Published in MIND, Marie Claire Italia
Comprising two photographic projects, Morpheus and Nessun Dorma, Bedtime Stories delves into the complex interplay between sleep and sleeplessness in the 21st century, each from a distinct yet complementary perspective.
Morpheus focuses on the emerging phenomenon of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) artists, individuals whose online content aims to relax viewers through sounds and visuals that trigger soothing, sensory experiences. This project captures the intimacy of these moments, presenting ASMR as a modern tool for inducing sleep in an increasingly overstimulated and digitally connected world. The images explore how these virtual encounters offer solace in the digital age, acting as contemporary lullabies for those seeking rest in a chaotic, technology-driven society.
Nessun Dorma, on the other hand, shifts the focus to the landscapes of sleeplessness, depicting the dreamlike and often desolate environments that reflect the tension between longing for rest and the reality of insomnia. Set against urban nightscapes and surreal dream imagery, the project echoes the age-old struggle to find peace in a world that never sleeps. The title, meaning "None Shall Sleep," evokes a sense of collective unrest, where modern life, with its relentless pace and artificial illumination, pushes people further away from the natural rhythms of sleep.
Together, these projects offer a meditation on how sleep and sleeplessness are shaped by the unique pressures and experiences of the 21st century: from the comforting rituals found in ASMR to the disorienting effects of sleepless nights in a digitally lit world.