Ugo Mulas: Capturing Moments Through Photography

Ugo Mulas, L'operazione fotografica. Autoritratto per Lee Friedlander, 1971.

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"The photographer's task is to identify his own reality; that of the camera is to record it in its entirety." — Ugo Mulas

Ugo Mulas was one of the most significant international photographers of the post-war period, particularly renowned for his street photography and portraits of artists. Born in Pozzolengo, Italy, Mulas initially pursued a law degree in Milan before redirecting his focus to art and photography. Mostly self-taught, he began his photographic journey by capturing the outskirts of Milan and photographing his friends during nights out. This off-the-cuff, casual approach became a signature of his work. Mulas's unique style is characterized by a keen attention to detail, dramatic lighting, and a profound sense of composition.
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Ugo Mulas. Le opere degli artisti pop trasportate in laguna, XXXII Esposizione Biennale Internazionale d’Arte, Venezia, 1964 © Eredi Ugo Mulas. Tutti i diritti riservati. Courtesy Archivio Ugo Mulas, Milano – Galleria Lia Rumma, Milano / Napoli.
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As the official photographer of the Venice Biennale starting in 1954, Ugo Mulas documented both the Italian and New York art scenes of the 1960s. He contributed to notable Italian publications such as Settimo Giorno, Rivista Pirelli, Domus, and Vogue. While covering the Spoleto Festival in 1962, Mulas befriended sculptor Alexander Calder, who later became a major subject of his photography and writings.
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Ugo Mulas Alexander Calder Con Snow Flurry, Saché, 1963.
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Ugo Mulas is perhaps best known for his series La Photographie. Despite its simple title, the work is ambitious, exploring the nature and possibilities of the photographic medium. Through brief sequences of images introduced by first-person texts, Mulas documented the art of his time and created portraits of the artists he encountered. His portraits of famous artists like Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, and Lucio Fontana are particularly noteworthy for capturing the personality and essence of his subjects. Mulas's work led him to question his own practice, situated at the intersection of photography and art.
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Ugo Mulas, Lucio Fontana - L'Attesa, 1965.
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From 1968 onwards, Ugo Mulas devoted himself to his final project, Verifications, which questions photography and its practices. Through brief sequences of images introduced by text, Mulas analyzed the art of his time and created portraits of artists with whom he associated, capturing an intimate relationship with time. For Mulas, all moments are fleeting yet worthy; the least significant moment can, in fact, be the most exceptional. Besides its documentary value, this body of work has a strong autobiographical tone. Verifications serves as the final seminal chapter that forever establishes the profound impact and enduring significance of his photographic oeuvre.
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Ugo Mulas, Fausto Melotti 'Sette savi', 1970. Photo Ugo Mulas © Ugo Mulas Heirs.
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Although Ugo Mulas's photography is primarily black and white, it is far from plain and boring; instead, it vividly conveys moments. Through his artist portraits, Mulas establishes an intimate connection between the viewer, the artist, and the artwork. Beyond photography, Mulas explores a range of artistic disciplines, including theatre, poetry, and visual arts. This breadth makes him more than just a photographer; he is an observer of life.
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References: Ugo Mulas - Artnet | Ugo Mulas - Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson | Ugo Mulas - Lia Rumma | UGO MULAS New York: The New Art Scene | Venice opens new 'home' for photography with Ugo Mulas show

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(Ugo Mulas: Capturing Moments Through Photography - dans le gris)

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