The artist Nicolas Polli spent a week in November as Artist in Residence at Parkhotel Mondschein. A swiss native, Polli draws his inspiration from re-examining everyday objects, inviting a fresh perspective on the items that surround us. His photography often features still lifes of fruits and vegetables, some of which come from his own farm.

During his stay at Parkhotel Mondschein, Polli found inspiration in Bolzano’s vibrant markets, where he sourced much of the produce for his installations. He was equally fascinated by the sprawling vineyards and apple orchards, which underscore the region's role as a food producer.

Polli’s journey into photography began with his passion for snowboarding. Aspiring to turn his hobby into a profession, he studied Art Direction in Ticino, Switzerland, specializing in photography and graphic design. Over time, his interest led him into the niche of photographic exploration that combines nature, products, and everyday objects.

Through his art, Polli aims to challenge the way we view mundane items. By linking them to the unexpected, he opens up new perspectives and highlights the functional aspects of design. His work transforms objects, giving them a different form, context, or reference, often hinting at absurdity and drawing attention to things we rarely notice consciously.

Polli’s art also reflects on our consumer society. By photographing fruits and vegetables that deviate from conventional forms, he unavoidably points to the norms and standards we’ve grown accustomed to. What doesn’t fit these standards is discarded. Through his depictions of unconventional shapes, he sheds light on this issue and encourages us to question the beauty ideals imposed on our food.

From his inspirations at Parkhotel Mondschein and in Bolzano, he created a series of photographs collected in his book “Where Moonlight Shadows Palms and Trees, You Will Dream of Apples and Grapes.” The book is available for purchase in the hotel shop.