Lorenza Bassino

shared silence

on vulnerability and echoes of connections
2021 – 2024

Guided by the question, “What happens when you make yourself vulnerable to another person?” I found myself searching for connection and belonging after moving to a new country. Photography became my way of navigating this transition—a means to reach out, to feel seen, and to build a sense of closeness with the skatergirl circle that gradually formed around me.
What began as an intimate approach to portraiture soon turned into something deeper. As trust grew, so did the urge to create a shared space of openness—not just behind the camera, but in front of it too. Stepping into the frame and handing over control of the shutter, I allowed myself to be seen in the rawest way. It was an unsettling yet profound moment: to let go, to be looked at, to exist in someone else’s gaze. But this act was never just about me; it became a conversation, a silent exchange of trust and vulnerability.
Together, we navigated the fragile balance of exposure—deciding how much to reveal, when to hold back, and when to lean into the moment. There was playfulness in it, but also a quiet bravery in surrendering to the presence of another. Through these exchanges, the camera became more than a tool for documentation; it became a bridge, a space where being seen was no longer an individual experience but a shared act.
“Shared Silence” is a reflection of that journey—of connection built in stillness, of images that hold the weight of unspoken understanding. These photographs are not just portraits; they are traces of presence, moments where fragility became strength, and where the desire to see and be seen turned into something lasting.

Exhibitions

• June – July 2024 Graduation Show – Royal Academy of Art, KABK (Den Haag, NL)