Mara Sánchez-Renero
Iluikak: Cueva de las Golondrinas
Archival Pigment Print on Optica Smooth Cotton Fiber
2017
120 x 80 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18), developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Centizal
2018
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
82 x 55 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Mara Sánchez-Renero
Iluikak: Árbol Rojo
Archival Pigment Print on Optica Smooth Cotton Fiber
2016
120 x 80 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18), developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: El torito
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
82 x 55 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Cabezo
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
82 x 55 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Remojo
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
40 x 26.6 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Refugio
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
40 x 26.6 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Burro gabarrero
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
40 x 26.6 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: El gallo
2018
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
82 x 26.6 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Cordillera
2018
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
40 x 26.6 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: El guajalote
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Plumas
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
40 x 26.6 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Baliza de fuego
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
82 x 26.6 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Mara Sánchez-Renero
Iluikak: Hombre con burbujas
Archival Pigment Print on Optica Smooth Cotton Fiber
2016
120 x 80 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18), developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Mara Sánchez-Renero
Iluikak: Enraice
2017
Fine Art Print on Baryta Cotton Fiber
Ed. 7
82 x 55 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Ramal
2016
Ed. 7 + 2 A.P.
Fine Art Print
55 x 82 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Átlahuitzla
2016
Ed. 3 + 2 A.P.
Backlint print in lightbox
45 x 30 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak: Árbol blanco
2016
Ed. 3 + 2 A.P.
Backlint print in lightbox
45 x 30 cm
“Iluikak” (2016-18) most recent oeuvre of the photographer and solo show in ALMANAQUE, developed in the mountains of the sierra Zongolica, Veracruz. When the Mexican photographer first traveled to the region in 2016, she found a territory of vast nature, and abundant in culture, in this area mostly inhabited by the Nahuas people. The relationship between the original communities and nature triggered her interest to decode human rituals through photographic composition, creating a new one at the time of the image capture inserting new symbolic elements; in order to show new meanings of the socio- cultural and natural structures that the sierra shelters. “Iluikak”, is the photographer’s personal gaze of the mysticism that shapes the relationships between nature, identity and territory, in which color and lighting are fundamental, giving specificity to the body of works conforming the exhibition.
Approximate view with unframed print. Ask for exact available dimensions
Iluikak
Mara Sánchez-Renero
26 april - 15 july 2018
Curating: Ana Belén Jarrín
Text: Amanda de la Garza
Director: Arturo Delgado
Iluikak is both a word and a barren sound. Sounds are also the territories: to walk, to gasp while ascending a mountain, to gallop when lowering it back, a slope that breaks off, the stealthy descent of the fog, the solitary sound of the animals. Mara Sánchez-Renero reverses the relationship between visibility, image and territory through this photographic series. In these images, flashes and fragments of what inhabits a mountain unfold. We can not see it at a glance, it needs to be open. The landscape is not the clue to know a territory but its fragment. To open a mountain implies entering its multiple dimensions: mountain as a way of life, mountain as magic, mountain as a secret, mountain as a glimpse, mountain as fantasy, mountain as history, mountain as nature, mountain as a moment.
La sierra de Zongolica in the state of Veracruz, is tracked by the slow construction of these photographs, shaped by high, mid and low lands as a constant transition of heights and humidity. Its original inhabitants, the Nahuas peoples since ancient times are country workers and more and more they become migring communities. Iluikak means «near to the sky», this name is a the same time a description and a metaphor, which encompasses the life of the people of the mountain. Sánchez-Renero invites us to approach this territory upon a question: how can an Imaginary may be documented, how can one speak of a place without starting from the relationship between photography and document?
The answers to these questions sail on the aesthetic quality: the slow construction. It addresses two unfolded temporalities. On the one hand, the moment of the image that we are looking at, always in relation to the present; the light, the burst is always present, after the fire or the darkness. The other moment is the previous one that we do not observe: to travel, to climb the mountain, to talk, compose, build, rework the image on the site, create the space for it to happen, experiment with different sources of light. Contradictorily, the luminous and technical artifice allows to speak from the darkness.
The images are tied in their temporalities upon the idea of the act. This one conceals the environment that surrounds the image, it only offers us a loophole. A fragment to the eye is simultaneously what reveals the imaginary inscribed in the mountain. The image evokes and presents, what we see is only what we see there. At the same time it allegorizes what we can not see and therefore what can not be named or represented.
Iluikak fully assumes the tight relationship between what a photographic image creates and the real it comes from. It leads through the furrow between documentary and fiction. How to produce images that open the mountain, that speak of it as object and subject, as nature? By reducing the spectrum of what we can see about a site, Sánchez-Renero manages a space not only for the images or the symbols of the mountain to emerge, but to create an imaginary at the same time abstract and concrete from the pendular relationship between the visible and the invisible.
Amanda de la Garza
April, 2018