IT

Photographic Journey

Alberto Polonara’s photographic experience began with traditional silver-based techniques, which he explored in depth through film development and darkroom printing.

After several years dedicated to experimentation and photographic research, he joined the historic F7 Photography Group in Senigallia.

His work gradually evolved through personal projects in which photography became a means of exploring reality, imagination, and the relationship between what is visible and what belongs to the realm of dreams.

Throughout the years, his pursuit of artistic expression has remained central to his work, taking shape through different photographic experiences and the creation of personal series and projects.

Exhibitions and Awards

Throughout his career, Alberto Polonara has participated in numerous photographic exhibitions in Italy and abroad.

Among the most significant exhibition venues are:

• MACRO – Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome;
• National Museum of Villa Pisani, Italy;
• Somerset House, London;
• Willy-Brandt-Haus, Berlin;
• Arles, France, where he held a solo exhibition during the Rencontres d’Arles.

In 2015, he participated in the Photography Biennale curated by Vittorio Sgarbi.

That same year, he presented his work at the International Festival of Ioannina, Greece.

In 2016, he was among the Italian winners of the Sony World Photography Awards, with a photograph from his portfolio L’Attesa (The Waiting).

His photographs have been published in photographic books and magazines, both in print and online. In February 2015, the magazine Il Fotografo devoted a six-page feature to his work.

Photography Books and Publishing

Alongside his photographic work, Alberto Polonara has developed extensive experience in publishing, producing artist’s books and editing publications dedicated to photography and art.

His photography books include:

• Circostanze Creative (Creative Circumstances), produced in the context of the Venice Biennale.
• Punto Zero (Zero Point), a retrospective publication of his photographic work.
• Ergo Sum, photographic narratives explored through staged self-portraiture.
• La casa dei sogni (The House of Dreams), an allegory exploring the boundary between dreams and reality.
• L’alchimista (The Alchemist), a tribute to photographer Nino Migliori.

The latter volume was presented at the Italian Senate in 2016 by Lorenza Bravetta, then Adviser on Photography to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage.

Polonara is the founder and director of @rtLine, CIDI’s publishing imprint, through which he oversees the editing and production of numerous photographic publications.

He also conceived the magazine @rtLineNews and the magazine SlowPhoto, whose editorial production he manages.

Artistic Direction and Cultural Projects

Alongside his personal photographic research, Alberto Polonara conceives, organizes, and provides artistic direction for events and projects dedicated to photography.

In collaboration with Asteres, he conceived Frames, a European photography project funded by Brussels, for which he served as artistic director. As part of the project, he led the Italian photographers during international meetings in Greece, Poland, and Denmark.

He served as artistic director of the Senigallia Photo Festival, an event featuring 23 international photographers.

Other initiatives he conceived and organized include:

• Osservare Stenopeico Senigallia, an event dedicated to pinhole photography.
• Al Numero 47 – Incontriamoci sotto i portici (At Number 47 – Let’s Meet Under the Arcades), a programme dedicated to cultural gatherings and initiatives.

He has also contributed to the organization of numerous photographic events and cultural activities in various locations throughout Italy.

6. Teaching, Education and Communication

Promoting photographic culture is another important aspect of Alberto Polonara’s work.

Over the years, he has conducted photography workshops and talks in various locations throughout Italy.

On several occasions, he has taught photography at the Mario Giacomelli Middle School in Senigallia.

In collaboration with photographer Massimo Marchini, he has produced and taught a series of video workshops dedicated to historical photographic printing techniques.

He is also involved in the management and digital communication of cultural projects, overseeing the websites of @rtLine and Territori Sensibili.

He manages the YouTube channels Storie di fotografia senigalliese (Stories of Photography in Senigallia) and Storie di mare e di uomini (Stories of the Sea and Its People), dedicated to documenting and sharing experiences, personal accounts, and cultural initiatives.