Stefano Azario is a French-born photographer with international acclaim for his commercial, fashion, and documentary photography work. One of his recent projects, which has garnered much attention, is his exploration of Italy’s decaying infrastructure. In this project, Stefano aims to capture beauty in decay and show how things that are falling apart can be beautiful and interesting for the story they hold within. When Stefano returned to Italy after the initial Covid lockdown, the empty streets immediately sparked his interest in the country’s deteriorating infrastructure. He started photographing the dilapidated houses, bridges, structures that spoke of ma’s interaction with nature because their stories spoke loud. As time went on, he gained a profound appreciation for the artistic characteristics of deterioration and started to spend more and more of his attention on this element of his work.
Flawless is not perfect
Stefano Azario’s work often highlights the value of imperfection and decay, which is a concept deeply ingrained in Japanese culture which he values greatly. In Japan, the traditional aesthetic philosophy of Wabi-Sabi celebrates the beauty of the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It encourages people to appreciate the beauty found in things that are old, weathered, and even flawed, rather than seeking perfection.
Similarly, in Stefano’s photography, he captures the beauty of deterioration and displays it in his photographs, encouraging viewers to appreciate the beauty in imperfection. This can be seen in the way he photographs buildings in various stages of decay, inviting viewers to reflect on the value of imperfection and to celebrate the beauty that can be found in the imperfect.
His work serves as a gentle reminder that there is beauty in imperfection and that even things that are breaking apart may be intriguing and lovely in their way.
In conclusion, Stefano Azario’s creative exploration of Italy’s deteriorating infrastructure is both riveting and thought-provoking. Through his photographs, Stefano challenges us to take a fresh perspective on the world and value the inherent charm that can be discovered even in its flaws.