PISA ON THE STREET
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Pisa on the street - A daily life project
Pisa on the Street: A Student Project’s Journey to the World Stage
Originating in 2015 from an advanced photography course, the "Pisa on the street" project was an initiative where ten talented students transformed an academic assignment into a cultural phenomenon that resonated deeply within the city of Pisa. The journey culminated in an unprecedented visit to the headquarters of the world's most prestigious photo agency, Magnum Photos, in New York.
The initial goal of the group of photographers was to document the authentic, daily life of Pisa, looking beyond the usual tourist clichés.
The young photographers immersed themselves in the city's streets and squares, producing dozens of powerful black-and-white shots that captured the truest soul of Pisa.
Their best work was compiled into a professional-quality photo book, which became the passport to the next chapter of their journey. The initiative gained significant local recognition, earning the support of key city institutions.
The "Idee per Pisa" association provided crucial organizational support. Furthermore, the project received patronage from the Municipality of Pisa (Comune di Pisa), which recognized its high cultural value and its potential to promote a dynamic image of the city.
The quality of the photo book was so exceptional that it opened an extraordinary door: the work was noticed by the legendary Magnum Photos agency.
This led to an official invitation for the student group to visit their New York headquarters. On April 8, 2015, the dream became a reality. The trip was not merely a visit but a comprehensive educational experience, which also included a street photography workshop on the streets of Manhattan.
Upon their return, the story of their success resonated widely, leading to the organization of a major exhibition titled "Pisa/NY on the street". Inaugurated on May 30, 2015, at the Museo della Grafica in Palazzo Lanfranchi, the exhibition placed 50 photographs in dialogue, creating a powerful parallel between the streets of Pisa and the avenues of New York.
The show definitively solidified the project's status as one of the year's main cultural events in Pisa, celebrating the talent of its young photographers and their exceptional debut on the international stage.
