The exhibition, promoted by the Gallerie Estensi of Modena, presents 70 images, dedicated to the universal passion for reading, created by the American artist (Philadelphia, 1950) over a forty-year career and which include the series that he himself has brought together in a volume, published as a tribute to the great Hungarian photographer André Kertész, one of his teachers.
Images of people from all over the world, engrossed in the intimate act of reading, where McCurry has managed to transfer his ability to interpret time and current society.
Here are places of prayer in Turkey, the streets of the markets in Italy, from the noises of India to the silences of East Asia, from Afghanistan to Cuba, from Africa to the United States. Pictures of moments during which people immerse themselves in books, newspapers, magazines. Young or old, rich or poor, religious or secular; for anyone anywhere there is a time for reading.
The photographs are accompanied by a series of literary passages chosen by Roberto Cotroneo: words dedicated to reading alongside McCurry's shots, involving the visitor in a moment of reflection and silence.
The path is completed by the section Read McCurry, with 15 now unobtainable books, published since 1985 with photos by Steve McCurry, many of which have been translated into various languages. Also the recent volume published by Mondadori which inspired the creation of this exhibition. All books are accompanied by the photos used for the covers, which are often the icons that have made him famous all over the world.
Cover image: Steve McCurry, Rome, Italy, 1984 © Steve McCurry
