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Artist of the month - Domenico Cennamo
3 years ago
Portrait, Domenico Cennamo
- what was the first photography book you bought?
It was The Edge of Desire by Howard Roffman published by Bruno Gmunder. I was something like 17 years old going to college in Rome. I bought it in Via del Babuino, in front of the Armani store. In those years it was the only bookshop in Rome selling books with male nudes. I had just bought a trench coat by Armani and going out of the store I discovered this bookshop with these books showing men right behind the window of the shop. That day I spent all the money I had for the month!
- what is your favourite colour?
Definitely emerald green - only this green, no other.
- who are your photographic influences?
After all these years photographing, there have been a lot of influences. Everything influences me - if I must give names then it would be Terry Richardson, Andy Warhol, and Paolo Roversi. I can't really describe in which way they have influenced me, but they have been and still are important for my work. In my younger years, the decisive influence was Sam Scott Schiavo. I would probably never have started photography if I hadn't known his work.
- what is your favourite museum?
The Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Don't ask me why. In this museum I find all that gives me emotion in art.
- if you could buy any photograph which would it be?
One from Andy Warhol. Or Terry. No, Andy! He's a genius like Michelangelo or Caravaggio were in their century. He brought photography to art. He changed photography from an object, to a concept, to art. It would be his purple self-portrait, the one with the messy hair.
- your favourite holiday destination?
When with my husband, any destination. He's the only person that makes everything worth it.
- if there is one living person you could photograph who would it be?
Supermodel Linda Evangelista. Many people inspire me and help me to be creative. But Linda represents, during the period of my professional education, a very important symbol. I'm not looking for the iconic 90's Linda, but the today Linda, just as she is, simple and natural.
- what is your guilty pleasure?
I would never admit it. If it's guilty then it's a secret.
- what is your favourite city?
Rio de Janeiro. Full stop. It doesn't need any explanation. The only place in the whole world where I don't even feel the urge to express myself because I feel complete.
- which charities do you support?
This question makes me feel like a contestant in a beauty pageant. Obviously the world needs charities and fortunately there are many. I'd love to have time to support all of them. God bless all the people fighting all these battles. I have a special thought for all the people working for health, at all levels, because they give their time and their life to cure others.
