Photography as an art for the representation of space

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Photography as an art for the representation of space

December 3rd, 2025
from 17:00

Mendrisio, Campus SUPSI, via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15, Library (1st floor)

The comparison between photographers Paolo Abate, Fabiana Bassetti, and Roberto Pellegrini and their works forms the basis of a discussion between Elio Franzini, professor of Aesthetics and former rector of the University of Milan, and Matteo Vegetti, professor SUPSI of Theories of space and living.

Photo: Fabiana Bassetti, I giochi di luce della mia interiorità, 2021

The debate between Elio Franzini and Matteo Vegetti will involve the three artists with the aim of bringing gaze and reflection back to the origins of their works. Paolo Abate, Fabiana Bassetti, and Roberto Pellegrini work by dedicating careful attention to the interpretation and representation of space, though adopting very different approaches: from extreme rarefaction and essentiality bordering on abstraction, to an almost hedonistic depiction of photographed spaces, to the pursuit of an identity, of a necessary relationship between space and its inhabitants. Space, therefore, as the object of comparison; photography as an art and technique of representation, and art again as a means directed toward the pursuit of knowledge that reveals, or brings us closer to, some otherwise hidden truth.

The event is part of a series of participatory and outreach cultural appointments promoted by the Institute of Design (Department of Environment Constructions and Design SUPSI) and by the Bachelor of Arts SUPSI in Interior Architecture, thanks to the support of the Canton of Ticino. Its intention is to respond to contemporary society’s need to reflect on art, science, culture, and the environment, bringing a concrete contribution to these themes and raising awareness among younger generations.

The event in Italian La fotografia come arte per la rappresentazione dello spazi (Photography as an art for the representation of space) is scheduled for Wednesday, 3 December 2025 at 17:00 (duration 75–90 minutes) in the Library on the 1st floor of the Campus of the Department of Environment Constructions and Design SUPSI (via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15, Mendrisio). It is open to all interested persons. Free admission, with final aperitif.

Biographies

Born in Naples, he grew up between Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano. He says of himself: “after graduating in Interior Architecture at SUPSI, I began to narrate Italy through images with a nostalgic and cinematic charm. In my photographs I try to merge aesthetics and memory, giving life to an intimate and poetic gaze that has found space on social media and in publishing”.

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Born in Bellinzona, she lives in Cademario (Ticino). She completed study stays in London and Paris. Travels and related reportages in various regions of Europe, the Middle East, and Hong Kong. After receiving First Prize at the Camignolo photography competition (1994), she enrolled in the International Congress of Arles, “Reportage” section directed by Parisian photographer Magdi Senadji (1995). In this context she was awarded Fourth Prize in the competition organized by the Congress. In 1999–2000 she carried out in Milan, Paris, and Ticino an extensive project on mannequins as archetypes of feminine seduction. From 2000 to 2025 she has exhibited regularly in Switzerland and abroad with various projects that have earned her multiple awards and recognitions.

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Originally from Ascona, he currently lives and works as an independent photographer with his own studio in Bellinzona. He specializes in photography of paintings, sculptures, and installations, as well as architecture, interiors, environments, and people. He collaborates with numerous artists and architects and with art galleries, museums, and foundations based in Ticino. Since 1985 he has been a member of the Swiss Association of Professional Photographers, and since 2017 a member of Visarte. He has held solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions. His work also includes various monographs and publications in books, magazines, and art catalogues.

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He is full professor of Aesthetics at the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy of the University of Milan, where he served as rector until 2024. Among the nearly two hundred publications he has produced, we recall five monographic volumes:

Fenomenologia dell’invisibile. Al di là dell’immagine, Milano, Cortina, 2001
Verità dell’immagine, Milano, Il Castoro, 2004
L’altra ragione. Sensibilità, immaginazione e forma artistica, Milano, Il Castoro, 2007
I simboli e l’invisibile. Figure e forme del pensiero simbolico, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2008
La rappresentazione dello spazio, Milano, Mimesis, 2011

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He graduated in Psychology and holds a PhD in Philosophy. He is professor of Theories of Space and Living at the Department of Environment Constructions and Design SUPSI in Mendrisio and adjunct professor of Aesthetics and Philosophy of Space at the Academy of architecture in Mendrisio. He is also a member of the Master’s program in Geopolitics at Sapienza University of Rome. He has taught at various universities, including the University of Milan and the Polytechnic University of Milan (between 2008 and 2015). From 2019 to 2022 he was visiting professor at the University of Bergamo. Among his publications: La fine della storia (Milano, 2000), Hegel e i confini dell’Occidente (Napoli, 2004), Lessico socio-filosofico della città (2005), Filosofie della metropoli (ed., Roma, 2009), L’invenzione del globo (Torino, 2017), The Global Spatial Revolution (2022), Earthscapes. Le conseguenze della visione della Terra dallo spazio (ed., with Tommaso Morawsky, Roma, 2023), Corpo, spazio, architettura. Fenomenologia dell’esperienza spaziale (ed., with Fabrizia Bandi, Brescia 2024).

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Paolo Abate, Abask - Stresa, 2025

Paolo Abate, Villa Palazzetto, Carlo Scarpa, Monselice, 2024

Paolo Abate, Rigoletto by Pierre Yovanovitch, Basilea, 2023

Fabiana Bassetti, I giochi di luce della mia interiorità, 2021

Roberto Pellegrini, Ateliers: Gianfredo Camesi, Cologne, Germany, 2018, copyright Roberto Pellegrini / ProLitteris Zürich

Roberto Pellegrini, Ateliers: Pascal Murer, Locarno, Switzerland, 2018, copyright Roberto Pellegrini / ProLitteris Zürich

Roberto Pellegrini, Ateliers: Paul Viedmer, Civitella D'Agliano, Italy, 2018, copyright Roberto Pellegrini / ProLitteris Zürich

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