Exhibition: Humberto Rivas and Carlos Saura

Exhibitions in Barcelona of Humberto Rivas and Carlos Saura

Whilst in Barcelona recently I had the privilege to see the work of two photographers who’s work I did not know too well but enjoyed. The theme was of the Spanish Civil war and the genre was social documentary and the 50’s in Spain.

Although these exhibitions were at two distinct locations they shared the telling of stories of men, women and places that have lived through the Spanish Civil war (1933-35) and the 50’s era in Spain which was obviously still under the influence of the dictator, Franco. They are telling and sad pictures for the most part.

I know Spain very well as a country, speak the language fluently and have spent many days wandering the countryside fascinated by its plethora of ruins, landscape and people. I could almost go out and shoot several hundred photos myself and mount a very similar exhibition to the some of the photos seen here. In fact, I have photographed some of the places depicted in these images, especially Belchite, a bombed out village in the province of Aragon near to Zaragoza, that has simply been left as it was since the war. It is fenced off and sits like a great ghost in the bare dry plateau of Belchite like a witness to the world. It’s as if it is saying…”War never works…” “be warned”.

Below are some of the photos of Humberto Rivas:

[1] Humberto Rivera Huellas (footsteps) Photos taken between 1995-2005

 The effect was in some quite familiar as I have felt the sadness and pain of the civil war. I know for a fact that it is still to this day a difficult thing for many spaniards to talk about, of a certain age and generation. Many simply won’t. With the ‘pact of silence’ in place after the war ended both Republican and Nationalist decided it better to put the ‘elephant under the carpet’ and thus forget the pain. However, as I see it, it does not work like that. Pain lives on in the faces and lives of people until they find a way to resolve their past.

I’ve often wondered wether I could not produce a photo project that might aid that process. It would be somewhat provocative for a foreigner to do so. I am struck by how Rivera manages to get the clear firm attention of his subjects in the photos and portray them so well in terms of their emotional inner lives.

Carlos Saura

Saura is the director of the famous film of the seventies ‘blood wedding‘ (boda de sangre, 1981) and presents some of his stills and studio shots from the characters of the film as well as some other documentary/street photos of the 50’s era Spain. I place just one example here from the exhibition.

Image 2. Saura, Lola Flores (1991)

Saura’s film for me was very gripping as I love flamenco and the energy of dance. This film was created in the 70’s which gives it a special feel. When I look at some of these still again I am reminded of the scenes and people that I have seen in Spain, on my travels and stays here. I am endlessly fascinated by this peninsula.

As for the effect of the image on me I see these picture as very enticing and strong, especially because of the character in the photo. The posture in the above photo, a curious position with a back lit background to produce the stylised split lighting effect, creates a certain tension in that she is looking around. There is a certain dynamism in this as opposed to a figure simply looking face on at the camera and I must say it has stimulated my interest in portraiture that is a bit more ‘out of the norm’.

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Images.

1. L’Arxiu Fotográfic de Barcelona (1995-2005) Rivera H. Huellas Photography [exhibition] April 2017
2. Círculo de Arte (1991) Saura C. Lola Flores photography [exhibition] Barcelona April 2017

Books and exhibitions

Over the year I have been to some of the following exhibitions and read these books. This is not an exhaustive list.

Exhibition seen at the IVAM museum in Valencia November-December 2016

With this exhibition which was an exhibition staged by various different artist, the theme was ‘In the city’ a look at the development of Valencia from the 50’s till now. As such it was a historical urban exhibition that showed how various artist had experienced the city and at different times.

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Books read during EYV

I had read these books on other occasions but during the course of assignment 4 for EYV they came in particularly useful for their study of light and studio photography. I find Langford a strong touchstone of technical and philosophical knowledge about photography and always appreciate what he has to say.

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I both read through the book and watched the youtube documentaries by Berger, the documentaries being more engaging. He had made me think again, a bit like Sontag, of the motives for producing art and the effect of the image in our minds. A very thorough analysis of the image and its place and development through history. He also debunks a lot of the high flying ideas about classical art and its significance. One which I find brings clarity to my own ideas. Thank you Mr. Berger.

 

 

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Exhibitions and books during part 1

During part 1.

National portrait gallery London

In London recently I saw the portrait exhibition by William Eggleston, a photographer that I have become fond of and had to work with initially to appreciate his art. His use of colour was superb for these portraits and he views his subjects is a very revealing interesting way.

Added April 2017

Looking at Eggleston’s work has had more appeal for me in the form of this book ‘The democratic forest’. Although I enjoyed the exhibition, I don’t think that it’s had as strong an  impact as the book. On first viewing, I did particularly know how to take the book as at first glance Eggleston seems to be going in his own completely unique direction in terms of composition and subject. However, for me the work has grown on me over time. It is difficult to photograph the mundane in an interesting way. I like the fact that Eggleston does not compromise his vision nor try to overly explain it. He simply seems to think in terms of photographing the moment. Whatever he photographs seems to have a strong sense of that is exactly what he saw and how he saw it in the moment. It may be mundane, but there is an honesty and reflection in his vision. This I find inspiring.

Susan Sontag On photography

One of the best historical overviews that I have read to date written by the very intelligent writer Susan Sontag. What I particularly liked about the book is the way she sees very clearly into the motivations of the photographer and what drives him or her to dedicate themselves to take images. At times she reveals the false assumptions behind photos as well, which I found helpful for my own practice to think about.

The photograph as contemporary art

I’ve been enjoying this book as a slow read, looking at the different genres of photography and the dynamics involved in the development of the different photographic ‘traditions’.

The democratic forest

By Eggleston

This is the first book ‘The democratic forest’ that I had studied on Eggleston. It was a gift from a friend. I have really begun to appreciate the vision of Eggleston as one of the great contemporary photographers of our time.

Photography a critical introduction

By Lizz Wells

Lizz is a thoughtful writer. I have found the this book really useful for a number of themes of study. To date I have mainly drawn out the theme of semiotics as a part of general study in the way images work through symbolism and therefore how we determine meaning in a photo

The London photo gallery

Colin Jones photography and looking at changing times through expressions of black male masculinity. Whist at first glance the exhibition seemed curious, I did not find much good material for reflection or depth to it. It seemed a very narrow theme and there were not that many images in the exhibition to explore the subject fully enough.