I love Casalbaroncolo, as I love summer. I often pair these two elements in my head. That afternoon of the 3rd of August 2012 was definitely busy, in the sense that “the whole world” seemed to be in Casalbaroncolo! There was me, the twins Cristina & Mara, their 4 kids (of them, Pietro [son of Cristina] and Margherita [daughter of Mara] also looked like twins!), there was Chiara, Lisa with 3 friends, 2 cousins of Lisa & Margherita, the dogs, and…there were the horses! Enjoy these mixed memories 🙂
I took some shots of Matilde in October 2011. At that time she was 15 years old (not far from turning 16). When you are at that age, your life is busy: there’s school, there are friends (of all types!), sport activities, your mobile is always in your hands and you can be grumpy, especially with your parents and siblings.Â
I was a teenager a long time ago but I still remember feeling neither one thing nor the other. Everything seemed complicated. Adolescence is a strange, delicate turning point. Childhood is behind you but the future is ahead of you and you don’t know where you belong. Dualism is extremely accentuated and is a typical trait of this phase of life: on one hand, you are carefree but, on the other, you need to be serious. You are too young to be involved in certain things but too grown up for others.
Matilde has always looked more grown up that she actually was. She has always been responsible, sharp and with clarity in mind. I was very happy to spend an hour with her and her auntie!
I spent my Erasmus year (back in 2004/2005) in France. I shared a flat with Carlotta & Martina. During that year, we spent a lot of time together, but it was not just related to the fact that we were living in the same place: we went to events and parties together, we traveled together, we helped each other whilst writing our essays, we grew up a lot and learnt to be more patient and understanding one with the other and to see our differences as funny and stimulating. That unique experience created a bond that, I like to believe, will last in time.
In august 2011, Carlotta invited Martina, with her family, and me to her beautiful family compound in Cozzano, in the hills south of Parma. Martina’s eldest son was a toddler, while Carlotta had welcomed her first born weeks before. It was a pleasure for me to “spy” with my camera Giona’s curious and busy activities and to admire the peaceful and defenseless cuteness of baby Dario, well protected in the arms of his mum.
I like his profile, below, and the light contrast, even though you cannot see his face…
Uhm, somebody is running late with the grocery shopping…Luckily Lafayette (the basset hound!) doesn’t seem worried!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 