A new Perspective of the Pyrenees
The Lleida photographer Oriol Clavera presents ‘Pirenaica’, a collection of 52 photographs that encapsulate their vision of the Pyrenees for 15 years. This recently published work moves away from the words to let the images speak for themselves, offering a deep reflection on the connection between human beings and mountainous landscape.
A visual reflection on life Montanyenca
Clavera expresses his desire to portray the traditional lifestyles that are being faded. However, ‘Pirenaica’ is not intended to be an anthropological document. In the words of the author, the work was born in 2010 during a report in Vallespir, where it began to conceive the idea of exploring the ‘scars’ that our actions leave in the landscape.
The human presence: a subtle background
Clavera images show humanity in the background, with characters that appear as distant silhouettes, thus reflecting the theme of depopulation. His camera captures ephemeral moments, like a shepherd who drinks from a puddle or a lonely hunter in a forest, allowing the landscape to be the protagonist.
Tradition and landscape without stereotypes
The work also includes elements of culture, rituals and traditions, but avoids the usual clichés of mountain photography. For example, the usual views of the peaks are not found, which gives a new dimension to the representation of the Pyrenees.
A visual narrative that inspires
The absence of text allows viewers to use their imagination to connect the images, which follow a thematic narrative. The cover designed by Underbau becomes an extension of the book, contributing to its unique aesthetics.
A trip to both shores of the Pyrenees
Although the photographs were captured mainly on the western side of the Pyrenees, they also include scenes from adjacent areas, reflecting the coexistence between human and nature. The epilogue of the shepherd and activist Vanesa Freixa emphasizes this interaction, remembering that ‘nature often dances between life and death’.
