Series of shots taken for the project "Camera con vista. San Benedetto / Pesaro. Andata e ritorno".

“Delitto e Ornamento” is a project that delves into and closely examines the structures and architectures that, even after seventy years, continue to encapsulate the quintessential idea of the Italian vacation. These buildings are more than just physical spaces; they act as symbols of an enduring cultural aspiration, reflecting the lifestyle and values tied to leisure and escape during Italy’s post-war economic boom.

Through a carefully constructed visual narrative, the project transforms these architectural forms into living testimonies. They become mirrors of the profound social and touristic transformations that have left an indelible mark on the character and identity of Adriatic cities. These urban landscapes reveal a dialogue between nostalgia and modernization, shedding light on how tourism has shaped not only the physical environment but also the collective imagination of these communities.

By tracing the layers of history embedded in these spaces, the work uncovers the often-overlooked story of vacation homes. These modest yet significant structures reveal the shifting priorities and aspirations of different eras, from their origins as symbols of affordable leisure to their later evolution into sites of contested urban development. At the same time, the project highlights the contradictions that persist within these architectural forms, offering a critical perspective on the tensions between preservation and change, memory and progress, utility and ornamentation.

The project was part of the exhibition “Camera con vista. San Benedetto/Pesaro. Andata e ritorno” in the section dedicated to the book-project “Views in a Day.”

Pesaro, 2024

Photography
Lorenzo Urgesi

Supervisor
Luca Capuano