The project In Silentio et in Spe Erit Fortitudo Vestra stems from my desire to undertake a journey to rediscover monasteries and abbeys, places where the purest forms of spiritual research have been handed down for centuries.
Starting from the title, which can be translated as ‘In silence and perseverance shall be your strength’, I chose a passage from the Book of Isaiah contained in the Bible (Isaiah 30:15) that was evocative of two key elements of monastic life: Silence, which accompanies every monk throughout the day, and Perseverance, a virtue more necessary than ever for monks to keep the vow they have made and continue on the path they have taken.
The motivations that led me to embark on this photographic path are basically two. On the one hand, there is the awareness of how, in an increasingly frenetic world, in which men increasingly put their material needs before self-inquiry, monasteries and abbeys rise to the role of the last bastions of the spiritual quest. The inhabitants of these places jealously preserve customs and traditions now unknown to the common man, becoming modern Prometheus of that sacred fire that is a way of life now forgotten by almost all of humanity.
Not only that.
The Benedictine, Camaldolese, Vallombrosian, Silvestrine, Olivetan, Armenian Benedictine, Cistercian, Carthusian, Antonine, Franciscan and Basilian orders differ not only in their lifestyles, as is commonly believed, but also and above all in the rituals they practise. I could not therefore refrain from producing a photographic work that would also serve as an esoteric investigation of the most recondite and unknown aspects inherent in the singularity of their ritual practices.
Between September 2022 and May 2023, I was hosted by numerous monastic communities. I took part in all their daily activities, from working in the fields to studying in the libraries, even being admitted to their most intimate rituals strongly steeped in symbolism and deeply esoteric meanings, such as the Night Vigils, discreetly documenting realities now forgotten by contemporary man.
The editorial publication, edited by Snap Collective Paris, and the exhibitions that will be held nationally and internationally relating to this work are in honour of Saint Anthony Mary Zacharias, on the CXXV anniversary of his canonisation and on the CDXC anniversary of the foundation of the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul known as Barnabites, at whom I spent thirteen years of my training.
About Alessandro Giugni
Alessandro Giugni, a distinguished Milanese born on October 16, 1994, has achieved academic excellence, graduating summa cum laude in Law from the University of Milan. For over 15 years, he has dedicated himself to exploring and mastering the intricacies of photography, developing a profound understanding of its multifaceted nature. His passion and commitment have led him to specialize in reportage photography in recent years, culminating in a series of celebrated works that have been published and showcased across prestigious museums and galleries throughout Italy and Europe.
From a young age of 11, Giugni was drawn to photography, viewing it not just as a form of artistic expression but as a primary medium for chronicling the essence of our era. His approach to photography is deliberate and thoughtful; he keenly observes societal dynamics, changes, and the nuanced behaviors and expressions of individuals, crafting well-considered projects that stem from exhaustive research.
Giugni’s artistic journey has seen a significant evolution, with a focus on black and white imagery and an increasing preference for film photography. This shift is motivated by a desire to engage deeply with the photographic process, from the anticipation of seeing the undeveloped images to the tactile satisfaction of working with film and chemicals. He values the control and intimacy afforded by film, allowing him to oversee every aspect of the creative process, including development. Moreover, film enables him to create a tangible archive, a feat he believes digital photography alone cannot replicate, thus further enriching his artistic expression and legacy. [Official Website]
