An introspective journey through the sacred places of the planet arrives at the shores of the Lake Garda. From June 6 to August 31, 2025, the Rocca di Lonato will host the photographic exhibition “Places of the Soul” by the renowned Japanese photographer Kenro Izu. The exhibition, set up in the monumental complex of the Ugo Da Como Foundation, presents a spiritual path captured through the artist’s lens, offering a glimpse into distant cultures and geographies, from Egypt to Tibet. The inauguration was attended by Mayor Roberto Tardani, the Director of the Ugo Da Como Foundation, Giovanna Nocivelli, and President Sergio Onger.
The Exhibition in the Captain’s Hall
Curated by Filippo Maggia, the exhibition is housed within the Captain’s Hall of the fortress, a National Monument that overlooks the landscape of the lower Garda. The exhibition features 55 works selected from the most significant series of the Japanese master, including “Sacred Places 1 & 2,” “Eternal Light,” “Bhutan Sacred Within,” “India Prayer Echoes,” “Angkor,” “Laos Charity,” and “Fuzhou – Forgotten Land.” The images, collected in the eponymous catalog published by Silvana Editoriale, guide the visitor into a profound visual reflection on the soul’s places scattered around the world.
The Artist’s Technique and Vision
The photographs of Kenro Izu stand out not only for the subjects captured but also for the unique technique employed. Taken in analog format with a large-format camera, the images are then printed using pigment and platinum printing processes, giving them a material quality and unique depth. This technical approach aligns with the search for a spiritual connection to the places depicted, in an attempt to understand and convey their deepest essence.
Kenro Izu’s Journey
Born in Osaka in 1949 and raised in Hiroshima, Kenro Izu completed his education at Nihon University in Tokyo before moving to New York in 1970. After fifty years in the United States, he currently resides in Kanazawa, Japan. His career was marked by a trip to Egypt in 1979, inspired by ancient photographic expeditions. The experience impacted him so profoundly that it initiated the “Sacred Places” project, a pursuit that has engaged him for over thirty years. His work has led him to document spiritual sites in Scotland, Mexico, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Syria, Tibet, Peru, and Easter Island. His works have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.
Visiting Information
- Location: Rocca di Lonato del Garda (Bs), Captain’s Hall.
- Opening Period: From June 6 to August 31, 2025.
- Hours: Open daily, from Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Contact for Information: Ugo Da Como Foundation, Tel. 0309130060.
