Marina Sersale's Liminal Space: A Decade of Monochrome World Photography
Marina Sersale's Liminal Space is a captivating black-and-white photography series that spans over a decade, offering a visual exploration of the spaces between light and shadow, reality and imagination. Conceived during her wanderings in her native Rome, this personal document captures people, sights, and scenes from across the globe, including Italy, Japan, France, the United States, Sweden, Iran, and Argentina, with images taken between 2013 and 2021.
Artistic Journey and Inspirations
A former documentary film-maker, Sersale returned to photography in late 2012, embarking on a deeply personal and continually evolving artistic journey. Her work is characterized by an attentive, instinctive gaze that lingers on the ephemeral, where light and atmosphere become carriers of meaning. Liminal Space is published by Gost, bringing together dramatic monochrome images that highlight her fascination with texture, lines, and the interplay of elements in everyday scenes.
Key Images and Stories
The series includes poignant moments from various locations:
- Positano, 2015: A couple holding hands on the seashore, where Sersale notes, "I love the way that simple gesture says it all." Another image from Positano captures a friend diving off a boat, a lucky shot that embodies the spontaneous beauty of her work.
- Naoshima, 2017: Shot at the Tadao Ando Benesse museum in Japan, this image showcases the lines, light, and texture of cement walls, with Sersale expressing inspiration from Ando's architectural work.
- Naples, 2018: A rainy day at the Toledo metro station exit, capturing a moment of "sweet nothings" between individuals, highlighting the emotional depth in urban settings.
- Rome, 2015: An image taken on the way to an appointment, fascinated by the texture of wooden scaffolding and slanting light, enhanced by a woman leaning in, making the scene come alive.
- Amalfi, 2017: Shot from a ferry along the Amalfi coast, this photo explores the layers that materialize when looking through a window, adding a sense of depth and mystery.
- Palermo, 2017: Described as a "totally magical city" by Sersale, this image features empty chairs, reflecting her love for capturing serene and evocative moments.
- Coney Island, 2017: A winter's day on the beach with a man and birds, emphasizing solitude and the stark beauty of monochrome landscapes.
- Kurashiki, 2017: Taken during a trip to Japan, this image of three men "looked like something out of a film," possibly on their way to lunch, blending reality with cinematic imagination.
Themes and Impact
Liminal Space serves as a visual diary, documenting Sersale's travels and artistic evolution. Her work emphasizes the power of black-and-white photography to convey emotion and narrative through contrasts and subtle details. From sunbathers in Positano to rain-soaked metro stations in Naples, each image tells a story, inviting viewers to see the world through her lens. This series not only showcases technical skill but also a profound connection to the environments and moments she captures, making it a significant contribution to contemporary photography and art.
