Support Ukrainian citizens affected by the bloody Russian invasion by buying an author’s shot. It can be done thanks to the idea of a group of 74 photographers, who launched the “To get there for Ukraine” initiative, with the support of Photolux Festival, Ardesia Project and Jest.
Seventy-four artists with different histories and backgrounds, but united by a single objective: to give concrete help – and as quickly as possible – to populations tormented by war. “It all started with my story on Instagram”, he tells Republic Iacopo Pasqui, the young photographer who started the project: “I asked my colleagues if there was anyone interested in selling their works to donate the proceeds to a humanitarian association. It all started very spontaneously and I didn’t I imagined that I would be able to involve many authors “.
Instead the word spread quickly and many wanted to participate. To better structure the initiative, and to reach as wide an audience as possible, the group involved three important realities in the world of photography such as the Photolux Festival of Lucca, the cultural association Ardesia Projects and the Turin association Jest. On a site created ad hoc you can choose the shots, which are printed on fine paper (in 20 by 30 format) and sent to your home. The cost is 60 euros per copy, a decidedly “competitive” price for fine art photographs.
“Obviously we do not earn anything, we only keep the costs of printing and shipping” explains Pasqui, who is keen to underline the totally collective nature of the project: “I only gave the initial idea, but then everything went on thanks to the commitment of many colleagues, starting with Emanuele Camerini, Benedetta Casagrande, Paolo Berra, Francesca Cirilli, Chiara Ruberti and many others. We made every decision together “.
A small challenge, which the group managed to face while continuing its various professional commitments: “This is also why we had to stop at 74 participants – says Pasqui – because otherwise it would have become really difficult for us to manage the work”. Each photographer was able to freely choose the works to be put up for sale, without limits or indications: there are shots of all kinds, from the more strictly artistic ones to landscapes and portraits, but also images of photojournalists. And the response of the people has been more than positive: almost 8 thousand euros have already been collected in a few days. The sale will close on March 31, but it is not excluded that, given the success, the initiative may be repeated even after.
The authors are not only Italians (from all over the country) but also foreigners. And among them there is a Ukrainian photographer, who also helped in the choice of the non-profit organization to which to donate the money. The funds will go to the Vostok SOS association, a small but widespread local organization that provides food, medical assistance and psychological support to the victims of the conflict. And the first money, explains Pasqui, will probably leave soon. Because the situation on the ground is increasingly dramatic and time is running out.