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b-inspired Exhibitions

So far, so near

Fundación Foto Colectania

13.11.14

With the “Tan lejos, tan cerca” (So far, so close) exhibition the Fundación Foto Colectania reviews the work of the leading exponents of Spanish documentary photography which emerged in the 1970s. The six authors who are included here; Koldo Chamorro, Cristina García Rodero, Cristóbal Hara, Fernando Herráez, Anna Turbau and Ramón Zabalza are characterized by having reinvigorated the genre and applying a direct approach and a new vision that would set the stage for later generations. The exhibition is curated by Cristina Zelich, organized together with the PhotoEspaña festival, produced by the Ministry of Culture, will be on display at Foto Colectania from December 16th till April 2nd 2015.

During the early seventies, a new generation of photographers focused their lens beyond the urban realities in order to capture the rural Spain of that time. Far from the official iconography, these authors reflected life in small provincial towns, marginal cultures and traditions, always from a personal point of view with an innovative look, avoiding the stereotypes imposed by the Franco era. The work reflects their personal interests rather than given commissions, and the series were seen as long term projects which gave the authors a great creative freedom. The projects included here have been recognised with numerous awards, such as the black and white series by Cristóbal Hara or the famous “España Oculta” (Hidden Spain) series by Cristina García Rodero, along with other lesser-known but equally compelling works of the time such as “España Mágica” (Magical Spain) by Koldo Chamorro or “Imágenes gitanas” (Gypsy Images) Ramón Zabala.

  • So far, so near

    Koldo Chamorro
    Sourced from the monographic España Mágica (Magic Spain), Andalucia, 1982                        
    Plate gelatin,original copy

    © Legado de Koldo Chamorro

  • So far, so near

    Fernando Herráez
    La Mancha, 1971
    Plate gelatin, original copy

    © Fernando Herráez

    These photographers inherited the humanistic realism of photographers from the previous generation, the six authors included within this exhibition are differentiated in their work by a greater openness, a more direct observation and documentation of reality avoiding hackneyed poetics, sometimes capturing highly expressive almost surreal images together with other works that betray a deep understanding of the medium. Without constituting a specific movement, other than representing a certian radical perspective on photography in general, the clear perception of capturing a reality that was nearing extinction or transformation, as well as the recording the differences between the urban and rural societies of the time.

  • So far, so near

    Ramón  Zabalza
    Mocejón, Toledo, 1986
    Plate gelatin, original copy

    © Ramón Zabalza

  • So far, so near

    Anna Turbau     
    Rairiz de la Vega, Orense, 1978
    Print, contemporary copy

    © Anna Turbau

  • So far, so near

    Cristóbal Hara  
    Cuenca, Ca. 1973                             
    Print, contemporary copy

    © Cristóbal Hara / Vegap

  • From 16 December to 02 April
  • Fundación Foto Colectania
  • Carrer de Julián Romea, 6
  • www.colectania.es
  • Fundación Foto Colectania
  • Carrer de Julián Romea, 6
  • 08006 Barcelona
  • Telf: +34 93 932 17 16 26