SIMONE ARRIGONI
Underwater Photography Festival Ambassador - Italy
- Multiple Freediving World Record holder
- FIOF Italian Photography Ambassador in China 2017
- Awards-Winning Photographer
Biography
Simone Arrigoni (Rome, 1973) is a classical pianist, Freediving world champion (21 World Records) and an awards-winning photographer with more than 100 Awards in the most prestigious International Photo Contests, publications and worldwide exhibitions (China, Crimea, Greece, Italy, Japan, Singapore, UK, USA).
Fascinated by the beauty of Nature and the opportunity to immortalize it in his shots, Arrigoni began to create two photographic projects - "INVEARTH" and "STARt" - in which he interprets several elements of the earth, the underwater world and the starry sky with an absolutely original artistic key, playing with the black & white dichotomy or painting coloured astrophotographies. In his series he turns natural subjects into artistic images, shaping a point of convergence between science and creativity, so that the intrinsic beauty of reality becomes itself Art.
The “INVEARTH” project’s series, devoted to our planet, have been featured in prestigious exhibitions worldwide, and earned him the title of Italian Photography Ambassador in China. “STARt. Look beyond” was exhibited in Singapore as 1st Prize winner in the NTU International Photography Awards 2017 competition “Art, Science and the Image” organized by Nanyang Technological University and National Geographic.
Arrigoni has a deep artistic sensibility, as he grew up studying Piano as a young promise of classical concertism at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome. Soon after earning a Piano Diploma with highest honours, two sudden events changed his life: within few months, a car accident forced him to interrupt his brilliant career as a pianist and his 17 years-old cousin Stefano tragically lost his life at sea. One of Stefano's dreams was to establish a freediving record, thus Arrigoni promised to set it in his memory and started agonistic training. He has been keeping this important promise since 2003, setting 21 Freediving World Records in the sea, lake, under the ice and with dolphin: a long series of performances that has gained to him an international mediatic visibility.
He is engaged in many voluntary activities for disabled and needy people (ActionAid Ambassador), marine protection (Honorary Member of the Center for Cetacean Studies), safety at sea education, and scientific research (involved in Sapienza University of Rome biology research projects focused on comparative physiology of humans and dolphins).
Arrigoni has always aimed at conveying important messages and emotions through his underwater activities, as urged to reveal his artistic sensibility with every possible means of communication. And in Photography he could not but find an elective way to express himself and explore the world through the filter of creativity.
Freediving World Records
21. Dolphin's Breath with monofin in sea, 1 km with 74 single breaths (total time 21'30'' with 1'14'' of breathing), Costa Dorata, Sardegna, Italy, July 9, 2018.
20. Dolphin's Breath with monofin in sea, 1.1 km with 102 single breaths (total time 24'30'' with 1'42'' of breathing), Giochi del Mare / Sea Games, Nettuno, Italy, June 15, 2017.
19. Dolphin's Breath with monofin in sea, 500 mt with 30 single breaths (total time 10' with 30'' of breathing), Diakofti, Kythira, Greece, September 15, 2016.
18. Dolphin's Breath with monofin in sea, 500 mt with 32 single breaths (total time 9' 10" with 32'' of breathing), Diakofti, Kythira, Greece, September 5, 2016.
17. Dolphin's Breath with monofin in sea, 500 mt with 35 single breaths (total time 9' with 35'' of breathing), Limnionas, Kythira, Greece, August 12, 2016.
16. Dolphin's Breath with monofin in sea, 1 km with 95 single breaths (total time 23'30'' with 1'35'' of breathing), Giochi del Mare / Sea Games, Santa Marinella, Italy, June 8, 2016.
15. Freedive pushed by one dolphin, 7 underwater loops, Zoomarine, Torvaianica, Italy, May 28, 2015.
14. Freedive pushed by two dolphins, 15 underwater loops, Zoomarine, Torvaianica, Italy, May 22, 2014.
13. Dynamic freedive* with DPV (Flyboard) in sea, 500 mt, Tropea, Italy, September 30, 2013.
12. Freedive pushed by two dolphins, 14 underwater loops, Zoomarine, Torvaianica, Italy, May 23, 2013.
11. Freedive pushed by two dolphins, 13 underwater loops, Zoomarine, Torvaianica, Italy, May 19, 2011.
10. Freedive pushed by two dolphins, 12 underwater loops, Zoomarine, Torvaianica, Italy, May 27, 2010.
9. Horizontal Free Immersion in sea, 101 mt, Giochi del Mare / Sea Games, Formia, Italy, June 17, 2009.
8. Freedive pushed by two dolphins, distance of 9 Zoomarine's swimming pools lenght (estimated of about 450 mt), Zoomarine, Torvaianica, Italy, May 17, 2009.
7. Dynamic freedive with DPV (Dive Propulsion Vehicle) in lake, 381 mt, Bracciano, Italy, June 2, 2008.
6. Dynamic freedive with DPV (Dive Propulsion Vehicle) in sea, 231 mt, Giochi del Mare / Sea Games, Formia, Italy, June 25, 2007.
5. Dynamic freedive without fins under ice, 41 mt, at the 21st Stage of Diving Under Ice A.N.I.S, Lavarone, Italy, February 4, 2006.
4. Dynamic freedive without fins in lake, 70 mt, Bracciano, Italy, June 7, 2005.
3. Dynamic freedive without fins in sea, 83 mt, Giochi del Mare / Sea Games, Balestrate, Italy, June 17, 2004.
2. Dynamic freedive without fins under ice, 30 mt, at the 19th Stage of Diving Under Ice A.N.I.S., Lavarone, Italy, January 31, 2004.
1. Dynamic freedive without fins in sea, 60 mt, Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, November 9, 2003.
Awards
● Gold Award in TIFA Tokio International Foto Awards 2018, category "Nature-Underwater"
● 1st Prize in NTU International Photography Awards 2017 by Singapore's Nanyang Technological University & National Geographic
● Gold Award in TIFA Tokio International Foto Awards 2017, category "Architecture-Interiors"
● Gold Medal in the PX3 PRIX DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE PARIS 2017, category "Architecture"
● 1st Prize Best in Show in the Fusion Art's International Contest Skies Art Exhibition, Palm Springs (California) 2017
● 1st Prize in the New York International Photography and Digital Art Contest 2017
● 1st Prize in the FIIPA Fiof Italy International Photography Awards 2016, category "Architecture"
● Winner of Monochrome International Photography Contest, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, May 2019
● Winner of Winter International Photography Contest, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, December 2018
● Winner of Travelers International Photography Contest, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, August 2018
● Winner of Cityscape International Photography Contest, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, February 2018
● Winner of Monochrome International Photography Contest, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, January 2018
● Winner of "IMAGO" International Art Exhibition Contest: Angelica Library (Rome, Italy), November 18 - 25, 2017
● Winner of FIOF "Lumina 2017" Photo Contest
● Winner of Landscapes International Photography Contest, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, September 2017
● Winner of Travel International Photography Contest, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, August 2017
● Winner of Sky-Watcher Italia, "Photo of the Week", July 2017
● Winner of Sky-Watcher Italia, "Photo of the Week", March 2017
● Winner of Sky-Watcher Italia, "Photo of the Week", February 2017
● Winner of Sky-Watcher Italia, "Photo of the Week", January 2017
● European Astronomy Pictures Of The Day EAPOD, January 2017
● Best Photographer in the UIF "Angoli di Anghiari" Photo Contest 2016
● 2nd Prize in the International Photography Awards IPA 2018, category "Fine Art - Landsacape"
● 2nd Prize in the International Photography Awards IPA 2018, category "Night Photography"
● 2nd Prize Silver Medal in the PX3 PRIX DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE PARIS 2018, category "Nature - Sky"
● 2nd Prize Silver Award in the Moscow International Photography Awards MIFA 2018, category "Fine Art - Special Effects"
● 2nd Prize Silver Award in the Fiof Italy International Photography Awards FIIPA 2018, category "Nature"
● 2nd Prize Silver Award in TIFA Tokio International Foto Awards 2017, category "Architecture-Cityscapes"
● 2nd Prize in the PABA International Photo Competition, Washington, 2017
● 2nd Prize in the Fiof Italy International Photography Awards FIIPA 2017, category "Architecture"
● 2nd Prize in the International Photography Awards IPA 2015, category "Architecture, Interior"
● 2nd Prize in the "Angoli di Anghiari" Photo Contest 2015, category Black and White
● 3rd Prize Bronze Award in the Moscow International Photography Awards MIFA 2018, category "Science - Other"
● 3rd Prize Bronze Award in TIFA Tokio International Foto Awards 2017, category "Science"
● 3rd Prize in the Moscow International Photography Awards MIFA 2016, category "Architecture, Interior"
● 6 Bronze Awards in the EPSON International Pano Awards 2015, categories "Built environment" and "Nature / Landscapes"
● 3 Nominations in the Fine Art Photography Awards FAPA 2019
● Nomination in the International Color Awards 2019, category "Nature"
● Cover Photo Award of Foto Arte Black and White, January 27, 2018
● Best Photo of the Day in Foto Arte Black And White, January 23, 2019
● Best Photo of the Day in Foto Arte Black And White, Dicember 18, 2018
● Honorable Mention in the ND Awards 2018, category "Natures - Other"
● 2 Honorable Mentions in the International Photography Awards IPA 2018 (Los Angeles), categories "Architecture; Panoramic"
● The Best of the Week in Foto Arte Black And White, November 11, 2018
● Best Photo of the Day in Foto Arte Black And White, November 6, 2018
● The Best of the Week in Foto Arte, November 4, 2018
● Best Photo of the Day in Foto Arte, November 3, 2018
● Best Photo of the Day in Foto Arte, October 28, 2018
● Best of the Day in Foto Arte, October 27, 2018
● 2 Best of the Day in Foto Arte, October 24, 2018
● The Best of the Week Landscape in Foto Arte, September 23, 2018
● Best of the Day in Foto Arte, September 21, 2018
● Best of the Day in Foto Arte, September 11, 2018
● Cover Photo Award of Foto Arte, September 2018
● Top Selection on Nikon Club, June 2018
● Honorable Mention in the PX3 PRIX DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE PARIS 2018, category "Nature - Earth"
● Nominée in the Fine Art Photography Awards FAPA 2017, category "Nature"
● 2 Honorable Mentions in the International Photography Awards IPA HARMONY 2018 (Los Angeles), categories "Nature; People"
● 2 Merit Awards in the "1st Open International Art Competition" Art Room Gallery 2018
● Honorable Mention in the International Color Awards 2018, category "Architecture"
● Nomination in the International Color Awards 2018, category "Architecture"
● 7 A.f.Ex. in the PCA International Photo Contest, Arizona, February 2018
● 3 Honorable Mentions in TIFA Tokio International Foto Awards 2017, categories "Fine Art - Abstract, Special Effects", "People -Children"
● 3 Honorable Mentions in the International Photography of the Year IPOTY 2017, categories "Architecture" and "Fine Art"
● 2 Honorable Mentions in the International Photography Awards IPA 2017 (Los Angeles), categories "Special - Micro; People - Family"
● 2 Honorable Mentions in the Chromatic Awards 2017, categories "Abstract" and "Architecture"
● Honorable Mention in the ND Awards 2017, category "Natures - Other"
● Merit Award in the Golden Orchid Photography Awards, New York 2017, category "Fine Art"
● Recognition Award in the PABA Photo Awards, Washington 2017
● Honorable Mention in the Monovision Photography Awards, London 2017, category "Architecture"
● 2 Honorable Mentions in the Fiof Italy International Photography Awards FIIPA 2017, category "Nature"
● Honorable Mention in the International Photographer of the Year IPOTY 2017, category "Night Photography"
● 2 Nominee in the Fine Art Photography Awards FAPA 2016, categories "Seascape" and "Night Photography"
● 4 Honorable Mentions in the International Photography Awards 2016, categories "Architectur - Buildings, Interior, Industrial; Night Photography"
● 3 Honorable Mentions in the ND Awards 2016, categories "Architectures - Interior; Fine Art - Conceptual; Fine Art - Nude"
● 3 Honorable Mentions in the "Moscow International Photography Awards MIFA 2016, category "Architecture - Buildings,Inter ior, Industrial"
● Honorable Mention in the International Photography of the Year IPOTY 2016, category "Architecture - Interior"
● Honorable Mention in the International Photography Awards FIIPA 2016, category "Architecture"
● Nominee in the Fine Art Photography Awards FAPA 2016, category "Architecture"
● 3 Honorable Mentions in the International Photography Awards IPA 2015, categories "Architecture, Buildings" and "Architecture, Interior"
● Nomination in the Oasis Photo Contest 2013.
Exhibitions
● Greece: "Monochrome" Exhibition: Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, May 3 - 15, 2019
● Crimea: MIFA Photo Exhibition: Universal Scientific Library, Simferopol, December 12 - 26, 2018
● Greece: "Winter" Exhibition: Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), December 7 - 19, 2018
● Greece: "Travelers" Exhibition: Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), September 28 - October 11, 2018
● Russia: MIFA 2018 Exhibition: Photocenter, Moscows, September 19 - 22, 2018
● Italy: R-evolution Photo Festival, May - September 2018
● Italy: "Nothing but Art", Palazzo Velli, Roma, May 12 - 17, 2018
● Japan: ICA Space Galery, Tokyo, May 12 - 16, 2018
● UK: 5th Base Gallery, London, April 13 - 15, 2018
● Greece: "Cityscape" Exhibition: Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, March 16 - 29, 2018
● Italy: FIOF Annual Convention, Orvieto, March 9 - 25, 2018
● Greece: "Monochrome" Exhibition: Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, February 23 - March 8, 2018
● Singapore: SOTA School of the Arts, December 15, 2017 - January 14, 2018
● UK: 5th Base Gallery, London, November 21 - 22, 2017
● Italy: "IMAGO" Art Exhibition: Angelica Library, Rome, November 18 - 25, 2017
● China: International Art Photography Festival, Lishui, November 15 - 19, 2017
● USA: "Annual Best in Show" invited to the Group Exhibition: Stephen Baumb Gallery, Palm Springs, California, November 1 - 18, 2017
● Greece: "Landscapes" Exhibition: Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, October 20 - November 2, 2017
● Greece: "Travel" Exhibition: Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, September 22 - October 5, 2017
● USA: "Skies" Exhibition: Fusion Art Gallery, Palm Springs, California, September 1 - 30, 2017
● Italy: "Visioni urbane" Exhibition: Darkroom Gallery, Bologna, May 27 - June 7, 2017
● Italy: "UIF" Exhibition, Anghiari, Arezzo, July 9 - 30, 2016
● Italy: "Shooting Chicago" Benefit Solo Exhibition, Public Library of Santa Marinella, Rome, June 11 - 30, 2016
Publications
● Monochrome exhibition Catalogue, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), May 2018
● Cover of MIFA Photo Exhibition: Universal Scientific Library, Simferopol, December 12 - 26, 2018
● International Photography Awards IPA Catalogue, Los Angeles, 2018
● Winter exhibition Catalogue, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), December 2018
● Magazine Domiad Photo Network, 2018
● Travelers exhibition Catalogue, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), September 2018
● Winners Book of the Color Awards, 2018
● PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris Catalogue, Paris, 2018
● Cover of Skies Art Competition by Fusion Art, Palm Springs (California), May 2018
● Cityscape exhibition Catalogue, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), March 2018
● Monochrome exhibition Catalogue, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), February 2018
● Cover of NTU-IPA Paradox Contest, Singapore, December 2017
● PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris Catalogue, Paris, 2017
● Interview on Singapore News Tribe, December 2017
● Interview on MeteoWeb, December 2017
● NTU International Photography Awards exhibition Catalogue, SOTA School of the Arts, Singapore, December 2017
● FIOF Lumina 2017 Catalogue
● Official Video of Lishui Photography Festival, China, November 2017
● Landscapes exhibition Catalogue, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), October 2017
● Travel exhibition Catalogue, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens (GR), September 2017
● EAPOD - European Astronomy Picture Of the Day, 28 January 2017
● APOD - Astronomy Picture Of the Day NASA Archive, January 2017
● Interview "Focusing ourselves" - Image in Progress, October 2016
● Article in MeteoWeb, September 2016
● Fotografia Reflex, September 2016
● The Books that Made Europe exhibition Catalogue, Rome 2016
● Homepage of The Books that Made Europe exhibition Official Website (Italian Government's MOVIO project), 2016
● IPA International Photography Awards Catalogue, Los Angeles, September 2015
● Article on Fhshh.com, August 2014
● OASIS International Award of Wildlife and Nature Photography Catalogue, Italy, 2014
● Article on Il Venerdì di Repubblica, October 2013
● Reportage on IloveKythira.com, September 2013
● OASIS International Award of Wildlife and Nature Photography Catalogue, Italy, 2013
● Article on MeteoWeb, September 2013
● Reportage on ZMPhoto, September 2013
● OASIS International Award of Wildlife and Nature Photography Catalogue, Italy, 2012.
If you want to know more, you can find an “Artist Diary” by Simone in Image in Progress 8