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The photographs of the abandoned (1964) São Domingos mine ruins take the absence of colour to the extreme of black and white. A process that removes from that landscape, from those ruins, a dominating reason for amazement (colour). Thus open up a possibility for an alternative viewing experience, and to establish an initial connection with the burnt hill ecology.
Representing the spatiality of the two situations – mine and hills – was an important concept. To further this idea panoramic images (6 images, c.150-180º view) were assembled. These views/vistas where complemented by more tightly framed detail photographs. In the panoramic views, the viewpoint intentionally avoids dominating the landscape. A suggestion for the observer to follow, to be drawn, to be lured, and to “enter”, this Ashen Land.
Terra cinza was publicly presented for the first time at the Galeria Fernando Azevedo, [Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes (SNBA) Fine Arts Society], Lisbon in November 2012, as the SNBA representative/entry in the XII Bienal de Fotografia (Photography Biennual). See video by Marta Covita. It is an ongoing series, currently focusing on rural landscape change in the South. The updated work, terra cinza revisited (Terra cinza re-visitada (pt)) was shown at the Museum of Archeology and Ethnography, in Setúbal (MAEDS).
Prints
fine art prints, various dimensions.