Riccardo Magherini, Xposure 2026

Looking Back at Xposure 2026

Firenze, 4th April 2026

The Shape of Memories travels to Sharjah: A Milestone at Xposure 2026

Before leaving for Sharjah, I wrote that Xposure arrived in a “moment of accumulation” for my work. Seeing that accumulation, 15 years of reconstructed memories, finally take physical shape was an experience I am still processing.
The 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival exceeded every expectation. Walking through my solo exhibition and seeing the 30 large-scale works was impactful and intense.

The large format allowed the viewers to step inside the layers, navigating the spaces between the memories of Firenze, Bangkok, Hanoi, Circus, and Hong Kong. The exhibition became a visual timeline of my evolving gaze. It was fascinating to see visitors move from the architectural vertigo of the Hong Kong series, where the city dominates the frame, to the intimate, chaotic humanity of Bangkok, where the individual takes the center stage. The audience’s involvement was immersive and being there to share that experience with them was the real deal.

In addition to the exhibition, taking the stage to share the philosophy behind “The Shape of Memories” with such an engaged, international audience was a highlight of the week. The talk, a 40-minute journey through perception, place, and image, allowed me to open up about the vulnerability and the discipline required in long-term projects. We discussed how photography can be used not just to freeze time, but to build it slowly; how to use the camera to construct reality rather than document it. The feedback, the questions, and the warmth I received from the audience after the talk were incredibly rewarding.

But beyond the walls of the exhibition and the stage, the true core of this journey was the human connection. Xposure is a rare ecosystem. Exchanging ideas, methodologies, and life stories with visionary photographers, editors, and filmmakers from across the globe has been an invaluable source of inspiration.

My deepest gratitude goes to Simon Newton and the entire Xposure staff for executing a flawless, world-class event, and to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, whose steadfast commitment to the arts makes this global dialogue possible.