THE BOOK OF SAND (2015-2020)

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«The book of Sand» tells the story of the great mobile dune of Valdevaqueros as a metaphor of the absurd human determination to dominate nature, while remaining separated from it. It presents a multifaceted approach that explores the social, environmental and political history that led to the formation of the dune, relating it to philosophical questions. 

It is a local story that takes place in Punta Paloma (Tarifa, Cadiz) – a paradisiacal enclave in the Strait of Gibraltar, only 14km from Africa – where the dune originates as a result of the military intervention in 1939 at the end of the Spanish Civil War. This operation radically changed the physiognomy of the area, generating environmental and social consequences that have yet to be resolved.

BODY OF WORK: 

INTRODUCTORY PANEL: handwritten graphite wall text, alongside a display case presenting a copy of the book resting on dune sand.

PHOTOGRAPHY: three different sizes and formats

  • 220cm x 300cm: four-color art quality print on 100% organic cotton fabric. Displayed scroll-like, suspended from two bamboo rods or locally sourced reeds.The fabrics are altered with embroidered phrases using vintage cotton threads, drawn from the book and including an excerpt on dunes by Rachel Carson.
  • 100cm x 70cm: printing with pigmentes inks on cotton paper, directly nailed to the wall.
  • 29cm x 22 cm copies with pigmented inks framed in a natural oak wood.

ARCHIVE: In the main room, a showcase is placed where are included archival photos and a tile with typical Islamic Al-Andalus motifs found in the abandoned military installations.

SOUND: Looped sound of wind and sea and sand crashing, plus whispers of different actors mixed.

VIDEO INSTALLATION : 11 sandbags from the dune piled up, leaving one open so that the sand can be seen and touched. It is accompanied by a 7» looped video (Extraction, 2022).

* Throughout the production process, I apply best practices to ensure maximum conservation and durability, while minimising the ecological footprint, as part of my ongoing research to develop a guide of good practices for sustainable art production.

 

 

Photobook (2020), Special Editions (2021) and Cabo Mayor Faro Art Center Exhibition Catalog (2022).