Welcome to Ep. #68 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with the creative duo Camilla Marrese and Gabriele Chiapparini—two artists whose collaborative work challenges conventions in photography, publishing, and storytelling. Known for their poetic book "Thinking Like an Island", the pair explore how photography can be both an act of discovery and a deeply personal narrative. About Our Guests: Camilla Marrese & Gabriele Chiapparini Camilla is a photographer, graphic designer, and visual editor at PHMuseum, known for her meticulous approach to photo book design and her narrative sensibility. Gabriele began his artistic path through music before turning to photography, bringing with him a deep sensitivity to sequencing and atmosphere. Together, they’ve formed a creative practice that blurs authorship and embraces intuition, experimentation, and deep research.Their acclaimed project "Thinking Like an Island"—shot on the remote Sicilian island of Alicudi—is a lyrical meditation on isolation, perception, and the desire to escape. The book, structured as four interlocking volumes, reflects both the physical disorientation of island life and the conceptual fragmentation of modern existence.Tune in to this episode to:- Hear the story of how Camilla and Gabriele met, merged practices, and developed their first collaborative projects.- Explore how photography and music intersect through rhythm, tone, and emotional pacing.- Discover the conceptual and logistical challenges behind their book "Thinking Like an Island".- Learn how photobooks become tactile, multi-sensory works of art.- Get an exclusive preview of their upcoming projects on climate science and militarized aesthetics. Don’t forget to: - Subscribe to our channel for deep dives into photography and visual storytelling. - Like and share this episode to support independent photographic voices. - Follow us for behind-the-scenes updates, interviews, and upcoming features.EPISODE LINKS:Camilla’s Instagram: @camillamarrese Gabriele’s Instagram: @gabrielechiappariniPHMuseum: phmuseum.comOUTLINE:

0:00 - Coming Up...

2:36 - Intro

4:14 - Artistic Roots and Emotional Entry Points

8:09 - First Projects and Formative Experiments

9:44 - Becoming a Duo: Morocco and Merging Visions

12:34 - Melancholy and Mutual Fascination

15:18 - Sequencing Photos Like Music

20:21 - Albums vs. Singles: Why Photobooks Matter

22:46 - Inspirations from Literature and Photography

28:51 - What Makes a Great Photobook?

35:34 - Thinking Like an Island: Utopia, Escape, and Modern Myth

41:25 - Discovering Alicudi and Island as Concept

47:21 - Designing a Disorienting Book Structure

54:13 - Shooting in All Directions: Techniques and Tools

1:01:17 - Themes of Hiding, Camouflage, and Elusive Truths

1:03:09 - Layering Voices: Diaries and Islander Quotes

1:07:37 - Living on the Island: Terrain, Limitations, Time

1:14:01 - What the Island Taught Us About Reality

1:16:57 - Ethics of Representation and Local Reception

1:19:49 - Imagining an Exhibition of “The Island”

1:21:18 - Sneak Peek: Climate and Military-Inspired Projects

1:27:23 - Science as Ritual and Intimate Uncertainty

1:29:51 - Collaborating as a Duo: Contrast and TrustSOCIAL: Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcastTAGS: #TheUrbanautPodcast #CamillaMarrese #GabrieleChiapparini #TheIsland #PhotobookDesign #PhotographyPodcast #ContemporaryPhotography #Alicudi #VisualNarrative #ClimateArt #CollaborativeArt #PhotobookLove #Urbanautica #SteveBisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #67 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this compelling episode, we sit down with the insightful Swiss-based visual artist Roxana Savin, originally from Romania. Roxana's diverse body of work explores deep themes of identity, belonging, gender roles, and the status of women in contemporary society, influenced by her personal experiences and rich cultural heritage.

About Our Guest:

Roxana Savin Roxana Savin navigates complex narratives through her photography, transitioning from a legal career in Romania to a profound engagement with visual art. Her projects, such as 'On Heaven's Doorsill' and 'I’ll Be Late Tonight', offer a thoughtful exploration of societal roles and personal identity, reflecting her experiences both in Eastern Europe and as an expatriate in Western societies. Her work has been internationally acclaimed, earning her numerous awards and exhibitions across Europe.

Tune in to this episode to:

• Explore Roxana's transformative journey from a law professional to a celebrated visual artist.

• Delve into her poignant projects that discuss gender roles, migration, and cultural identity.

• Discover how her Romanian heritage and personal narratives influence her artistic expression.

Don't forget to:

• Subscribe to our channel for more episodes that delve into the world of art and visual culture.

• Like and share this episode to support discussions on gender roles and personal transformation in art.

• Follow us on social media for updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

EPISODE LINKS: R

Roxana's Webiste: www.roxanasavin.com | Roxana’s Instagram: @roxanasavin

OUTLINE:

0:00 - Coming Up...

2:51 - Introduction

• 3:42 - Roxana’s Early Life and Career Shift

• 9:19 - Migration and the Impact of Moving Abroad

• 11:51 - Finding Art and Embracing Change

• 17:54 - Gender Equality and Advocacy

• 25:18 - 'On Heaven's Doorsill' Project

• 35:04 - 'I’ll Be Late Tonight' Project

• 40:34 - 'God Created Woman' Project

• 48:01 - Artistic Processes and Creative Insights

• 56:33 - Reflections on Cultural Identity and Artistic Expression

• 1:05:04 - Balancing Motherhood and Artistic Career

• 1:13:26 - Societal Impact and Future Directions

• 1:21:50 - Concluding Thoughts

• 1:29:38 - Exploring the Concept of Home and Belonging

• 1:37:13 - Artistic Reflections and Philosophical Insights

• 1:45:46 - Impact of Art on Personal and Social Change

• 1:53:24 - Closing Remarks and Advice for Emerging Artists

• 2:01:39 - Future Projects and Farewell

• SOCIAL:

  • Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast

  • Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast

  • Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast

  • Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast

  #RoxanaSavin #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #VisualArt #SwissArt #RomanianArt #CulturalIdentity #GenderRoles #VisualNarrative #ArtisticExploration #urbanautica #stevebisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

🎙️ Welcome to Episode #66 of The Urbanaut Podcast!

Presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com, this episode features the brilliant Adam Friedberg, a New York-based photographer known for his deeply observational work capturing urban spaces, architectural elements, and the changing cityscape.

About Our Guest: Adam Friedberg

Adam Friedberg’s photography explores the intersection of architecture, space, and absence, often focusing on overlooked environments like empty lots, single-story buildings, and hidden urban details. His career spans from assisting top commercial photographers in the 90s to becoming a highly regarded artist with a distinct voice in architectural and documentary photography. Friedberg’s work balances technical precision with a meditative approach to image-making, inviting viewers to reconsider their surroundings.

Tune in to this episode to:

- Discover how a Tibetan monk's advice set Adam on his creative journey.
- Hear the wild story of how he crashed a fashion photography studio and landed his first job.
- Explore the philosophy behind his work—why he focuses on "a thing or not a thing".
- Learn about his major projects, including Empty Lots, Single Story, and Urban Jungle.
- Gain insights into photography as a trade vs. art form, the evolution of New York, and the tension between commercial and personal work.

OUTLINE:

0:00 - Coming Up…

1:01 - Introduction & Guest Background

2:59 - Academia, Philosophy, and the CIA Connection

6:30 - The Tibetan Monk’s Advice That Changed Everything

7:20 - Accidental Entry into Photography

9:27 - Learning Photography Through Immersion

12:22 - The Reality of Assisting in High-End Fashion Photography

16:00 - The Grueling Pace of Commercial Photography in the 90s

29:03 - The Shift from Fashion to Personal Work

32:06 - Finding a New Direction in Architectural Photography

49:14 - The Concept of “A Thing or Not a Thing” in Photography

51:19 - Major Photography Projects & The Evolution of His Work

57:14 - The Influence of Books and Prints on Photography

1:11:52 - The Role of Imperfection & Photography as a Trade vs. Art Form

1:15:02 - The Challenge of Documenting a Changing City

1:19:24 - Why He Refuses to Crop His Photos

1:41:13 - Final Thoughts & The Nature of Seeing

Don't forget to:

- Subscribe to our channel for more conversations with artists and photographers.
- Like & Share this episode if you enjoy deep-dive discussions on photography and creative practice.
- Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

EPISODE LINKS:

Adam Friedberg’s Work: www.adamfriedberg.com | Instagram: @adam_friedberg

SOCIALS:

Twitter: @UrbanautPodcast
Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast
Instagram: @TheUrbanautPodcast
Support us on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast

Hashtags:

#AdamFriedberg #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #UrbanPhotography #Architecture #NewYork #ArtisticExploration #Urbanautica #PhotographyPodcast #VisualNarrative #Cityscapes