site specific LAS VEGAS 05

Exploring the urban landscape and the architecture
of cities around the world, Olivo Barberi’s ‘site
specific’ series is a continuation of his investigation
of selective focus, contrasting clarity and an
ethereal sense of space. Based in Milan Italy,
Barbieri began this series in 2004 with images of
Rome, and has since documented cities including
Las Vegas, Montreal, Amann and Shanghai. At
first glance, his images appear to be highly detailed
miniature models, though in fact all of them are
actual places photographed using a 35mm camera
in real space and time, from the aerial perspective
of a helicopter flying 300 to 500 feet from the
ground.

Barbieri’s images documenting the fantasy world
of Las Vegas are confounding portraits of
materialism and excess. His first film, dealing
with the same selective focus on Las Vegas, was
recently shown in festivals worldwide to great
critical acclaim. His works have been exhibited in
Canada, the United States and Europe and
extensively in Italy, including the Arte
Contemporanea, Roma, Galleria
Spazio Erasmus Brera, Milano, Centro Arte
Contemporanea, Siena.