Conversations at the map's edge
A study of place, people and the things that connect us.
An ongoing photographic exploration of life in remote places, and the people whose stories give them meaning. Moving slowly through different landscapes and cultures, the project considers how geography, history, tradition and everyday life shape the ways we understand one another.
WORLDWIDE 2019-2026
(IN DEVELOPMENT)
AN ONGOING DOCUMENTARY PROJECT
Photography, PHOTOJOURNALISM, EXHIBIT
A personal documentary series by
Pia Bacino
PAST CHAPTERS
Nepal
Iceland
Mexico
The Accursed Mountains
Aotearoa, New Zealand
British Columbia, Canada
FUTURE DESTINATIONS
PAST & PRESENT / SPONSORS, SPECIAL GRANTS & COLLABORATORS
Kodak
CineStill Film
Sony New Zealand
Air New Zealand
New Zealand Department of Conservation
Creative New Zealand
Himalayan Children Care & Environment Conservation
Blink Now Nepal
Shamrock School Nepal
Say Yes to Adventure Magazine
Stewart Island, NZ ('27)
The Cotswolds ('27)
El Camino, Spain ('27)
Croatia ('27)
Namibia ('27 TBC)
Mozambique ('28 TBC)
Greenland ('28 TBC)
Antartica (Goal)
FORMATS
Analog film photography 35mm, 120mm
Digital Photography
Videography
Super 8
Journalism
Illustration
Social Media Collaborations
A multi-destination journey
OVERVIEW
From the families running guesthouses deep in the Himalayas to a dogsledder in Iceland, and the people who open their doors or huts to travellers in remote corners of New Zealand, each encounter offers a glimpse into a different way of life. Through photography, conversation and the stories shared along the way, I'm interested in the people behind the landscapes, the traditions they carry, and the quiet connections that make unfamiliar places feel a little closer to home.
Iceland became the third chapter in this ongoing exploration, and perhaps the beginning of a much deeper love for the remote. There is something about the vastness of its landscapes, the long stretches of road with nowhere in particular to be, and the feeling of being wonderfully small in a world that asks very little of you. It was a place that drew me further into the quiet beauty of travelling slowly, following curiosity, and discovering what lies beyond the familiar. I left with a growing affection for wild places and a desire to keep seeking out the people and stories that call them home.
The fourth chapter took me into the mountain borderlands of Albania and Montenegro, where I spent seven days walking the Peaks of the Balkans trail. Moving between remote villages, rugged peaks and family-run guesthouses, I found myself drawn to the quieter rhythms of life in the mountains and the people who make these places feel like home. It was a journey that deepened my curiosity about the lives shaped by geography, tradition and a closeness to the natural world.
What draws me to these places is not simply the landscapes, but the feeling of being somewhere unfamiliar and allowing yourself to be changed by it. The conversations you didn't expect to have, the kindness of strangers, the glimpse into a life so different from your own. I'm fascinated by how much there is to learn when we step outside the worlds we've grown accustomed to, and how often the things that connect us are far greater than the things that set us apart. This project is my way of following that curiosity, one place and one story at a time.
This is only the beginning. There are so many places I have yet to visit, people I have yet to meet, and ways of living I have yet to understand. I hope to keep following these stories, particularly those that bring us closer to the natural world, preserve the knowledge of local communities, and offer new perspectives on what it means to live well. Over time, I'd love for this work to grow beyond my own travels, connecting with people, organisations and storytellers who share a belief in the value of these stories and want to help bring them into the world.
THE CHAPTERS
FUTURE DESTINATIONS
Stewart Island, NZ ('27)
The Cotswolds ('27)
El Camino, Spain ('27)
Croatia ('27)
Namibia ('27 TBC)
Mozambique ('28 TBC)
Greenland ('28 TBC)
Antartica (Goal)
The chapters bring together stories from places I've travelled through, each offering a different perspective on the relationship between people, culture and landscape. From life in remote Himalayan communities to the mountain borderlands of the Balkans and the vast, elemental landscapes of Iceland, each collection is shaped by the people I've met, the stories they've shared and the everyday details that reveal something deeper about a place. Together, they form an evolving photographic record of the lives, traditions and connections I've encountered along the way.
Nepal
Iceland
Mexico
The Accursed Mountains
Aotearoa, New Zealand
British Columbia, Canada
following the life of guesthouse host in the remote Annapurna Region & inner city oprhanages
a journey into the wild landscapes of Iceland
a village holds on to its cultural traditions
a 100km journey through the Balkans
exploring landscape, people and kaupapa (various)
wildlife conservation efforts in animal sanctuaries
Reaching these places has become about so much more than documenting life on film. It's about the people I meet, the conversations we share, and the little lessons that stay with me long after I've left. It's about being reminded that there are so many different ways to live a life, and that sometimes stepping into someone else's world can help us see our own a little differently. I hope these stories can do the same for others, offering a glimpse into unfamiliar ways of living, a deeper appreciation for the natural world, and a reminder of how much we have to learn from one another.
THE INTENTION
The intention behind this project is to create something that grows beyond the photographs themselves. I hope to share these stories widely, using digital platforms and other channels to bring people closer to places, cultures and perspectives they might not otherwise encounter.
Over time, I'd love to see this evolving body of work take on a life of its own, whether through a photographic exhibition, a published book or a more substantial collection of stories that can be experienced beyond the screen. For now, it's about following my curiosity, documenting the people and places I encounter, and allowing the project to grow into whatever it is meant to become.
