Art consists primarily of an expression of emotions, thoughts and inner realities, into which we artists pour our very souls. There are various forms of art, but they all share an emotional essence.
On my recent visit to the city’s El Ateneo gallery, I came across an exhibition that was unlike any I had seen before. There were no sharp photographs, as I usually see, or oil paintings, nor old photos depicting history at a particular moment. There were no photographs of animals, no portraits, not even surrealist photographs, but there was art—art that is seen with the soul, rather than with the eyes.
Art is a way for artists to express themselves. Therefore, I believe there are endless ways to express art; everyone will find the one that best suits their thoughts, feelings and emotions. And this is the essence of the exhibition I’m bringing you today. It goes far beyond what meets the eye; you have to feel it. You have to stand in front of each composition and see what each one makes you feel.
Transits – Helios 44 M
Paco Negre transforms human movements into photographic poems set within a forest. His camera does not capture details, but rather the atmospheres surrounding the figures, their emotions shrouded in mist, transformed into beautiful ghosts caught between a state of flight and one of happiness.
I absolutely loved this poster, because it conveys exactly what the photographer set out to achieve, and no further explanation is really needed.
Another poster features everyone who has participated in these photographs—the contributors, as each poster labels them beneath each work.
A very important detail before showing you this photographic exhibition is that beneath each work there is a phrase, and I’ve loved that; each one conveys so much and places us within what the photographer sought to express.
“Don’t be left behind; walk alongside yourself. Embrace life. Celebrate your new biography.” Curated by Belén Millán.
“Don’t carry the burden of what’s imposed on you. Spread your wings fearlessly. Fly.” Aixa Portero.
“Love knows no wrinkles. In intimacy, a hug is everything.” Curated by Lorenzo Saval.
In each of these works there are three photographs, at least that’s what I see, joined together. Each one shows a person—the subject of the work, whether man or woman—and in each scene there are different poses and movement, though the outlines of each person aren’t clearly defined.
As the poster mentions, the people depicted there look like ghosts, or perhaps souls, spirits, and in some of the works, in the final photograph, they seem to have vanished.
These are purely emotional works where, as I perceive or interpret it, the person is in a pure and natural state, within the forest, and becomes one with their surroundings, blending in, letting themselves be carried away by it.
“Love, dreams, footsteps. A nest in your hands.” Curated by Sebastián Navas.
“Another place and endeavour. You smile more freely when you greet the mornings.” Curated by Charo Carrera.
“You, him, us. Age is our secret.” Curated by Chema Lumbreras.
When we find ourselves in the heart of nature, especially when it is full of trees, there is a very special energy, and when we manage to synchronise with it, a state of escape from one’s own body is produced, or a state of immense happiness, which is also achieved through meditation.
If you look at each of these works, where sometimes there is a single person in three different moments, sometimes there are two, they make deep contact with that nature and in some cases bare themselves before it and merge with its energy. At least that is what the whole exhibition has made me feel in general.
“Accomplices or not, we are the time we have left.” Curated by Rafael Alvarado.
“When did laughter and kisses turn into broken sounds?” Curated by Fernando de la Rosa.
“Remember what you’ve lived happily; pain moves on. If your hand on my shoulder...” Curated by Esperanza Gómez – Carrera.
Each of the works has a very handcrafted frame that creates the outline, lights, leaves, splashes of colour and much more. The decoration on the frame of the last piece was my favourite; it’s as if part of that forest, with its leaves, were stepping out of the picture. Wonderful.
I always love discovering surprises and new things in art, and this visit has been one of them. 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.
