English
The Forte Phenomenon:
Cycling Culture on the Tuscan Shore
Serie of 9 photographs by Antón Prokopev
On Forte dei Marmi's seafront promenade, Anton's lens captures the beating heart of Versilia's cycling culture. A renowned photographer and art director, Anton brings a wealth of experience from his work with major international brands to this personal project. His keen eye for detail and composition, honed through years in the demanding world of commercial photography, lends a unique sophistication to these seemingly everyday scenes.
Spending countless mornings with his camera on a tripod, Anton's dedication has yielded a series of photographs that pulse with coastal vitality. His background in high-end brand imagery is evident in the crisp clarity and thoughtful framing of each shot, elevating the humble bicycle and its riders to subjects worthy of artistic contemplation.
From dawn's first light, a parade of life on two wheels unfolds. Elegant signoras on vintage cruisers, lycra-clad enthusiasts in aerodynamic blurs, and children wobbling on training wheels — all pass before Anton's watchful eye. Each frame tells a story, a snapshot of Versilia's enduring love affair with cycling.
In Forte dei Marmi, bicycles are more than transportation; they're an extension of identity. Residents often boast a small fleet: city bikes for errands, sleek road machines for weekend adventures, even professional-grade steeds for the competitively inclined.
Anton's images capture the interplay of light and movement unique to this slice of coastline. The soft morning haze gives way to strengthening sun, casting long shadows across the promenade. In the background, the Tyrrhenian Sea shimmers, a constant reminder of Versilia's timeless allure.
The spirit of Italian cycling permeates every frame. While grand tours may not pass directly through, their influence is unmistakable in the determined expressions and pristine machines that wouldn't look out of place in a professional peloton.
These photographs evoke the full sensory experience: brisk sea air, warm sun on your back, the rhythm of turning pedals. They're an invitation to savor the simple pleasure of human-powered motion.
For cycling enthusiasts, these images stir that ineffable urge to ride. For others, they offer a window into a world where the bicycle is a passport to freedom, health, and joy.
In capturing this daily ritual, Anton has distilled the essence of Versilia. His artistic vision, refined through years of professional practice, transforms the everyday into the extraordinary. These photographs remind us that profound experiences often hide in life's quotidian moments, celebrating the bicycle as a conduit for community, personal expression, and the pure pleasure of movement.
A series of 9 photographs, 9 copies each.
Framed Size 50x70 cm.
Aluminium frame.
Printed in Ferrara, Italy.
2024
