Museo Italo Americano presents “Elio & Stefano Ciol: Into The Light” at Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture. This exhibit showcases the work of father-son photographers, Elio and Stefano Ciol.

The exhibit is on view from Tuesday, September 24, 2024 through Sunday, February 2, 2025. Museo hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m. (Noon) to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Closed on major holidays.)

The father-son duo, hailing from Casarsa della Delizia in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, have gathered a selection of works that highlight their masterful use of light, perfect balance of geometric lines and angles, and photographic composition — three essential aspects that enable them to create visually captivating and highly structured pieces.

Elio Ciol, renowned as one of the foremost masters of landscape photography, showcases a collection spanning more than 60 years. Included are images of Friulian landscapes, portraits of Italian poet and filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini (a dear childhood friend), and two special tributes: one to Assisi, a city to which the artist feels a deep connection and which is twinned with San Francisco, and another to the U.S. Elio Ciol has compiled an impressive photographic collection of Italian art, architecture, landscapes, and archaeological sites, with a special focus on the Friulian region. Many of his predominantly black and white shots have been featured in more than 100 solo exhibitions.

Stefano Ciol invites viewers to explore an intense selection of works where landscapes unfold through veils of light, mist, and snow. These are images not only to be observed but to be experienced — they beckon the viewer to share in the contemplative experience of the artist, a sensory journey that transcends sight to touch the soul. Mastery in the use of light, shadows, and chromatic tones is the key that opens the door to this almost meditative experience. His sensitivity to light and shadow has driven him towards continual technological advancements. He has adeptly merged traditional techniques with cutting-edge methods to perfect the harmony between his vision and the final image.

Free Admission on Thursdays

This exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco with the patronageof the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco.