McCurry’s “Icons” in Florence

World-famous photographer Steve McCurry’s exhibition: “Icons” arrived at the Villa Bardini in June, where it will remain until September 16, but a special initiative by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio grants free admission to the public every Wednesday in August.

The most well-known and powerful works of the artist are on display, including the portrait of the “Afghan Girl,” Sharbat Gula, whose hardened green eyes still haunt the world, holding within them a story of unspeakable pain. A screening of a National Geographic documentary on the search for the Afghan girl, 17-years after her picture was taken, is shown at the exhibition.

Other works by the National Geographic published photographer, carefully selected from a formidable 40-year-old body of work, are on display at the Villa. Known best for his unique ability to capture humanity anywhere, McCurry’s “Icons” hail from every corner of the globe, from Brazil to Burma; Japan to the Middle East. With an empathetic lens, McCurry provides a window into the lives of an incredibly diverse array of subjects, focusing on daily realities and moments of vulnerability.

As part of the Florence exhibition, a new room has been added dedicated solely to black and white photos of Afghanis in the aftermath of the Soviet coup. These were photos that launched McCurry to fame when they were published in magazines newspapers all around the world.

The exhibition is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am – 7 pm; entrance is €10.

To see a photo gallery, visit La Repubblica: Florence.  (tyler bunton)