Gianluca Lanciai
(Italy)Gianluca Lanciai is an Italian documentary visual artist whose work explores themes of identity and human resilience. In 2020, he joined the Visual Storytelling Masterclass at Camera Torino in collaboration with the International Center of Photography. He was later awarded the Director’s Fellowship to attend the One-Year Certificate Program in Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism in New York, where he focused on a story about marginalized communities in East New York, published by Bloomberg. His recent focus has been on empowering marginalized communities by teaching visual storytelling techniques.
ConnectTimeland
Quoting D.H. Lawrence “Sardinia is a place of the soul, a place where time stands still”. Timeland is a photographic project exploring the theme of longevity, focusing on the population of Sardinia, Italy, one of the five Blue Zones worldwide, known for their high concentration of people over 100 years old. Inspired by my nearly centenarian grandmother’s question, “How come I have lived so long?”, the project merges personal curiosity with frequent trips to Sardinia to investigate the deep connection between lifespan and the island. This visual narrative uncovers the tangible and intangible connections between these long-lived individuals and the environment that shaped their remarkable vitality, highlighting the interplay of geography, culture, and lifestyle.
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From the Judge
FUJIFILM
“Gianluca Lanciai’s project will explore the life of the residents in Sardinia, Italy as well as their environment through the theme of longevity. His careful and respectful visual storytelling will prove the importance of the finite resources in this world.”
Gallery
Supramonte, Orgosolo. A Sardinian legend tells that, in ancient times, elders were thrown from the cliffs at the age of 70, deemed “no longer useful to society.” Until one son, moved by his father’s wisdom, chose to bring him back home, honoring the value of aging and ending this tradition. ©Gianluca Lanciai
A young man bathes in the thermal waters flowing into the river at Fordongianus, once used by shepherds to heal their bodies from illness and the fatigue of hard labor. Considered by many to be miraculous, these waters are still used almost daily by some locals. ©Gianluca Lanciai
Antonio, now retired, worked for many years as a shepherd in Orgolso, surrounded by these rocks. ©Gianluca Lanciai
Domus de Janas, Oliena. Carved into the rock over five millennia ago, the Domus de Janas are ancient pre-Nuragic tombs. Known as the “houses of the fairies,” they reflect prehistoric beliefs in an afterlife, carved to resemble the homes of the living. ©Gianluca Lanciai
In Dorgali, the Fire of St. Anthony Abbot is more than a religious celebration; it is a community ritual that preserves ancient knowledge and strengthens social ties. A symbol of renewal for the land, a shared ritual of purification and rebirth. In a land of centenarians, tradition and community cohesion are key elements of longevity. ©Gianluca Lanciai
Sardinia is home to many secular and millenial trees, some well known and frequently visited. But this chestnut tree, over 400 years old and hidden deep in the forest near the town of Tonara, remains almost unknown. ©Gianluca Lanciai
Marta and Alessia wear their traditional Desulo costumes, handmade by their grandmother. Considered one of the most unique in Sardinia, the Desulo costume stands out for its extremely fine stitching, and is one of the few traditional outfits that was still worn daily by some local women until just a few years ago. Although they have moved to Cagliari for their studies, Marta and Alessia continue to hold their roles as prioresse, actively preserving and carrying forward the traditions of Desulo. ©Gianluca Lanciai
Giuseppa’s hands, 102 years old. ©Gianluca Lanciai
Francesca, 101, from Orgosolo, has aged remarkably well, with no significant health issues. She lives with her sister, who is nearly ten years younger and has begun to show signs of dementia. ©Gianluca Lanciai
