SÅM Artist Residency
Visual Exploration in Lessinia 2018
- When:
- Where: Bosco Chiesanuova, Verona (IT)
SÅM - Esplorazione Visiva della Lessinia is a residency program dedicated to visual exploration within the landscape of Lessinia, curated by Ana Blagojevic, Chiara Bandino, and Francesco Biasi. The program is supported by Film Festival della Lessinia. The residency offers artists a unique opportunity to engage deeply with the region’s culture, geography, and communities. The inaugural edition celebrated the unique geography and cultural heritage of the region and was led by guest curator Steve Bisson. The residency invited artists to delve into Lessinia’s landscapes, generating a body of work that highlights the area's visual and ecological significance. The resulting exhibition, A Possible Introduction, underscored the value of bringing contemporary art into dialogue with regional culture, offering fresh perspectives on the local environment and community.
Steven Bisson
Steve Bisson is an Italian-Belgian photography professor and curator, currently teaching at the Paris College of Art’s MA/MFA in Photography and Image-Making program. He is the founder and director of Urbanautica, a publishing series and institute focused on visual anthropology and cultural landscapes. With broad international experience, Bisson has curated exhibitions, festivals, and editorial projects globally. Additionally, he is the administrator of Filmessay, a production company specializing in art and architecture film festivals, and the curator for the Italian publishing house, Penisola Edizioni, since 2019.
Selected artist
Paola Fiorini
Paola Fiorini (Italy) is a self-taught Italian photographer, has a passion for film photography and explores intimate narratives often found in unnoticed spaces. Her works are recognized in prestigious exhibitions across Italy, including at Fotoleggendo and SI Fest. Her experimental approach captures nuanced and layered realities, consistently showcased in exhibitions and published works in Italian photography magazines.
Davide Galandini
Davide Galandini (Italy) is a photographer and artist, that combines photography with environmental themes, frequently capturing the interaction between humans and nature. He explores landscapes with a unique sensitivity, which has led him to exhibit in Italy and internationally. His art balances aesthetic beauty with a deep ecological consciousness.
Nicolò Lucchi
Nicolò Lucchi (Italy, 1988) is an emerging Italian photographer that uses his work to engage with the concept of memory and identity. With exhibitions across Italy, he explores cultural landscapes and their emotional impact. His work often experiments with visual storytelling through contemporary perspectives, blending documentary and fine art elements.
Ana Blagojevic
Ana Blagojevic (Serbia, 1988) is an artist and curator based in Verona with a background in Visual and Performing Arts from IUAV University in Venice, with additional studies at Hogeschool Sint-Lukas in Brussels and CFP Bauer in Milan. Ana co-founded SÅM in 2018, where she explores the mountainous Lessinia region. She has collaborated with prominent photographers like Alex Majoli and exhibited internationally, including at Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa in Venice and FAAP in São Paulo.
Chiara Bandino
Chiara Bandino (Italy) is a curator and co-founder of Fonderia 20.9, with extensive experience in photography and contemporary art. She actively participates in managing Fonderia’s artist residencies, collaborative projects, and community engagements. Chiara’s work is characterized by her commitment to fostering experimental spaces and supporting visual artists.
Francesco Biasi
Francesco Biasi (Italy) is a co-founder of Fonderia 20.9, combines his background in photography and curatorial expertise to bring new projects to life. Alongside his team, he facilitates residencies, organizes exhibitions, and oversees Fonderia’s exhibition space. Francesco is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for artists to engage in exploratory practices and collaborative research.
