Photographer Luca Battaglia, drawn to the hidden poignancy of urban landscapes, captures the essence of carousels in his ongoing series, Ticket non remboursable. These iconic rides, with their intricate craftsmanship and nostalgic charm, are transformed by his long exposures into ghostly, almost UFO-like structures. Battaglia’s work highlights the timeless appeal of these rides, connecting them to memories, movement, and the transformation of public spaces.

From the late 17th century, when mechanical carousels first appeared, to Battaglia’s modern reinterpretation, these rides have evolved from jousting traditions to beloved attractions in city parks. His photographs, taken using neutral density filters, capture the fleeting beauty of the carousels in motion, tracing lines of light and colour that create abstract, almost ethereal patterns. Battaglia’s technique reveals the magic of these rides, making them seem otherworldly and timeless.

Despite the disappearance of a childhood carousel in his native Milan, Battaglia’s fascination with these rides remains. He says, “I photograph them using long exposures, trying to move away from their literal appearance and reveal something more abstract and suspended.” His work transforms everyday sights into something magical, inviting viewers to see these rides anew.

Battaglia’s project is a reminder of the enduring power of nostalgia and the magic that can be found in urban environments. His photographs are a testament to the way memory and movement merge to create something both familiar and mysterious. As he says, 'The project began with my fascination for carousels, not simply as attractions, but as objects connected to memory, childhood, movement, and the transformation of public space.'