The association “Photographic Identities” is born, to protect and promote Italian archives

Protect, enhance and promote Italian photographic archives, a heritage of inestimable cultural and historical value. Promote Italian photographic culture, through the involvement of national institutions and public/private companies for the creation of projects that create a bridge between historical Italian photographers and new talents in the world of photography and photojournalism. These are the main objectives of the association “Photographic Identities”, a new point of reference in the Italian cultural and artistic panorama, officially presented in Rome, at the Press Room of the Chamber of Deputies.

The event saw the participation of personalities from the world of culture, politics and photojournalism. The association was created by a group of professional photographers – Maurizio Riccardi, Marco Ravagli and Marco Geppetti, sons of great photographers and custodians of three immense photographic archives. L
‘meeting highlighted the importance of photography as a visual narrative tool of Italian history, from the most iconic events to the lesser-known moments of great social relevance. During the presentation, several exponents of the world of culture and politics, such as Gianmarco Mazzi, Undersecretary of Culture, Federico Mollicone, Alessandro Amorese and Irene Manzi, respectively president and members of the Culture Commission of the Chamber, expressed their support for the initiative, recognizing photography as an integral part of the national cultural heritage.

The director of Adnkronos, Davide Desario attended the presentation, he emphasized the importance of photojournalism in telling reality and stressed how the work of professional photographers is often underestimated, especially in the digital age, where photography risks being trivialized and relegated to a simple smartphone shot. “Authentic photographs, those that remain in the collective memory, are the result of the work and sensitivity of true professionals” – Desario declared – The images not only tell the story, but make it unforgettable”.

“The association was born with the aim of raising public awareness and institutions on the importance of preserving and enhancing Italian photographic archives – highlighted Maurizio Riccardi in his speech, adding that – in addition to protection, one of the main objectives of the association is to promote projects for the cataloguing and digitalisation of photographic material, in order to guarantee public enjoyment and protection for future generations. A photographic archive, as has been repeatedly emphasized, is not just a collection of images, but a true ‘fresco’ of the cultural, political and social history of the country”.

“In particular – continued Riccardi – the association intends to give new life to photographs that tell fundamental moments of Italian history: from the iconic images of the Dolce Vita period, to the reportages of the Years of Lead, up to the visual testimonies of international conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. Among the most ambitious projects is the creation of a museum dedicated to Italian photography, which can host both temporary and permanent exhibitions, involving emerging photographers and established names in the sector”.

The importance of preserving photographic archives was reiterated by several participants during the meeting. Alessandro Amorese highlighted how many of these archives risk being lost forever, with the erosion of time or the lack of adequate structures for their conservation, underlining how institutions must intervene with funds and resources to safeguard this visual heritage. Federico Mollicone recalled that the Ministry of Culture has already allocated four million euros for projects to enhance and digitize photographic archiveswith the aim of making this heritage accessible not only to experts in the sector, but also to the general public.

During the presentation, the role of photography as a tool for documentation and journalistic narration was also discussed. The director of Adnkronos explained how many of the most impactful news stories have been made so thanks to good photography, capable of capturing the imagination and attention of the reader. The era of social media has further accelerated this process, making images one of the most important elements for the dissemination of news. However, a critical note also emerged regarding the growing tendency to consider photography as something accessible to everyone, without the need for specific skills. “It’s not enough to have a phone with a good camera to take a photo that tells the truth – Desario underlined – you need sensitivity, a careful eye and preparation that only professionals in the sector possess”.

And precisely
In his speech, Maurizio Piccirilli reiterated how important it is to “try to escape from the logic of photography as the child of no one”, or rather photos often without signature in newspaperswhen in reality “those who actually achieve them on a daily basis very often do so with sacrifice, sweat and sometimes even risk”.

One of the central topics of the presentation was the impact of new technologies on photography. Artificial intelligence, in particular, has been the subject of a lively debate: if on the one hand it represents an extraordinary resource for the organization and use of archives, on the other it risks profoundly altering the truthfulness of images, with the possibility of manipulating photographs in increasingly sophisticated ways. This has raised a series of ethical questions that, according to the association, must be addressed urgently, so that photography can continue to be an instrument of truth.

During his speech, the Honourable Amorese then announced that the Culture Committee of the Chamber has launched an investigative inquiry on the digitalization of the areas of expertise, including the impact of new technologies on photography. “Photography – he said – is a powerful means of telling stories, but we must ensure that it remains faithful to reality”. Fabio Torriero, Professor of Lumsa Media, Society and Politics, remained on the topic, and in his speech invited us to reflect on the future of photography, on the importance of protecting it as an art form and narration, and to develop a system of rules that can protect it from the abuse of new technologies.

The meeting ended with the appeal of the founders of “Identità Fotografiche”, Riccardi, Geppetti and Ravagli, to all those who work in the photography sector, to join this battle for the protection of the Italian photographic heritage: “The association proposes itself – recalled Marco Geppetti – as a platform for collaboration between photographers, institutions and photography enthusiastsin order to preserve and promote this important cultural heritage”.

“Photography – Marco Ravagli underlined – is not only a profession, but a real art that tells stories, transmits emotions and builds the collective memory of a people”. “Preserving this heritage – concluded Maurizio Riccardi – means not only safeguarding the past, but also guaranteeing future generations access to a fundamental part of our cultural identity”.