In March, BilbaoArte will host the course Traces of Light and Matter: Intensive Workshop. Taught by photographer Julio Álvarez Yagüe.
The course aims to provide photographers with the intellectual tools necessary to develop a solid and personal visual discourse in the context of contemporary art. It also helps participants articulate the ‘why’ behind their work and the concept that guides their project. The idea as origin, the poetic value of the image, the document vs. the narrative.
Framework of intentions in contemporary photography
Monday-Tuesday
In the contemporary context, the aim is to analyse the position of photographic work within the current art scene: authorship, the relationship between analogue and digital, photography as an art object.
In its methodology, the course establishes a ‘framework’ or working methodology for the creation of a coherent body of work. The management of the photographic project, selection and editing, assembly and final presentation.
Creative techniques
Wednesday-Thursday
Explore the practical and experimental component, focusing on photographic processes that dispense with or minimise the use of the traditional camera.
This module aims to encourage participants to experiment with the materiality of photography and light as a pictorial element. It thus focuses on the chemical intervention of photosensitive paper in ambient light or with minimal darkroom requirements. Chemigrams: Creation of abstract compositions by applying chemicals (developers, fixers, acids) directly to the paper, controlling the reaction.
Julio Álvarez Yagüe
His career in fine art photography began as an extension of his professional activity in the field of aerial photography and later expanded to include advertising work for companies such as Telefónica and Amper. In the early 1980s, he became involved with various artistic collectives in Madrid, Catalonia and other parts of Spain, co-founding Grupo 28, later renamed Colectivo 28. He participated in national and international competitions, where he won numerous awards, and received grants for commissioned projects from institutions such as La Caixa, the Portuguese Tourist Office, the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife and the Rafael Botí Foundation. Since then, he has developed two parallel lines of work, one focused on photography and the other on research into the photogram-chemigram. He has held more than 250 exhibitions in Spain and other countries, and his work forms part of important public and private collections, including the Reina Sofía Museum, the IVAM and the Joan Miró Foundation. In addition, he has carried out extensive work in teaching and promoting contemporary photography.
COURSE DETAILS
Title: Traces of Light and Matter: Intensive Workshop
Taught by: Julio Álvarez Yagüe
Location: BilbaoArte (Urazurrutia, 3) Workshop space, editing room, set
Dates: 9–12 March
Time: 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Places: 12 people
The registration fee is €150. €75 (reduced rate for BilbaoArte users). Free for current artists in residence at BilbaoArte.
Aimed at: photographers, artists and art students interested in developing their visual discourse. Basic knowledge of photography is recommended.
How to register: bilbaoarte@bilbao.eus (indicating in the subject line: course ‘traces of light and matter’). To register, you must complete the registration form and attach five images, a brief presentation of your work and a letter of motivation.