From one photographer to another.
A bright, driven, outrageously wise woman once said:
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” (Anaïs Nin)
As time passes by, most of us, even more, those who acknowledge the best version of themselves when in creative areas such as art, design and engineering, per example, want to highly believe in possibility, evolution, mutation, physical and emotional growth.
Furthermore, to believe in a place where their findings have meaning, where their opinion and urges matter, where their least attractive version can exist without further reprehension. Not because they easily accept defeat, but because they permit theirselves to be comfortable with failure and embrace change.
Again, about acceptance and upgrowth, Anaïs reinforces:
“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.”
Ana:
This photographic exercise comprehends three premises:
LAYER — to unveil the concept of layers/stratification; to capture the idea of various versions of oneself that are natural to appear gradually; diverse versions that are expectable and part of a healthy process of growth and enhancement.
CAMOUFLAGE — to produce, visually, through a sensible device, a set of portraits that beautifully illustrate the notion of hideout, a layered being; secondly, to surface the idea that fearfulness, doubt, uncertainty it’s ok.
GROWTH — as a child, once in the system, we are forced, automatized to be, to feel, to behave properly under certain conditions and circumstances; to be ferocious, to be fragile, to be different because we did not like or adapted to the ordinary was not only unusual, but considered wrong; because we felt something effervescent regarding these not-ordinary things, we were put immediately in a ‘special’ drawer.
It is through distinct forms of existence, reflection and thriving in the world that we reach to a more equivalent, balanced, decent reality.
When I first came to Álvaro, I wanted him to capture a more serious, professional version of myself. He suggested the beautiful concept of reflection, a layered-self, the idea that I was not yet prepared to full exposure, that would be something that, when prepared, would be unfolded.
At its core, this project, produced by two fellow colleagues, unexpectedly matured and became something meaningful. Somewhat, a device that embodies vulnerability, the idea that change and inner-growth does not define who oneself is, but who oneself can become.
Ana Vieira (Tigre Studio on Behance)
