La miglior veduta • Diego Mayon
26.05.2025, h 18.30
Talk with:
Enrico Dal Buono
Diego Mayon
Raffaele Vertaldi
Careof presents “La miglior veduta”, a public meeting dedicated to the photographic project “From Ceylon To Sri Lanka” by Diego Mayon, who will be in conversation with writer and journalist Enrico Dal Buono and curator and photoeditor Raffaele Vertaldi.
The project originates from a trip made by Mayon to Sri Lanka in December 2019, during which he documented the country with a keen eye on the signs of modernization and the growing weight of tourism. Upon returning to Italy, he stumbled upon a rare colonial photographic album, published in the 1920s-30s by Plâté Ltd and titled “Le cento migliori vedute di Ceylon”. The comparison between these historical images and contemporary shots gave rise to a broader reflection on the role of photography in the construction of the tourist imaginary and on the transformations of the territory.
Since gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has indeed become an emblematic case of accelerated development, not without its criticisms. On one hand, the sector represents one of the country's main economic resources; on the other, overtourism has generated significant impacts on the environment, local communities, and natural and cultural heritage. Photography, once used as a promotional tool to attract visitors, is now transformed into a means of analysis and testimony.
The talk is an opportunity to present this ongoing work and delve into the themes of visual decolonization, the evolution of the landscape, and the social and environmental impact of mass tourism.
“From Ceylon To Sri Lanka” by Diego Mayon is the winner of Strategia Fotografia 2024, promoted by Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea del Ministero della Cultura. Careof and Kaiya Collective are cultural partners of the project.
Diego Mayon
Diego Mayon is a photojournalist and documentary photographer whose work focuses on the transformation of landscapes.
He graduated in Tourism Sciences and Territorial Development from IULM University in Milan and obtained a Master's degree in Photography and Visual Design from the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) in Milan. He collaborates with international and national magazines such as “The New York Times Style Magazine”, “Financial Times”, “Style Magazine” – “Corriere della Sera”, “Linkiesta”, “Monocle”, and previously with “IL Idee e Lifestyle del Sole 24 Ore” and “Domus”.
In 2017, his work was awarded at the Sony World Photography Awards in the Professional Architecture category, participating in the award exhibition in London (Somerset House), Paris (Salon de la Photo), Tokyo (Imaging Gallery), Bucharest (Photo Fest), and Monza (Villa Reale). In 2020, he was nominated to participate in the international photography award Leica Oskar Barnack Award by curator Benedetta Donato.
His projects have been presented in national and international contexts, including the Festival di Fotografia Etica in Lodi, Athens Photofestival, PHotoEspaña, Rovinj Photodays, PHOTOBLOCK London, and BASE Milano. Throughout his career, he has participated in training workshops with some of the most renowned international photographers, including Christopher Anderson, Davide Monteleone, Rafal Milach (Magnum Photos), and Stefano De Luigi (VII Agency).
He has collaborated with photographer Franco Pagetti and worked at the Anzenberger agency and gallery in Vienna. His works are part of the collection of the Fondo Malerba di Fotografia.
With “Grey Grass”, a monograph published in the form of a newspaper, he was selected as a finalist for Scan PhotoBooks, Tarragona; Maribor Photobook Award (special mention); PHotoEspaña, Madrid; Self Publish Riga; Portfolio Italia (special mention); The Documentary Photography Days, Istanbul. He has won several awards, including International Award EXPO CAMPAIGN; Lifeframer, London; and Best Photo Zine, Calstelnuovo Fotografia, Rome.
He is a member of the order of journalists.