On at the Tower of the Castello dei Vescovi di Luni in Castelnuovo Magra (La Spezia, Liguria) is the photography exhibition Bruce Chatwin… il viaggio continua. The exhibition wants to celebrate the renowned English travel writer who 40 years ago astonished the literary world with his first book In Patagonia (1977).
Writing and art were fundamental elements of Chatwin’s life, nonetheless photography proved to be an essential narrative instrument. He was a very talented photographer with a sharp eye for details.
After his death, it was discovered that he had taken over 3,000 photos on his pilgrimage around the world. Proof of how essential they were to his travels, is the fact that his wife, Elizabeth Chanler, was often forced to reach him in remote parts of the world to bring him new film when he ran out of it.
Spreading over the seven floors of the Tower, the exhibition also displays black-and-white photos put at disposal by Elizabeth from the considerable University of Oxford collection. Amongst these, the photographs taken during the trip to Yunnan with his wife which have never been exhibited before.
The show leads visitors through various continents and closes with some of the more famous Patagonia photographs. This choice is not only to pay homage to the book’s 40th anniversary, but also to celebrate Chatwin’s documentary approach in his works. This was the first time he associated accurate notes to each picture as if he wanted to create a travel report.
Also on display his famous self-designed rucksack. Furthermore, on September 5th, at 5.30 pm, Elizabeth Chatwin will be present to talk about her husband’s travels and passions.
The exhibition is on until October 8th. Open every day except Mondays, until September 3rd from 10 am to 12.30 am and from 5 pm to 11 pm; from Sept. 3rd to October 8th open from 10 am to 12.30 am and from 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Full price ticket costs 7 Euros.
