The Granite City Gazette - Issue 43 - February 2010
You may never have thought of "ordinary" things, from park benches and staircases to the inner mechanisms of a piano and even scaffolding, as being particularly breathtaking, but one man always things that way. Alberto Petracci is a photographer whose trademark is to capture the concealed artistry in everyday objects, situations and landscapes and, for the next month, will be exhibiting thirteen pieces from his thought-provoking collection, Impressioni, at Belmont Street's quirky cinema, the Belmont Picturehouse.
"I like to give a different perspective", he explains. "I take pictures of things that strike me. I catch the detail, then when I review it, isolated from its context, it's a beauty in itself. You struggle to understand what it was in the beginning, but find it beautiful." Keen for people to view his photographs with an open mind, he is thrilled to be exhibiting in this space; "It's a really nice, calm environment. I like to show my pictures in a place where people meet and love to stay and chat."
Alberto, who lives in the city centre of Aberdeen, was brought up in Rome, where, whilst studying, he discovered his interest in photography. A hobby for now, due to his career in oil and gas, his passion came from simply discovering the camera and "seeing what you could do with it." The free exhibition will run in the Belmont Picturehouse Art Cafe, Belmont Street, Aberdeen, between February 12 and March 10. Opening night, where drinks and nibbles will be provided, and Alberto will be on hand to answer questions, takes place on February 11. For more information, call the Belmont Picturehouse on 01224 343534. For a taster of what will be on offer, visit Alberto's website: www.petracci.com
Claire McBain