Florence’s Online International Photography Awards

The rise of the iPhone sparked the rise of iTakePhotos: having a powerful, pocket-size camera has resulted in a torrential flood of pictures depicting subjects from everyday snaps. Recognizing this new outlet for creativity, the Tethys Fine Art Gallery is presently curating an exhibition of iPhoneography.

Entitled “The Most Wanted Visionaries,” the show is part of the new semi-annual Florence International Photography Awards (FIPE) on June 17-18 and will be on display concurrently with a Pro Series of works at Santo Spirito and two shows organized by the New Era Museum (NEM) founders.

Open through July 10, (7 – 9 pm; via dei Vellutini, 17r; free admission), on display are 20 pieces selected by Andrea Bigiarini, another NEM founder and other members of FIPA and the Tethys Gallery, all taken and edited solely on mobile devices. Each is printed twice; one will be put on sale and the other donated to the exhibition sponsor, Banca di Cambiano.

Subjects of the photos range from a barren, cracked desert floor, to a redheaded lady’s soft smile, to the Hulk under a tree. Some are dreamy with bright colors while others are stark black and white; there are simple captures, like an old man walking down the street while a few are fantastical shots, spliced and stitched together seamlessly. This new frontier has no rules, a fact which artists have continually used to incorporate innovations into their work.

The “Lifestyle”-themed Pro Series is composed of 24 pieces, selected by an international jury from over 300 user-uploaded submissions onto a photo-sharing website Flickr. The show can be visited only from June 17-18 at the Augustinian convent at the church of Santo Spirito (2:30 – 7 pm).

The other two other exhibitions to see are “Visions of Tuscany Landscapes,” by Gianluca Ricoveri at the Trattori 4 Leoni, and “Likely. Iphonic Painterly Visions,” by Ale Di Gangi at Studio 108, via dei Sapiti 12/14 r.  The latter consists of iPhone photos made to resemble paintings. Also on the program are public workshops; photowalks; video hangouts with international mobile artists; and a flash mob, “The Universe Needs Heroes.”

Six awards will be presented in total: first, the New Era Museum Special Award and the Patron Special Award will go to works from “The Wanted Visionaries.” FIPA will present an Honorary Award as a lifetime achievement prize, recognizing artist Roger Guetta for his “dedication to mobile photography and the radical impact of his vision and innovation on the mobile art movement.” Finally, three participants in the Pro Series will be the recipients of either the Tethys Fine Art Award, the Innovator, or the Best in Show prize. (June 18, 6:30 pm).

That wellspring of the renaissance, be that on canvas and in stone of ancient times, Florence continues to aspire to that title in the virtual, mobile world of today. For more information, visit bit.ly/fipawards (bianca cockrell)