TAKE A SEAT / TOMA ASIENTO Photography Exhibition, London 2025.
TAKE A SEAT / TOMA ASIENTO is my first solo exhibition, held in London from 14–19 October 2025 at The Gallery at The Playroom. What began as a simple observation of chairs I encountered in different European cities gradually evolved into an exploration of presence, absence and how urban spaces hold quiet traces of connection and time.
This page brings together the project in its entirety: the photographs exhibited, the accompanying texts, and moments from the show itself. It serves both as a reflection on the exhibition and as an extension of it: an open invitation to pause and look a little closer.
Exhibition text by Alejandro Sebastiani Verlezza
Translation to English by Enzo Sebastiani Verlezza
I picture Enzo Sebastiani Verlezza — wandering through his travels across Europe — capturing the images that now shape his first solo exhibition.
Me imagino a Enzo Sebastiani Verlezza —en sus diferentes viajes europeos— captando las imágenes que componen su primera exposición individual.
When artists are truly immersed in their craft, they’re often swept away by the thrill of a theme or an idea, and along that journey, they learn to follow the subtle clues that guide their way.
Los artistas, cuando están realmente implicados en su oficio, son tomados repentinamente por el entusiasmo ante un tema o una idea y en el proceso saben encontrar las pistas que los van guiando.
Here, the photographer chose chairs as his object of exploration, or perhaps it was the other way around. Either way, he presents them in a striking series that speaks of connection and belonging within urban settings.
Aquí el fotógrafo escogió como objeto de exploración a las sillas o tal vez ellas lo escogieron a él; en todo caso las presenta en una elocuente serie que sugiere el valor de los vínculos en los más diversos entornos urbanos.
These “objects” carry a quiet power to suggest many stories and atmospheres: sometimes they evoke warmth and hospitality; at other times, a touch of solitude.
Estos “objetos” tienen la capacidad de insinuar múltiples historias y atmósferas; evocan hospitalidad y en otras oportunidades cierta soledad.
There’s a gentle nod here to Marina Abramović’s iconic performance The Artist Is Present: the act of sitting close becomes a poetic gesture, almost a meditation.
Aquí aparece un guiño al famoso performance de Marina Abramovic “La artista está presente. La artista se sienta”: el hecho de estar cerca se vuelve un gesto poético, casi una meditación.
The curious wanderer begins to perceive a deeper meaning in the chairs found along his path: he notices their versatility, their own language. Beyond being everyday “pieces” of furniture, they acquire personalities of their own, revealing the dynamism and contrasts of modern cities.
El caminante curioso percibe un sentido profundo en las sillas encontradas en sus recorridos: empezó a notar que son versátiles, tienen su propio lenguaje; más allá de la "pieza" para el uso diario, adquieren su propia personalidad, revelan el dinamismo y los contrastes de las ciudades actuales.
Behind these images lies the photographer’s personal story and his desire to explore how human bonds take shape.
En el costado de estas imágenes subyace la historia personal del fotógrafo y su deseo de explorar el funcionamiento de los vínculos humanos.
The series itself seems to be in constant motion, like the streets that host these chairs. Sometimes they appear abandoned; other times, casually placed.
Esta serie pareciera estar en movimiento constante: como las mismas calles que reciben a las sillas, en ocasiones parecen abandonadas o simplemente respiran de modo casual en el espacio.
There’s also an invitation to look at these “objects” playfully - to imagine new uses for them, as the Surrealists once did during their famous wanderings through street markets.
Aquí se insinúa la posibilidad de mirar estos “objetos” de manera lúdica y darle nuevos usos, como hacían los surrealistas en sus famosos paseos por los mercados callejeros.
These chairs long to rediscover the dolce far niente: to sit and watch people go by, to savour the simple act of passing time with those we meet along the way — friends, family, neighbours — joined in the timeless act of being together, telling stories, and sharing the quiet pleasure of our humanity.
Estas sillas quieren recuperar el famoso dolce far niente: sentarse y ver cómo la gente camina, disfrutar el simple hecho de pasar el tiempo con las amistades que aparecen en el camino, la familia y los vecinos, todos en el gesto común de estar juntos, contando historias, constatando el sabor común de nuestra humanidad.
Enzo Sebastiani (1989) is a Venezuelan photographer and artist.
Raised in Caracas in a family of Italian descent, he began exploring photography and video from an early age. At fifteen, he studied photography at the Nelson Garrido Organization and later pursued Library Science at the Central University of Venezuela.
A decade ago, he moved to London, where his work has evolved around the observation of urban spaces and the quiet narratives that emerge within them. His practice spans street photography, live music events, lifestyle, and interior work, often guided by a fascination with the rhythm and character of contemporary cities.
Online, his ongoing project WHEN I CLICK serves as a breathing portfolio and space for creative expression. It brings together a blog, personal photographic series, and soon, a creative studio dedicated to visual storytelling and direction.
Sebastiani has exhibited in Venezuela and the United Kingdom, including the Jesús Soto Museum of Modern Art, CELARG Foundation, Central University of Venezuela, Valencia Museum, Chacao Cultural Centre, Sala Mendoza Gallery, British Council Venezuela, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography, The Holy Art Gallery, Luminoir Art Gallery, Espacio Gallery, MONAD, Cluster Photography and The Gallery At The Playground.
His work has appeared in F-Stop Magazine, BULBO, Docu Magazine, Iconoclast Magazine, Artsin Square, Artit, and Playbook, and has received Honourable Mentions in the Top Photo Awards, reFocus Awards, and The Times
