Born in Naples, the topographically-trained photographer Gigi Cifali is now based in London. His latest work, entitled Absence of Water, chronicles the period 2006–2014 via UK baths, lidos and pools. The work, a rumination of where we spend our time, brings moments of optimism and happiness to mind but still offers that solemnness of nothingness and ‘nowhereness’ so poignant of our times.
'They were places in vogue, fundamental for the life til the thirties of 20th Century [sic],' explains Cifali in his artist statement. 'Gradually, living conditions and tastes have changed, resulting in a drop of attendances, leaving the public pools uneconomical to run. Symbols of civic and architectural pride in Victorian times, today only a handful of them remain as a representation of bygone era.'
And so the series gives the viewer a moment to reflect on water – what it means in daily life, what it gives us as a society and its inexplicable function of wealth. The artist says: 'Water determines the wealth, it is indispensable to live and its lack inexorably leads to ruin, exactly as what happened to these pools'.
'These architectures, through their charm, show us the time irreversible action, the ruin, the sense of emptiness that surrounds and fills them,' Cifali continues. 'Yet they are testimony and memory of a not too far age, when they were places full of voices and laughter and the beating heart of life'.
Born in Naples, Cifali is now based in London.
Cifali states, ’They were places in vogue, fundamental for the life til the thirties of XX Century [sic]. Gradually, living conditions and tastes have changed, resulting in a drop of attendances, leaving the public pools uneconomical to run.’
The artist continues, ’Symbols of civic and architectural pride in Victorian times, today only a handful of the pools remain as a representation of bygone era.
Moseley Baths, Birmingham
Harpurhey Baths, Manchester
Forest Hill Baths, London
INFORMATION
Photography courtesy the artist
-
A celestial New York exhibition showcases Roman and Williams’ mastery of lightingLauded design studio Roman and Williams is exhibiting 100 variations of its lighting ‘family tree’ inside a historic Tribeca space
-
‘He immortalised the birth of the supermodel’: inside Dior’s career-spanning retrospective of photographer Peter LindberghOlivier Flaviano, curator and head of Paris’ La Galerie Dior, talks us through a new Peter Lindbergh retrospective, which celebrates the seminal German photographer’s longtime relationship with the French house
-
Take a bite: Laila Gohar and The Luxury Collection’s ‘Cakes & Candles’ are a sweet treat for the sensesLaila Gohar’s six cake-inspired candles draw on The Luxury Collection’s hotels around the world – where guests can enjoy matching edible confections
-
Meet Kenia Almaraz Murillo, the artist rethinking weavingKenia Almaraz Murillo draws on the new and the traditional in her exhibition 'Andean Cosmovision' at London's Waddington Custot
-
Inside Jack Whitten’s contribution to American contemporary artAs Jack Whitten exhibition ‘Speedchaser’ opens at Hauser & Wirth, London, and before a major retrospective at MoMA opens next year, we explore the American artist's impact
-
Doc'n Roll Film Festival makes its loud return to the UKThe 11th edition of the Doc'n Roll Film Festival celebrates music, culture and cinema from around the world
-
Preview the Jameel Prize exhibition, coming to London's V&A, with a focus on moving image and digital mediaThe winner of the V&A and Art Jameel’s seventh international award for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition will be showcased alongside shortlisted artists
-
Genesis Belanger is seduced by the real and the fake in LondonSculptor Genesis Belanger’s solo show, ‘In the Right Conditions We Are Indistinguishable’, is open at Pace, London
-
Francis Bacon at the National Portrait Gallery is an emotional tour de force‘Francis Bacon: Human Presence’ at the National Portrait Gallery in London puts the spotlight on Bacon's portraiture
-
Frieze Sculpture takes over Regent’s ParkTwenty-two international artists turn the English gardens into a dream-like landscape and remind us of our inextricable connection to the natural world
-
Meet Oluwole Omofemi and Bayo Akande, the founders creating a new art communityOluwole Omofemi and Bayo Akande, are behind Piece Unique, an artist agency that guides and future-proofs emerging artists’ careers
