Islamorada, FL – April 20, 2016 – The Moorings Village & Spa, long-regarded as a coveted fashion and editorial location in addition to a top travel destination, has officially launched a new program called Moorings Photography. An outcropping of more than two decades of stunning images captured at this Florida Keys beachfront property and as part of the Third Thursday ArtWalks of the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Moorings Photography will now feature a rotating gallery of images by well-known photographers. Moorings Photography seeks to make photographs shot at and around the property available to all. “The goal of the Moorings Photography program is to showcase the natural beauty of the property and its surroundings and bring it to the public,” said David Bocognano, director of operations of Morada Bay, who is heading up the project. “Following each show, the pieces will be placed in The Moorings’ 18 houses and villas for guests’ enjoyment, with the option to take the work home.” Shows will rotate every three to four months but will always focus on the ocean and the natural environment that has made The Moorings so beloved by both travelers and photographers.

The inaugural show will feature the work of Munich-based fashion and journalism photographer, Esad Cicic. Cicic’s series, “Ocean”, consists of thirteen works taken over a span of time, all looking at the Atlantic Ocean from The Moorings’ beach. Cicic, who grew to love the property after shooting there for more than 20 years, chose the Islamorada beach as the backdrop for his series, which seeks to explore themes of time and space. Cicic returned over time to the same spot to photograph the ocean from a seafarer’s perspective; the duality of sea and sky separated by the horizon. Each image is separated from the others by time, and images range from a moonlit foggy evening to a sun drenched, choppy sea surface to a brewing storm.

World Red Eye seized the opportunity to catch up with Cicic, who gave us a closer look into what inspired his “Ocean” series, as well as what we can expect from him in the future.

WRE: Tell us about your latest series “Ocean”?

EC: The “Ocean” series is an experiment in which I tried to capture all the different moods and colors that are so special in the Keys. I have been working on this project for a number of years, so you will find summer storms, dead and calm days, full moon with sunrises, low tides, and more. Through a “wiping“ technique, where the camera is moving during the exposure, I try to abstract the unnecessary and concentrate on the colors and movement of the ocean.

The “Ocean” series is an experiment in which I tried to capture all the different moods and colors that are so special in the Keys.

Esad Cicic

WRE: What was the inspiration behind Oceans?

EC: Just look at the beautiful ocean, how could you not be inspired?

WRE: Tell us about your relationship with The Moorings Village & Spa?

EC: Islamorada and The Moorings are my second home if not the first! The owner, Hubert Baudoin, has been a best friend of mine for over 25 years.

WRE: How did it feel being chosen as the first artist to kick off Moorings Photography?

EC: I am very honored and exited about this project. Everyone at The Moorings has been extremely helpful. David Bocognano, director of operations of Morada Bay, and his team have been very professional in curating the exhibition and have taken a lot of the preparation work off my shoulders.

WRE: How long have you been practicing photography? What about it draws you in?

EC: I have been working as a photographer ever since I finished the Munich Photography Academy; mainly working in fashion. Fashion photography is how I came to The Moorings for the first time, when I was on assignment to shoot there.

WRE: Tell us about what it’s like having your work published in magazines like Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Stern and more?

EC: It is always fantastic working with great editors, stylists, and of course the beautiful women; especially all of that in exotic places. These assignments made me see the world and I have no complaints.

WRE: Where do you typically draw inspiration from when creating a new series?

EC: I love to watch movies and go to galleries and in every city I visit, but it is hard to pinpoint where the spark is lit.

WRE: What is the most challenging and rewarding thing about being a photographer?

EC: The most rewarding thing about photography is that I get a platform to express my feelings and my way of seeing things.

WRE: Is there anything you have yet to photograph but would like to in the future?

EC: I am currently working on another series with water in movement. I throw water in the air and shoot it with a camera, or I put ink in water with a syringe and suddenly there is whole new world in front of your eyes. I would love to do another series photographing the wind.

WRE: What are you hoping people take away from your photography?

EC: I am sure a lot of people that come and visit the keys, as well as those who live here have seen or experienced these different moods on the ocean while fishing or relaxing. I hope that is something we can share with these photographs.