Photographer Danilo Arata will be exhibiting a photographic show, 'Sacred and Profane', at the Malta Society of Arts, Valletta from 13 April until 3 May.
Arata's collection of photography was taken during his travels around the globe while working as a pilot.
Arata's inspiration to create these works stemmed from a fascination towards diverse cultures and their societies. Focusing on how similar and yet different societies are, immortalising through photography what is perceived as sacred and otherwise, within his voyages. These works create a conversation on contrasts as to how children are being brought up, how love is perceived, and how adulthood and life are rougher to some than to others.
The exhibition 'Sacred and Profane' is direct and to the point, bringing forth strong emotions, for it highlights humanity's vulnerability on how it depends on one's living environment. And yet, while his work has a serious discussion, it also portrays humour brought forward from some of the subjects captured in the photographs.
'Sacred and Profane' is a big project which took place over a span of eleven countries including the USA, Cuba, China, Iceland, Italy and Armenia, among others. The works range from black and white to coloured photography. It is a project which took place over the past three years.
Danilo Arata's aim is to stimulate the discussion about diversity and respect towards one another irrespective of origin. As at the end of the day, despite all the differences people may have, everyone is human.
Arata is taking the exhibition as an opportunity to collaborate with the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (PFWS), by donating proceeds from the sales. Of which funds will be used to assist in the research and projects aimed towards creating a better environment for society. This collaboration takes Danilo Arata's ideology from word to practice in trying to be part of the solution by assisting in creating a better environment for society.
Danilo Arata was born in Rome, Italy, in 1976. He is a pilot by profession and has studied Photography at the Roman Cinematography Institute 'Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia' from 2001 till 2002.
His keen eye and passion for photography follow on his travels while flying as a pilot, which shapes his work today. From initially photographing landscapes he is now taking a photojournalistic approach. Focusing on the element of reportage, he displays a penchant for visual story-telling and capturing the essence of people and their humanity.
Arata has exhibited 'A World of Human Shadows' first version, at the Malta Society of Arts, January 2017 and 'A World of Human Shadows' second version, at the Swieqi local council, May 2017.
His work reflects on people, humanity and what makes individuals across the globe the same and unique at the same time, irrespective of the environmental influences created by the respective societal norms.