Are we living the life we really want or the one others expect from us?
The course will be divided in three modules. Each one of a week of duration. The first of them will be a general introduction to photography, the second will be about the processing of the images with the computer and the last one about ways of presenting your work. This last module will be held in november.
Feel like attending? Registration opens this coming monday. ;)
More info (in spanish).
I see photography as a window through which we observe what surround us. Always curious, sensitive, alert. It is the search of the hidden meanings in the apparently obvious.
Photography is also a mirror. Thank to our images we discover ourselves. We understand who we are; what our obsessions are, which matters worry us. It is a way to put things in order in our minds.
But this observation and deduction process does not end until someone sees our work. Occasionally, at that point, the viewer might find him or herself facing his or her own concerns. Photography then derives into a dialog. The circle then closes.
I spent some days in Rome a few weeks ago. It was my first time there and I think it wont be the last. I was overwhelmed.
Arriving in Italy was just as if I was getting to Spain. Its light, landscape, buildings, people, traffic, noise... everything reminded me of Spain. I couldn't see the difference between the outskirts of Rome and Barcelona. In any case, nothing to do with the Central Europe style I'm used to see lately.
But all those similarities vanish when you get to the city centre. Uauuuhhhhh!!!! And I thought Paris was impressive... I just couldn't help it. I was so stirred. Stepping by chance into all these master pieces on the street; the Pantheon, the Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus (on which the Arch de Trioumpth in Paris is based), the Trajan's column (inspiration for the Vendôme Column, also in Paris), the Coliseum, the Farnese Palace, the Trevi Fountain, the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, St. Peter... I had in front of me all the originals that I had studied in history of art. All there. Live!
Although there were many tourists all over the place, I just didn't see them. I was so captivated by the power of these pieces of art. I was in shock for long.
And by entering the Pantheon I accomplished one of the things I have always wanted to do. It was awesome. So amazingly big and at the same time balanced. If I had this feeling in century XXI, what might have it been like for people 2000 years ago?
And then the catholic issue. It's a love-hate thing. On the one hand, thanks to the commissions of these people, some of the greatest pieces of art ever where developed. On the other, knowing it was just all about propaganda makes me repulse it.
In any case, not a town to stay for only a week. I have to be back and spend the time it deserves.
A couple of years ago I decided I had to put more effort on my personal photographic work. I had been too focused on professional commissions and had forgotten about my deeper creative side.
All I knew is I wanted to focus on personal projects, but I had no clue what kind of project to do. Photography has a wide range of thematic fields, not to mention the amount of different possible approaches to tell what you have in mind.
I've been trying different things along the years, but I haven't really felt comfortable with any of them; documentary photography, photo journalism, street photography, travel photography... For different reasons, none of them has really fulfilled me.
I would feel kind of lost, but never lost hope. I knew it was a process I had to go through and as long as I would keep the illusion, it was only a matter of time.
I've spent most of the last weeks going through the photos I've done in the last years, and although I might have not liked the results when I took them, when seeing them as a whole, it's simply amazing the connections I find between them. I see myself reflected in my work!
I feel like everything makes sense now. I know what I want to talk about now and how I want to tell it. The work starts now though, but that's ok. I'm not afraid. Everything is clear to me now!
I missed a plane to Mexico some weeks ago. I was sure there had to be a "mystical" reason for it. Now I know this was the reason. Having had this time for myself has helped me find the answers to many of the questions I've had in my mind for long.
Now I can think clear. No more blurriness. At least for some time...
I'm in Madrid right now and I'm enjoying it soooooo much! :-) Busy streets, loud people, late opening timetables for shops, galleries, museums… But the best of all is food. Oh God! It's just so good. Superb ingredients that come straight forward; no sauces needed to hide average quality of fish or meat. Tasty and inexpensive wine all over the place. A good lunch can last for hours! There's such a respect for eating. It's something you don't get in central Europe. I missed this.
I have to admit I feel like a tourist in my own country enjoying the spanish culture.
I even had a siesta the other day. I hadn't slept one in months!
I've spent most of these last months in Berlin. In this period I've lived in six different full-equipped flats. I like this system because it gives me the freedom to travel as often I want. If I had a flat of my own, I would have to buy furniture and other household items. I would be attached, somehow, to a place. Something I don't like at all. Freedom of movement is a key part of my life at this very moment. I have all my stuff in one case. And when I say all, I mean ALL. But the point is I need something I can call a home. Somewhere I feel comfortable.
By renting flats this way, I always feel I live in a "home". They have all the commodities you might need, plus many personal items; books, CDs, clothing, pictures... The thing is I see myself living someone else's life. I listen to their music, read their magazines and greet every morning, while having breakfast, an unknown kid whose picture hangs in a wall of the kitchen.
Before entering the flat, I've only had a nice chat with their owners, so I don't really know them. But during my stay at their places, and by having contact with their things, I get to know them pretty well. I can say if they are optimistic, if they spend a lot of their time at home, if they have a couple, if they are organized, if they come from Western or Eastern Germany...
Up until now, I still have contact with them all. I have started nice friendships this way. And know what? In most of the cases I was pretty right in my guesses by looking at their belongings.
At this point of my life, I've decided not to say NO to anything. I'm into experiencing everything. No matter what. I have become a "YES sayer" as I like calling myself.
So when Malin Bernreuter, a fashion designer who lives here in Berlin, asked me some weeks ago if I wanted to photograph a piece she had created, I didn't it think twice.
Fashion is not my specialty but the plan sounded fun. A day by Caputhen See, near Potsdam, in a forest in the middle of autumn.
I'm glad I wasn't in Cathleen's (the model) skin. It was chilling. 5º C! And as you see, she didn't have much on... I would also like to point out Julie Skok's work. She was in charge of the hair and make up.
This is the first time in my life I don't spend Christmas in the Canary Islands with my family and friends. And you know what? I'm not depressed whatsoever!
I am in Berlin right now. I was meant to be in Mexico, but that's another story... Most of the people I know in this town are away, spending these days with their families. There're actually fewer people that are born in Berlin. The majority come from abroad or from other parts of Germany. So that means that I have spent much of the time on my own. And far from having been a traumatic experience, I have found it, somehow... spiritual.
This year I've been away from social compromises, consumerism, huge dinners... Sadly, it hasn't been "white Xmas", but "grey Xmas" instead (closer to white than the blue I get in the Canaries' sky...). It's cold here. The arquitecture (Central Europe style) seems to fit the moment. Streets are quieter than usual. Even most bars don't open in Christmas Eve (amazing for a town like Berlin with such an amazing night life).
This solo experience has helped me have time to think about the people that mean something for me in this world. I'm glad to say that there're many. And that has made me feel good. I haven't been alone at all. I have had more contact (at least in a spiritual way) with those I love, than I usually would do while spending Christmas at home.
Tomorrow I´ll be giving a lecture about my personal experiences in the last couple of years. What I´ve done to take control (or at least have tried to) over my own life in order to achieve my personal and creative goals.
Wanna come?
