Leone Balduzzi's 'What would Beyonce Do?' offers glimpse of everyday Italy

Leone Balduzzi’s limited edition photography book ‘What Would Beyonce Do?’ was recently presented by the publishing house, C41 earlier this month at a temporary exhibition at Riviera Creative Space, which is an informal space in Milan that hosts designers and creatives from around the world.

Riviera operates on the idea that simplicity begets interesting collaborations and relationships amongst people. The set-up of the exhibition-cum-book launch was also minimalistic, staying true to Riviera’s characteristic style. It consisted of industrial brick totems that held several copies of the book, in addition to wall installations that carried enlarged prints of the pages of the book.

“This is a strongly autobiographical book and that is why I think you will not like it,” says Leone in the preface of his book ‘What Would Beyonce Do’, of which only 200 copies are available for purchase.

Part of the second part of the C41 Edition, which comprises a series of collectable books focused on telling extraordinary stories that revolve around contemporary issues and convey introspective reflections on the same, this interestingly titled photography book comprises a series of self-portraits that offer a glimpse into the multifaceted personality of the photographer while also granting a peek into the everyday scenes in Italy.

Leone Balduzzi or Leone is a Milan-based photographer, producer and creative director who has extensively worked in the fields of film, fashion, music and media. It is perhaps these experiences that have lent him the ability to visualise ordinary everyday scenes and happenings in an atypical and interesting manner. The contents of the book deliver on this, presenting a series of playful and aesthetic photograph shots that authentically communicate the happenings of everyday life in Italy, most of which stay hidden due to the glamorised aura that is associated with the country.

Also the founder of C41, a Milan-based magazine and creative production company that operates in the realm of contemporary visual arts, Leone is touted in the creative industry as a portraitist with an ironic style and diverse professional experiences. ‘What Would Beyonce Do?’, wrapped in bright orange hardcover, is a potent visual reflection of his journey of self-discovery. Narrated with wit and sharpness, each subsequent photograph in the book serves as a cogent representation of a new side of his personality. Shot over the span of the last ten years in different settings, different costumes and with different shooting techniques, they are representative of the many different characters that the photographer embodies.