Mignon History

history

Mignon was born in 1995 from an idea of Giampaolo Romagnosi who, together with Mauro Minotto and Angelo Tassitano, wished to realise a photographic project directed towards the re-evaluation of the little things the are part of the every day, fixing as the only obligation the shooting and printing in black and white.
"Little things" that rotate around Man, the only aim of Mignon research.
From the beginning, there has been a profound interest in the historical testimonies of photography with a social vocation; from the fundamental work realised by the F.S.A. (Farm Security Administration) to the incomparable function covered by the PHOTO LEAGUE in the growth of the photographic culture to the best pages of world photojournalism (LIFE and the photographs of MAGNUM).

Some meetings with "humanist" photographers have contributed to supply great vigour and enthusiasm to the group’s project. At first the attendances by Giovanni Umicini, influenced the poetics of the group determining a particular attention to "street photography" and the operative instruments to use: an essential bianconero, followed from the shot to the final print. The product of which, at image level, is a strong visual economy that just touches that "documentary glance" characteristic of social photography.

More recently, the meeting and friendship established with Naomi and Walter Rosenblum, have signalled the confirmation of the goodwill of the projected intentions of the group. In particular Rosenblum’s philosophy has been completely accepted that could be contained in the following phrase: "I have photographed both people known just for a moment and others with whom I had a profound relationship, but it every case I have always tried to pay homage to the subjects I photographed."
The "paying homage" is surely an aspect retained essential in the Mignon project, as well as the aspect of communication. On message level it is underlined that there is no pedagogical vain ambition but more simply the propensity to speak to the observer and share the interest in the "human landscape".

Recently an important relationship took place with Angelo Maggi, Professor of History of Photography at the Facultyof Architectures of the University of Venice, author of some monographies of Mignon photographers. He stimulated a new interest in places and spaces signed by human presence and in the traces, which can be found both in landscapes and in closed spaces, capable of testifying the acts of man in this age.

CHRONOLOGY

1995   In the research for a more stimulating comparison Giampaolo Romagnosi proposes to Mauro Minotto and Angelo Tassitano the idea of creating a group that, thanks to the affinities between the authors, would develop a coherent photographic language aimed at investigating Man and his environment.

1997   The Councillorship of Culture of Piove di Sacco (Padua) promotes the exhibition "Profughi" (Refugees) of Angelo Tassitano. The meetings start with who is considered their maestro, Giovanni Umicini, to whom they dedicate their first catalogue, "Fotografie Mignon" (Mignon Photographs). Claudio Amato becomes part of the group.

1998   With the patronage of the Council of Cadoneghe (Padua) the Mignon Group organises a one-man exhibition of Giovanni Umicini.

1999   Ferdinando Fasolo joins the Mignon project.
They meet Walter Rosenblum and his wife Naomi in occasion of his exhibition in Padua.
The first exhibition of the group, that definitively involves Giovanni Umicini in the project, is held in November at the Villa Grimani Valmarana in Noventa Padovana (Padua) promoted by the councillorship of Culture. The catalogue dedicated to Naomi and Walter Rosenblum receives excellent reviews in many magazines in the sector.

2000   In June, the cultural association of "Ferri" in Padua promotes Mignon’s second exhibition with unedited prints with the title "Human Landscape" at the Ferri chapel. This same exhibition is then staged in November at the Council of Pontelongo (Padua). After a long period of attendance Marco Turetta becomes part of the group.

2001 in its spring issue "Gente di Fotografia" publish a portfolio of Mignon.
Exhinitions: Villa Ceresa a Mestre in April. In Sala Consiliare of Asolo, inside the expo FANTADIA, in May. From August untill February 2002 Photomarket Videogallery of Mestre presents seven personal exhibitions of the group members titled "Fotografi Mignon, uno sguardo condiviso".
In September, with the collaboration of the Councillorship of Culture of Correzzola, Mignon organizes the Art Expo LABIRINTI DI LUCE, held in the Benedictine Court, and proposes a new exhibition.
The 2nd and 3rd of December Walter Rosenblum inaugurates two exhibitions, promoted by the Centro Nazionale di Fotografia of Padua; the first is "Street Photograhy" of Giovanni Umicini at the Museo Civico in Piazza del Santo, the second is "Altre Umanità" of Mignon at the Oratorio di San Rocco. Starting with this event Giorgio Pandolfo joins the group.

2002 Both exhibitions in Padua are extended, they'll last one more month, given the success of public and critics. Claudio Amato leaves the group.
They exhibit in "VENEZIA IMMAGINE" 3° Salone della fotografia. Second edition of LABIRINTI DI LUCE with the new exhibition "Guardiani dei sogni".

2003 The Museum of Villa Breda in Ponte di Brenta of Padua promotes the exhibition of Mignon "New York People", the text of the catalogue is by Naomi Rosenblum. Given the success of the show the Museum approves a program of seven personal exhibitions of the group's members, as Walter Rosenblum wanted. Third edition of LABIRINTI DI LUCE with, among other artists, a personal exhibition of the photo-journalist Franco Zecchin.

2004 Personal exhibition of Ferdinando Fasolo at the Museum of Villa Breda with presentation, preparation and lectures by Naomi e Walter Rosenblum. The catalogue is the first of the series "Mignon Photographers".
The multivisione "New York People" created by Francesco Lopergolo of "Parallelo Multivisioni" for Mignon's exhibition wins the first prize at the national Festival of Misterbianco (Catania). A selection of images from "New York People" is shoved at the Galleria dell'Arco in Santa Margherita Ligure. The inter issue of Gente di Fotografia shows a portfolio of Mignon with the text of Naomi Rosenblum.

2005 They meet for the last time their great master and friend Walter Rosenblum in Seravezza (Lu) in occasion of his personal exhibition. Personal exhibitions of Mauro Minotto and Giampaolo Romagnosi at Museum of Villa Breda, with the correspondent books of the series "Mignon Photographers", the former with a text by Naomi Rosenblum,the other with text by Angelo Maggi Professor di History of Photography at I.U.A.V. of Venezia; from then a string relationship with the group begin. The Centro Studi Ettore Luccini in Padua charge group Mignon of preparing an exhibition of what remains of the factory "Galileo" in Marghera. The exhibition is held in the Major Hall. In the third issue of Fotodossier Bruna Donatelli presents a portfolio of Mignon and Nuovo Notiziario Fotografico of A.N.A.F. regularly presents ample reportages of the activities of the group, signed by Giuseppe Pappalardo.

2006 The 23rd of January, in his New York, Walter Rosenblum passes away.
Personal exhibition of Angelo Tassitano at the Museum of Villa Breda with the presentation of Italo Zannier. Fourth "Mignon Photographers" book with a text by Angelo Maggi. The group promotes "Dentro l'essere, immagini ritrovate" two exhibitions and a photographic book by Luciano Schiavon.
"Dynamic Photo Art & Performance" promotes in the Gallery "Alt Wien" of Graz (Austria) a series of personal exhibitions of the members of Mignon.
In the August issue of the monthly Art magazine GOYA Italo Zannier, within a long article on young Italian photographers, presents group Mignon.

2007 Among the many initiatives, courses and lectures, it's having a remarkable success the photographic course that the group helds from October 2006 till May 2007 at Centro Territoriale Permanente di Padova, just as the memorial evening, the 18th of January, dedicated to the memory of Walter Rosenblum, a year after his passing.