Part of Guido Mocafico’s trilogy Venenum, alongside Aranea and Medusa, Mocafico’s Serpens series consists of images of a vast collection of snakes, including vipers and cobras. On photographing the snakes, Mocafico said “I have always been terrified by these reptiles, but I also find them terribly fascinating. I felt a sort of repulsion-attraction for these living creatures.”
Despite igniting a sense of fear for many, Mocafico depicts these serpents up close, elevating them to protagonist stature. As a master of technique, Mocafico’s use of lighting and arrangement work together with the subject matter to transform these serpents into objects of great beauty. “If I had to define beauty, I’d say it has to contain an element of darkness or danger.” Guido Mocafico.