Forma Foundation for Photography presents the exhibition Dies Irae, photographs by Paolo Pellegrin.

Dies Irae is the first major retrospective exhibition dedicated to the work of Paolo Pellegrin. The show includes more than 150 images through which he tells us many of his stories and reportages. He has become a symbol of that authentic photojournalism (Magnum) that is not afraid of documenting the world by bravelesly staring at it in the eyes.

Pellegrin represents a new generation of photographers who are aware of the modern means of production and distribution of images at their disposal. They operate to offer a new way to look at some events they document, always maintaining their ethics in the form and methods of their work. Pellegrin always uses a metaphor to talk about his job: photography is like a language we wish to learn.

An unfamiliar language, perhaps of an unknown stock, whose mystery fascinates and draws us towards it. Paolo Pellegrin has narrated many stories. At times these stories were harsh, even tragic, about war, detention and natural disasters. He approached them without judging, but following with his eyes what was happening around him in order to interpret it in the light of his extensive experience as a journalist and his sensitivity as a human being.

“In my work, I present questions and concerns. This is the active, dynamic kind of photography that transforms in the eyes of the viewer. The opportunity to put a system of antibodies into circulation, without any pretense of making the world a better place, but to start a conversation with the wolrd.” Paolo Pellegrin

Emiliana Tedesco

The exhibition is accompanied by a book published by Contrasto.

Dies Irae. Photographs by Paolo Pellegrin

Until May 15th
Forma Foundation for Photography
Piazza Tito Lucrezio Caro, 1 (Milan)