A Study on Waitressing by Eleonora Agostini
The artist will sign her book on the 14/03 with Federico Clavarino
A Study on Waitressing by Eleonora Agostini examines the intersections between labour and personal life, vulnerability and strength, the public and private, observer and observed, and the relationship between a mother and daughter. Inspired by Erving Goffman’s work on the theatricality of everyday life, the project uses waitressing as a lens to explore societal expectations, gender dynamics, and the roles we perform in daily interactions.
At the heart of the work is Agostini’s mother, whose gestures and movements as a waitress become a focal point for investigating identity and performativity. The restaurant serves as a stage where the body mediates between observer and observed, making visible the tensions between public and private personas. Agostini delves into this performative space, using photography, video, archival material, and sculpture to question what lies behind the roles we inhabit.
The project challenges the fictionalized image of the “waitressing woman” by examining three key dimensions of performance: the stage, the backstage, and the performative. Through these perspectives, Agostini reflects on the visible and hidden aspects of identity, the power of self-representation, and the social codes embedded in the gestures and materials of the service industry.
Rooted in personal memories and lived experience, Agostini’s work often starts from moments of reenactment, revisiting and re-imagining the past to observe and reconstruct personal history. This process reveals how identity is shaped by interactions and spaces, opening a dialogue about the rules and expectations that govern our behavior.
By incorporating ordinary objects and actions into her images, Agostini finds potential and nuance in the everyday. Her practice questions how the mundane can reflect broader cultural constructs, using familiar settings to highlight the delicate balance between individuality and societal roles.
A Study on Waitressing is a meditation on the layered meanings of labor, identity, and interaction. Through the figure of her mother, Agostini offers a poignant exploration of the visible and invisible forces shaping our lives, illuminating the subtle theatricality of the everyday.
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To complement A Study on Waitressing by Eleonora Agostini, consider the following related titles available at Tipi Bookshop:
Italia o Italia
By Federico Clavarino, this book delves into Italian identity through a series of photographs that examine cultural symbols and stereotypes. 
Le Bruissement entre les Murs
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Porcelain and Wool
By Kincső Bede, this book examines the intersection of personal history and material culture, reflecting on identity and memory. 
There is a Big River
By András Ladocsi, this photographic work captures the nuances of human experience and the passage of time through evocative imagery. 
Incompiuto
By Roberto Giangrande, this book documents unfinished architectural projects in Italy, offering a reflection on ambition and abandonment. 
Please note that availability may vary, and it’s advisable to check directly with Tipi Bookshop for the most accurate information.