Art exhibitions are often unusual, but they are very realistic, showing us the truth, harsh and shocking realities, especially in photography exhibitions.
I try not to miss art exhibitions, but sometimes there are so many of them throughout the city that I am unable to attend on occasion. However, there are two galleries that I do not want to miss, and I had not been to them for quite some time, so last week I went to make sure I did not miss anything on display there, knowing that it would soon change.
Upon entering, I encountered images of a reality that has been happening for some time, but captured through the vision of Sergi Cámara with photographs that leave no room for doubt on certain issues.
Each and every one of these photographs reveals how many people from many countries try to leave their own countries and enter another that will give them asylum, but in very harsh ways, in deplorable conditions. Of course, political, social, cultural, and even economic issues always arise. But I believe that this exhibition allows us to see the point of view of those who desperately cross borders, fleeing wars, for example, and living in subhuman conditions.
We may all have different opinions on these issues, but in this case I am trying to show these heartbreaking photographs of people who truly need to flee, who are truly in need. Then there are other types of occupations that are seen every day, where people do not come or arrive in this way, in small boats or on planks, in precarious boats, without shoes, without clothes, without food. That is another issue.
Here we see how the police in European countries often do not let people in or even use violence against them. I don't think they are all the same, but in this case the photographer emphasized these circumstances, and they are sent back.
In addition, it shows the reality of how these police officers take away their clothes, shoes if they have them, cell phones, and burn them, as well as how they are subjected to all kinds of humiliation.
The exhibition featured many posters explaining the situation, including the number of deaths at sea due to having to choose dangerous routes that are increasingly risky, and many of these boats carry children and women from various parts of Africa.
The photographer presents a point of view on the control exercised by the European Union at its borders, which they say is to prevent smuggling, which does exist on a large scale, and anything that is illegal. Because of this type of control, people seek other routes, which, as I have said many times, are risky.
As in many parts of the world, human rights are violated in many ways under the guise of immigration control. It is true that there is a lot of illegal immigration and that everything would be chaos otherwise, but it is not necessary to mistreat people. Instead, there should be a regulatory framework that allows people to be helped without affecting the nationals of each country. Of course, this topic could be discussed at length.
Immigrants come to Europe for various reasons, but many are in search of a better future. Of course, migration must be controlled and regulated, as was the case for me when I waited five years to obtain the necessary papers. But mistreatment is not fair either; it should never happen under any circumstances.
This photographer's work has been ten years in the making, and although in recent years there has been uncontrolled and illegal migration causing many problems, including violence against nationals, Sergi's work goes back a long way and focuses specifically on the violation of human rights.
He has produced a great deal of documentary work on the subject of migrants and refugees and organ trafficking. He is the author of the book Negro, has published extensively in Spain and abroad, and won the Joan Gomis Memorial Award for his journalistic career in 2019, among many others.
This photographer is world-renowned, and it has been a pleasure for me to be at this exhibition, where he himself believes that good boots are more valuable than a good camera in this profession.
Thank you very much for joining me today. I wish you all a very happy Sunday. See you soon.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
