FIAF

Luci d'Artista in these years from 1998 to the present day has not only been a great art and urban landscape event, nor even just a moment of research on art in its encounter with technology: Luci d'Artista has in fact been an unprecedented generator of a whole series of technical skills, unique skills, and above all a great generator of photographic images. Obviously we mean all those photos that you as the Luci d'Artista audience took, on film in the first years, and in a certainly more considerable number on digital in the following years, but not only: one of the most interesting experiences now indissolubly linked to the history of Luci d'Artista is the collaboration born in 1998 with the Turin section of FIAF, i.e. the Italian Federation of Photographic Associations. In all these years, FIAF has conducted an enormous number of photo campaigns aimed at portraying Luci d'Artista in all their forms, both the new lights that were installed and those that have become part of the Luci collection and that are redistributed throughout the city from year to year, in many cases changing location. Photographing the, in many cases, huge ambient light installations immersed in the urban landscape, at night, in a city where the light intensity is constantly changing, is one of the most difficult tests for a photographer (anyone can imagine that). Luci d'Artista was therefore an ideal subject for many people to experiment and refine their technique. But the really interesting element of this collaboration is the enormous and irreplaceable service that FIAF has carried out for Luci d'Artista, giving life to a photography workshop that has been prolonged over time and that has made it possible today to have a detailed and very large photographic documentation of Luci d'Artista over the years, largely composed of beautiful and evocative shots, which are perhaps the best commentary and communication of the event. As Luci d'Artista we have often drawn on this photographic pool, and we will continue to do so in the future, relentlessly pursuing this incredible laboratory of photography. 

Antonio Grulli, curator of Luci d’Artista. 

La FIAF and the Luci

In Turin, on 19 December 1948, in an Italy in full reconstruction fervour after the tragedy of the war, the “Federazione Italiana Associazioni Fotografiche” (FIAF) was founded. 

Its mission is to disseminate and support amateur photography, coordinating its various realities throughout the country. In three quarters of a century, the FIAF has not changed its original intent. Today it has around 5,000 members and more than 500 affiliated photoclubs, through which it reaches more than 40,000 people interested in the world of photography.  

It has a recently updated statute, which has enabled the Federation to be registered with the third sector (ETS). It is a founding member of the Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique (FIAP).  

FIAF is today a modern, dynamic association.  Its great strength is the network of all those who work in various capacities, making available the multiple cultural, photographic and organisational skills of all enthusiasts who make photography their true, great passion in life. 

The FIAF has been unanimously recognised for having made the history of Italian amateur photography, from its foundation to the present day, always being ready to monitor and interpret the various cultural processes that have passed through the different historical phases.  

Throughout the country it cooperates with the most important cultural institutions. A significant example is the activity related to Luci d'Artista. Since the first lighting, photographers registered with the FIAF have been attracted by the spectacle of these luminous installations and have taken hundreds of pictures, challenging the technical difficulties of shooting at night. Their photographs were used in a volume dedicated to the Lights and, together with the forthcoming aerial shots with the drone, are available for the communication of this important open-air museum. 

Claudio Pastrone, FIAF Honorary President