Venice is lonely
by Ana Maria Prelipcean
Maybe for some people, Venice is just a city, just a place where they can relax, drink a coffee, eat a tiramisu and have a walk. But are you sure it’s just that, just an ordinary city?
I am not in Venice to document something, I am not here to write a story, because the city itself is my story for three days. It’s very romantic to walk in a story, don’t you think? To live in your own novel written by itself, to laugh and be sad, to share tears and smiles, to enjoy and get confused. I have always dreamt to visit Venice in the winter. Why? Because I’m just scared of the crowds, of all the people running all over, trying to get the perfect selfie, the perfect picture of a sunrise or a sunset…because I want Venice for myself, even if only for a couple of days.
I have always wondered how locals feel when they get up in the morning and drink their coffee with such a beautiful view, but after reading that they have to leave their homes because of the mass tourism, and the problems the city has, I got upset. Is it possible that in less than 100 years Venice is gone forever? It would be so tragic to see this story dying.
Even in November, tourists are still there, more than locals, but I’m able to enjoy and “smell” the city in my terms. I can talk to the narrow streets and fall in love with the lamp lights and the bridges at the night.
In my photographs I’m always trying to capture the soul of a place or human being and that’s why my Venice here is “tickled” with a 50mm Lensbaby in order to create that dreamy and out-of-this-world feeling. This is the perfect lens for a mysterious city. Yes, Venice is loud, but in my photographs, I insist on its quietness, its colourful and romantic spirit and its loneliness and fears.
