When reality enters a photograph, life emerges. Even if the photo is just a fashion picture. “At the end of the day, we are storytellers, we tell the stories of the people we focus on and, more importantly, we give them a voice to tell themselves. Yes, the clothes are relevant, but what the situation hides is even more important. A model can be very well dressed or even naked, but if you don’t go deeper, if you don’t reach her soul, where is the truth?” ask Luigi & Iango, photographers with a mission: to investigate and reveal reality, too the What’s in a fashion picture? “Maybe we should assert more about ourselves as fashion photographers, there’s no stigma,” they say with a laugh.
Luigi Murenu (Sardian, 58 years old) and Iango Henzi (Swiss, 44) are just Luigi & Iango for the Olympus of photography. Like some of the subjects of their professional interests, they do not need a surname to be recognized among the illustrious visual creations of our time. At this point in the iconographic deluge, it is impossible or almost impossible that they have not noticed some of his images, which already boast nearly three hundred covers for publications within the framework of Vogue (in each of its editions) and countless portraits of those who have represented the celebrities have shaped culture in the last decade.
They met 12 years ago. One came from styling shows and sessions and had a distinguished career as a hairdresser since the mid-1980s, which enabled him to work and learn with the greatest, including Richard Avedon; the other was distracted from classical dance by an injury, which led him to the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Zurich to pursue a career in photography. Together, such trained/educated looks have gained intensity and depth. “We want to open minds and broaden horizons by showing that differences are beautiful and in this way enabling dialogue,” they say. And they say: “Photography can be a tool for change if it promotes a positive vision of the world.”
At least half of what was invited to the exhibition and contained in Luigi & Iango’s book was previously unknown. In the picture supermodel Kendall Jenner.Luigi & Iango
This idea gives rise to the project that the couple – work and sentimentality – now presents in a double format, exhibition and bibliography. They titled it Unveiled: an exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan, until November 26th, and a comprehensive monograph (which also serves as a catalogue) published in the luxurious coffee table format by Phaidon. In none of the cases are retrospectives. “We prefer to talk about introspective research,” Luigi begins. “We wanted to look at photography from a different angle and look for a perspective that conveys the essence of it. Today we see everything through a filter. “The amount of images flooding us digitally is overwhelming, and it’s happening at such a pace that no one seems interested in stopping and taking time to observe,” he develops. “That is why we decided to stop to capture everything that escapes the current accelerated gaze and reveal it.” Iango says: “As a title it is very symbolic, it refers to the discovery of moments, settings and details that allowing us an insight into the intimacy of the figure depicted. “We reveal the beauty that we are not aware of.”
If “Unveiled” is a nonstop revelation, it is also because at least half of what was called up for exhibition and included in the book was previously unknown. The unpublished materials include a photo of Madonna in a Pietà plan that was omitted from the extravaganza of Catholic aesthetics published in Vanity Fair last February (the artist, who became the first celebrity to portray the duo in 2013, wrote the prologue of the monograph written). , in addition to its cover and an entire room in the exhibition) and a series dedicated to Chella Man, the actress, model, YouTuber and LGTBIQ+ activist, whose existential adventures as a transgender, non-binary, rationalized person with a physical disability (he is deaf) fascinated her. “We have integrated social conversations into our work, but without politicizing them. It’s all about our vision. We listen to what is happening and we understand it, but at the same time we do our translation,” says Luigi. “We invite people to our table, we give everyone their place,” Iango continues. “It is also a very symbolic gesture, because it means that you can open your heart and mind and have a more human dialogue.” Of course, the resulting image must be suggestive and attractive, because a carefully tended and set table means that you Taking care of your guests, wanting them to feel comfortable, special, safe, happy… Then life comes into play and everything mixes and gets mixed up.” Luigi adds: “It’s a reflection of our society .”
Luigi & Iango have done almost three hundred covers with celebrities such as Naomi Campbell.Luigi & Iango
At Luigi and Iango’s table, diversity, inclusion and the perhaps not-so-obvious beauty of difference now have a privileged voice. “Everyone has the same opportunity to express themselves,” they admit. And not only that: in a gesture of generosity, they glorify those who are within reach of their target. “To prepare a good dish, you not only have to use the best products, but you also have to know how to treat them. In this sense, communication is key to our work. Only in this way can we push these personalities to the limit of revealing something extraordinary,” they conclude. “In the end it all comes down to love. Give and take. And show empathy. It is important to listen to the new generations as well as the old ones. It’s important to talk about the lives that matter, but they’re never the subject of conversation, only in the news. But for that you have to throw eggs in it. And more heart for art.”
“The amount of images that flood us digitally is overwhelming,” the photographers admit. In the photo the “influencer” Kim Kardashian. Luigi and Iango
Subscribe to continue reading
Read without limits
_