• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Inspiration
  • History
  • Photographers
  • Tips
  • Gear
  • Resources
  • Locations

The Photo Argus

Photography Blog

Surreal Poetry: Fine Art Photography by Erika Zolli

March 9, 2016 · Stephanie Kay-Kok

Erika Zolli, also known as Eribluff, is a fine art photographer based in Milan, Italy. Her work explores the dreamlike dimension of the mind through surreal worlds she’s created. Although these worlds are often strange, they have a lightness and a sense of magic, too.

Erika’s first became interested in photography while studying Philosophy and Cognitive Science in university. “I started to apply the study of the human being and its reality, whether conscious or unconscious, to the arts,” she says. What intrigued her about photography was its ability to create fictional realities. Through this fiction, she could reveal the invisible side of humans and their thoughts.

Though she admires many photographers, she names Sebastião Salgado and Natalie Dybisz (A.K.A. Miss Aniela) as two of her inspirations. Miss Aniela’s surreal images gave Erika direction with her own work, while Salgado’s work appeals to her aesthetics. “I really appreciate Sebastião Salgado for his vision of Beauty, ” she says.

We’ve put together a sample of Erika’s work taken from three of her most recent projects. To see more of her photography, you can visit her website, Facebook, Instagram, or 500px.

Levitation Project

In “Levitation Project,” Erika portrays her home city, Milan, in a surreal and fantastic way. “This whole work is based on my will to show everyday life – the everyday life of the city I live in, Milan – in poetic and enchanting situations,” she says. “The common thread in these shots is Levitation – meaning lightness, ability to look at the world with eyes that are unaware of gravity and its rules.”

In her photos, you can see some of Milan’s famous sights: Mercanti Square, Sforza Castle, the park in Porta Venezia, Dal Verme Theater, the Modern Art Gallery and Sant’Ambrogio Basilica. Her favorite photo from the series was taken at the Theatre Dal Verme, “where you can breathe pure art.” She was given the opportunity to move around the space in complete freedom and loved it. “It was an experience that will stay with me for a long time.”

Erika Zolli Levitation project

Erika Zolli Levitation project

Erika Zolli Levitation project

Erika Zolli Levitation project

Erika Zolli Levitation project

Erika Zolli Levitation project

Into the Mystic

In “Into The Mystic,” Erika presents 14 images, each representing  a single mind at the climax of self-discovery. Every photo has an individual to show the importance of one’s relationship with one’s self. She views this self-knowledge as the first step to forming a relationship with the outside. She’s especially fond of the photo with the chessboard, taken in one of her favorite places: the garden of the Library of Catalunya in Barcelona.

Erika Zolli Into the Mystic

Erika Zolli Into the Mystic

Erika Zolli Into the Mystic

Erika Zolli Into the Mystic

Erika Zolli Into the Mystic

Erika Zolli Into the Mystic

Surreal Arabesque

In “Surreal Arabesque,” Erika contrasts the perfection of “Ideal Beauty” with “the extravagance of the imagination”–or, more generally, with all fresh views that fall outside the ordinary. To create this contrast, she takes normal images and adds surreal elements. For example, she puts a cloud into a self-portrait, or shows a woman lying in a can of tuna. The absurdity of the compositions makes “normal” scenes seem bizarre and confusing, turning the logical into the illogical.

She particularly enjoyed photographing the scene with the laundry machines. She took it at night with a friend, who hadn’t known the details of the photo beforehand. “I will never forget his expression when he saw me go into the washing machine,” she says.

Erika Zolli Surreal Arabesque

Erika Zolli Surreal Arabesque

Erika Zolli Surreal Arabesque

Erika Zolli Surreal Arabesque

Erika Zolli Surreal Arabesque

Erika Zolli Surreal Arabesque

Filed Under: Photographers

Want to be Featured in This Article?

Submit your best photos here to be considered for inclusion in this article. Click Here to Get Started.

Freebies Our Partners

Free Off Camera Flash Tutorial

In this start-to-finish tutorial, Pye Jirsa shows you how to enhance existing light to simulate sunlight with off-camera flashes.

Free Engagement Photography Tutorial

Learn 10 simple things you can do to make each and every single one of your engagement photos extraordinary!

You may also like

  • Amazing Fine Art Photography by Diane Varner
  • Blind Photographer Raises Autism Awareness With Photos
  • Faceless Portraits: Intriguing Fine Art Photos by…
  • Urban Black & White Photography by Cyrille Druart
  • City Silhouettes: Multiple Exposure Portraits by…

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Get the TPA Newsletter

Popular Content

  • 53 Unique Gifts for Photographers
  • 22 of the Most Famous Mountains in the World to Photograph
  • 30 Fantastic Examples of Fine Art Photography
  • 40 Beautiful Examples of Abstract Photography
  • 40 Great Photographer Portfolio Websites for Inspiration
  • 60 Inspiring Examples of Black and White Photography
  • 100+ Free Photoshop Actions and Presets
  • 99 Inspirational Photography Quotes
  • 40 Minimalist Photography Examples For Your Inspiration
  • 55 Beautiful Flower Pictures for Your Inspiration
  • 35 Superb Examples of Still Life Photography
  • 20 Majestic Close-Up Pictures of Snowflakes
  • 40 Masterful Examples of Photo Manipulation
  • 20 Wonderful Examples of Winter Photography
  • 50 Beautiful Pictures of Roses
  • 32 Weird and Wonderful Fungi Pictures
  • 60 Beautiful Winter Pictures
  • 40 Beautiful Examples of Bokeh Photography
  • 40 Outstanding Examples of Conceptual Photography
  • 45 Great Camera Bags for Every Budget

Recommended Workshop

Creative Photography 101 - $49 $79
creative photography 1010

Learn Creativity, Ditch the Expensive Gear!

Support TPA

Support The Photo Argus by Shopping at our Affiliate Partners Below.

© Copyright 2020 The Photo Argus · Contact · About · Privacy Policy

Cookies help us deliver our services and content. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.OK