Gravitas

Gravitas by Frederic Weber is a photographic series with a self-explanatory title, that speaks of weight in its most archetypical, elusive form.

With the Latin title, the artist is not referring to the weight of our bodies as indicated by the scale, but rather is searching for a poetic of gravity in its design on our skin.

With the use of film that enhances the presence of light, and that of chemistry and a particular emulsion, Frederic explores with great technical and expressive dexterity the theme of passing from middle-aged to elderly.

The artist—whose photos are included in some of the most important museum collections of the world—composes collages of photographic fragments that portray faces through various phases of existence, juxtaposing youth and old age. Fragments that mix together in a game of chromatic shading and contrasts, providing a rich pigmentation to the prints.

Series Gravitas synthesizes various techniques and elements in small but intense compositions. As in the short poem by Salvatore Quasimodo:

Everyone’s always alone on the earth’s breast
pierced by a ray of sunlight
and suddenly it’s evening.

Only three verses that condense the withering of life, contrasted by the lyrical image of light.

— Fabio Falzone
Editor at Lancia Trendvisions