Originally from Italy, I relocated to the United States in the mid-nineties. Over the subsequent two decades, my career as a commercial photographer led me to travel worldwide, undertaking projects in fashion, editorial, sports, and various other assignments that came my way.
Although all these experiences have contributed equally to my professional growth, notable episodes during this period include the privilege of photographing several editions of the Elton John's Academy Awards Watching Party and the SAG Awards, in Los Angeles; and the 2003 Women's Soccer World Cup held in the United States.
Since 2008, I have been consistently collaborating with Ballets with a Twist, a dance company based in New York City, with the role of photographing shows and events, and also serving as their graphic designer.
In 2011, I co-founded Cantiere Nuovo, a cultural association in Marina di Pisa, Italy, (still active today) where I began exploring the world of contemporary art.
In 2013, I directed my focus towards documenting the streets and bars of New York City, subsequently delving into the underground music scene. This undertaking culminated in the creation of my initial three portfolios, printed in 2016 on newsprint paper, and titled “MANI.”
In collaboration with event organizer Hayley Griffin of New York Groove and later receiving support from leading artisanal mezcal producer Ilegal Mezcal, the project evolved, and what started as portfolios became a recurrent publication “tribute to the rock and roll lifestyle of New York City,” spotlighting individual venues where rock and punk music thrives daily.
In the following years, working on “the papers” gave me the opportunity to get closer to the music community of New York City, and in 2020, I seized the opportunity to exhibit this project at 72 Gallery in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, an intimate space, predominantly dedicated to “legends” of rock photography.
From 2022 three more personal photo exhibits unfolded: one in Lisbon (Portugal,) and two in Greenpoint, NYC; all three, featuring rock bands in the gallery space, kicking-off the opening night with a memorable concert, immersing the viewers in the very world of the work exhibited.
Finally, in November 2023 another of my small “dreams” came through: an open-air exhibition, wheat-pasted in five different locations of the city.
A total of twenty-five photos, printed in a commanding format of 5x3 feet for each photo.
In 2023, I also initiated the production of two new formats of fanzine: MINI MANI and MANI SQUARED.
These endeavors mark my ongoing commitment to exploring and expressing diverse facets of the visual arts, depicting the world of NYC’s counter-culture movements.
Links:
Ballets with a Twist
Cantiere Nuovo
© 2023 Nico Malvaldi • nico@nicomalvaldi.com • +1.310.210.7761 • +39.349.813.9818