Description
JORGE RIBALTA
Book summary
This catalog documents the first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to photographer Jorge Ribalta, presented at the Sala Recoletos of Fundación MAPFRE. The work proposes a reverse chronological journey through his production, from his most recent documentary works to his early illusionist stagings from 1987. Through this arrangement, the reader will discover the evolution of two antagonistic conceptions of photography and the connections between them, offering a complete and reflective vision of one of the most unique trajectories in contemporary photography.
What is it about?
The book accompanies the exhibition of the same name and is structured as a visual "excavation" that goes from the present to the past. The exhibition traces Ribalta's transition from a photography of illusionist staging (begun in 1987) to a sui generis documentary photography (starting in 2005). The reverse chronology not only allows for an academic study of his work, but also makes visible how every historical narrative is a retrospective construction. The catalog seeks to account for this aesthetic and conceptual rupture, exploring potential connections and continuities between both stages, and replicating the artist's own "archaeological" methodology with the photographic image.
Main themes
- Evolution from staged photography to contemporary documentary.
- Archaeological methodology and reverse chronology as analytical tools.
- The retrospective construction of historical narrative in art.
- Rupture and continuity in the work of Jorge Ribalta.
- Photography as a critical and conceptual practice.
Who is it recommended for?
This catalog is aimed at photographers, visual artists, art historians, photography students, and exhibition curators. It will also be of great interest to collectors and fans of contemporary photography who wish to understand in depth the evolution of one of the most relevant creators on the Spanish scene, as well as to those seeking a reflection on the nature of the archive and visual narrative.
What this book contributes
- A complete and ordered vision of Jorge Ribalta's trajectory, from his beginnings to the present day.
- An analysis of the transition between two opposing conceptions of photography, enriching the understanding of his work.
- An innovative curatorial proposal (reverse chronology) that invites a rethinking of art history.
- Reference material for scholars and followers of documentary and conceptual photography.
Technical data
- Author: BALIBREA, MARI PAZ; CHEVRIER, JEAN-FRANÇOIS; DRESSLER, IRIS; RI
- Publisher: FUNDACION MAPFRE
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: EXHIBITION CATALOGS AND SPECIFIC COLLECTIONS, PHOTOGRAPHERS
- Collection: EXHIBITION CATALOG
- Binding: Hardcover
- Date of publication: February 2022
- Number of pages: 280
- Weight: 1342 g
Editorial review
This catalog is presented as a key piece for those interested in contemporary Spanish photography. The curatorial decision to invert the chronology is not a mere artifice, but provides the volume with added value by highlighting the constructed nature of any artistic narrative. The quality of the texts and the reproduction of the works make it an essential reference document for understanding the complexity and evolution of Jorge Ribalta, as well as for those seeking a rigorous approach to current debates on the photographic medium.