between perfection and imperfection are reflected in his distinctive style, particularly the tilted bodies, a nod to silent cinema, which signify a "middle ground" of balance and control.
Most of the exhibited works are in black and white, as Smith only began experimenting with color in 2002. He believed that black and white film offered an abstract intensity that color couldn't match.
Leslie Smolan beautifully summarizes Smith's work: "Susan highlights the tension between perfection and melancholy, while Anne reveals the torment of striving between nothingness and divinity. Smith's photographs embody these profound dualities, reminding us that being human is an exercise in beautiful contradiction."
Don't miss this extraordinary exhibition, accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue, "Rodney Smith: Photography between Real and Surreal."
Exhibition Details:
- When: October 4, 2025 - February 1, 2026
- Where: Palazzo Roverella, via Laurenti 8/10, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
- Website: https://www.palazzoroverella.com/en/
Will you be attending? What are your thoughts on Smith's unique style and the themes explored in this exhibition? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments!
