È Così la Vita – An ode to stagnation

Today, many people yearn for simplicity, for a place safe from the ever-increasing flow of information, in harmony with nature. While new approaches to a balanced lifestyle are constantly being researched and promoted, some communities have never relinquished their natural equilibrium.

Sardinia is one of five Blue Zones, regions of the world where people live exceptionally long lives. In remote villages in the island's interior live some of the oldest people in Europe. Their way of life has remained virtually unchanged for generations, and they seem largely cut off from the outside world. I visited these unspoiled areas to photograph the village elders, explore their simple lives, and document their stories. Just a few hours from the bustling capital, Cagliari, and world-famous beach resorts, almost everything revolves around family, food, and a passion for self-sufficiency. The people are agile and busy (in their gardens, their vineyards, and their cooking), but stress and the pressure to perform are foreign to them. The series "E Cosi la Vita" ("That's Life") illustrates my perspective on the nature-connected existence of these islanders and the mystique of their long lives.

Visual approach: To emphasize the facial features of the people, shaped by a long life on the island, I chose black and white with a neutral background for the portraits and contrasted them with the colors of the landscapes and foodstuffs, the essential elements of Sardinian daily life. By arranging the individual images into a larger whole, a scene emerges that dissects the sensibilities and peculiarities of this still world and gives the viewer space to reflect on time and their own busy lives.