Dream of Venice

New book seeks to capture the dream of Venice manifested in the writings of about 40 writers and celebrities. And in the suggestive and unsentimental photos of Charles Christopher.

Charles Christopher works in Hollywood as still photographer and his talent for mystery, drama and storytelling is ever present in his photos from Venice. The short Dream of Venice book, edited by Joann Locktov, contains none of the gondola shots we have seen a million times before. There are no photographic clichés of Saint Mark’s Basilica. Or of the Bridge of Sighs.

Beauty in Decay

Instead Charles Christopher’s camera captures the spirit of Venice. There are shadows glimpsed in passing, deserted alleyways, decaying beauty, reflections of darkness and light and mysterious shapes emerging through the fog. You can see the silence of the car-free city, breathe the characteristic mixture of wet building blocks and salty air, and feel the tiny pinpricks of moisture on your skin, just by looking at the pictures. It’s almost like being there.

Most of the photos are still-life apart from the occasional seagull.

Celebrity Thoughts

The photos are accompanied by brief texts on Venice by people like Woody Allen, Peggy Guggenheim, Marcella Hazan, Patricia Highsmith and Erica Jong. The foreword is written by Frances Mayes. And a portion of the proceeds from each book will be donated to Save Venice Inc. to support art and architecture restorations in Venice.

So for everyone who dreams of Venice, there’s a good reason to get a copy and keep on dreaming.

The poetry of a deserted street in a dark, wet night.

Disclosure: Some posts on Italian Notes are sponsored, but the opinions expressed are always our own.

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