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Circolo Fotografico La Gondola di Venezia
Introduction

"Circolo Fotografico la Gondola, Venezia" is a non-for-profit creative association of people cultivating their shared passion for photography. It was officially founded in 1948 in the years of post-Second World War, as a member and co- founder of the FIAF (Federazione Italiania Associazione Fotografiche). This was thanks to the initiative of photographers Gino Bolognini, Paolo Monti, Alfredo Bresciani and Luciano Scattola, who before founding the circolo used to meet in a Piazza San Marco shop in the after hours of their respective jobs. In 2003, La Gondola took the juridical form of an "association di promozione sociale" (non-profit). The administration and archives of La Gondola is located in the Palazzo Fortuny in Venice, while the circle members host their meetings in Centro Zitelle "cZ95" at the island of Giudecca.

History

The La Gondola characterized itself by its ability to mediate between formalism and neo-realism, developing a prevailingly "lyric-realistic" style in photography. It has been identified in Europe as "l'école de Venise", between neorealism and formalism.

La Gondola have seen many talented photographers in its row of members, such as Gianni Berenger Gardin, Fulvio Roiter, Bruno Rosso, Sergio Del Pero.

 Archives  

At the occasion of the exhibition 30 anni di fotografia a Venezia, il Circolo Fotografico La Gondola, 1948-1978, The Archives which is located in since 1990 in Palazzo Fortuny. It contains an impressive collection of unique vintage works. A part of the historical archives has been recognized as of "exceptional cultural interest" by the Italian Ministery of Culture and Cultural Activity.

In November of 2010, the historical archive included 16.539 prints of which 11.308 was created by associated members, 1.663 by non-members, and 58 by anonymous photographers. There was also 33.445 negatives, 3.980 of the diapositives were conserved. There archive also has registered documents related to the activities of previous member: memorandum, press articles, letters, exhibition documents, etc.

 Current operations  

"La Gondola's" current president since 1994 is Manfredo Manfroy. In 2013, the Circolo Fotografico la Gondola counted 38 members. The circolo meets Fridays in the Centro Zitelle "cZ95" on the Giudecca island, where the associated members share and discuss their photos. The organization of exhibition is one the main activity of la Gondola and two times a year it hosts exhibitions in collaboration with the Casa dei Tre Oci in Venice. They also host and participate in exhibitions in other parts of Italy or in Europe.

 A selection of exhibitions: 

1951- Mostra Fotografica Nazionale Retrospettiva 1940-50, Ca' Giustinian, Venice.

1955- Mostra del Circolo Fotografico La Gondola, Musé Guimet, Paris.

1961- IIIa Mostra Biennale Internazionale della Fotografia, in collaboration with Photokina, Magnum Photos, Kodak and Camera, Venice.

1980- 30 anni di fotografia a Venezia, il Circolo Fotografico La Gondola, 1948-1978, Palazzo Fortuny, Venice.

2001- Venezia è l'acqua, Sala Quartiere, San Leonardo, Venice

2007- La Gondola - sessant'anni di fotografia a Venezia, Mestre, Centro Culturale Candiani.