OPEN FROM 14 JUNE THROUGH 8 OCTOBER 2022. IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE PASSING OF THE MILLE MIGLIA IN PONTEDERA FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. AND THE CITY COMES TO LIFE WITH EVENTS, WITH “THE NIGHT OF MOTORS”.
14 June 2022 - The shots by Giacomo Bretzel hosted at the Piaggio Museum are a tribute to the passing of the Mille Miglia in Pontedera, Friday 17 June 2022, when 111 Ferraris are expected at the Museum which will stop there from 1:30 p.m. to then depart in a procession ahead of the arrival of 425 classic cars in the Mille Miglia (made between 1927 and 1957), and another thirty or so electric cars (participating in the green Mille Miglia), as well as unique modern Supercar and Hypercar models (Mille Miglia Experience). In the route that departs from Brescia, crosses part of the peninsula to arrive in Rome and return to Brescia, the stop in Pontedera will be the first ever in history to go through the city. Which will come to life with events, with the “NIGHT OF MOTORS”.
Source of images and info: www.comune.pontedera.pi.it/venerdi-17-giugno-la-1000-miglia-arriva-a-pontedera
AND IN BRESCIA – DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL OF THE MILLE MIGLIA –
STAZIONE ARTE PRESENT:
Image source and info: www.stazionearte.com
“On the occasion of the 2022 Mille Miglia, Stazione Arte Capsule Gallery & Alessandro Hair Studio present ‘1609,344 km – Contemporary Art & Entertainment’ – from 10 through 20 June 2022. A voyage in urban Modern Art through a selection of works by only Italian artists from different decades and regions. An exhibit in stages, all Italian but with an international flavour, like the most fascinating and historical race in the world, which celebrates the art and beauty of our country. Artists who, aware of their great technique and skill, convey quality modern ‘pop’ art of undisputed communicative power and easy to enjoy even for the least expert viewer.” The exhibit is curated by Giovanni Busacca and set up by ART-BUS Art Service, the same partners of the exhibit at the Piaggio Museum; and in Brescia as well, Among the artists in the Stazione Arte collective is Giacomo Bretzel.
Discover the others here: www.stazionearte.com
THE IMAGE OF A MYTH & THE “PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MILLE MIGLIA”. Getting back to the exhibit in the Piaggio Museum of Pontedera, the images of the master Giacomo Bretzel are made strictly in film, with devices that are the same age as the racing cars. The author, of Tuscan origin and Parisian by adoption, communicates the sensation of speed with the use of the most diverse styles, obtaining a photographic texture that adds to the images all the power and allure of an era.
“I use cameras from the era of the cars I am photographing in order to enhance the beauty and style of these ‘wonderful ladies’ on four wheels,” the photographer revealed during the press conference. And, thanks to ‘retro’ techniques such as “solarisation”, some of his photographic works (that’s right, works, not just photographs) look like paintings. Surprising and breathtaking. “It is my homage,” he says, “to the Italian territory and the absolute genius of those who designed – between 1927 and 1957 – those rockets.” Photos taken by him through almost twenty years of Mille Miglia editions, from 2003: modern images, therefore, with which Bretzel decided to impress a vintage allure, “what – beginning from the thirties – has highlighted the Master – the photograph, not just more reproductions of reality, becomes art.”
Through colour, and with lots of black and white, the photographs show to the public the most vibrant emotions experienced on board historic racing cars whizzing through the most beautiful Italian landscape ever. In this precious journey through images you will find intense moments of high speed represented, but also “the great beauty” of the squares and streets of Italy.
Monday 13 June, press conference and inauguration of the exhibit, with Bretzel’s works on display in the auditorium and the Museum entrance hall. In addition to the press, Deputy Mayor of Pontedera, Alessandro Puccinelli, was also present. On the big screen, the video “Poetry in Motion” by Bretzel: a film from 2008 done in Super8. The charm of yesteryear, to enhance the design of the cars and the beauty of the Italian territory.
The master, Giacomo Bretzel, third from the right in the red shirt, with a representation of the Piaggio Foundation staff presided over by Engineer Riccardo Costagliola (first on the right in the photo), whereas the first on the left is Giovanni Busacca of Stazione Arte.
This small, “intimate” personal exhibition, illustrates how Giacomo was able to bring a new vision to the mythology of motoring through an original and unique stylistic range. The full control this photographer has over his art also demonstrates how photography can not only document but also create a legend. Bretzel's journey has lasted for more than twenty years and has made him the long-term testimonial of the Mille Miglia, alongside the well-known goldsmith brand CHOPARD. This exhibition testifies to the path underway in the career of the master, with the obligatory passage from photographer to artist. On display, signed Fine Art prints, which certify their value and make them iconic, just like the wonderful cars they immortalize.
Partners of the exhibit: Stazione Arte; ArtBus; Color System.
THE ASTRONAUT, THE ARTIST, AND MOTO GUZZI.
Astronaut Paolo Nespoli on Moto Guzzi V85 TT; image source and info: www.giacomobretzel.com
Giacomo Bretzel lives between Milan, Paris, and Tuscany, loves motorcycles and vintage cars. The photographs are his that depicting astronaut Paolo Nespoli astride a Moto Guzzi V85 TT (photo above), included in the prestigious volume “MOTO GUZZI 100 ANNI”, published in 2021 to celebrate the centennial of the brand from Mandello (1921-2021) and the legend of the Eagle brand.
“It was an honour for me to participate in the book,” Giacomo Bretzel commented during the press conference, “thereby leaving a trace of my work, associating it with the important centennial. Nespoli was truly stoic throughout the shooting, riding on the roads of Sardinia. And the V85 TT is a beautiful bike.” Bretzel was also stoic, to have photographed Nespoli whilst riding: “I was seating backwards on the rear seat of another Moto Guzzi and I shot and shot and shot... trusting the skill of the rider and the reliability of the bike.” Bretzel was certainly not disappointed and the result of all that effort, of the subject, the photographer, and… of the bike, is contained in the wonderful book MOTO GUZZI 100 ANNI.
