21 January 2022 - Book presentation Sergi Mas. Comiat diferit. Anem Editors Laura Gálvez-Rhein - Photographer

A tribute in photo book format to Sergi Mas, one of the Principality's most important creators.

La Contra 

Laura Gálvez

Diari d'Andorra 19/1/2022

Victor González

"We need to make the art of photography more visible in Andorra

On Friday at seven in the afternoon at Taranmana Art Gallery, in Escaldes-Engordany, the Lauredian artist presents “Deferred Farewell”, a tribute in photobook format to Sergi Mas, one of the Principality's most important creators.

How did you discover the world of photography?

I have always liked photography. When I was little, I used to take my father's camera and take pictures.

Has it always been clear that you wanted to train in this field?

Yes. In fact, when choosing a career, I decided on Advertising because it deals with photography, but my father told me: "If you want to dedicate yourself to photography, study photography", and I did he case

On Friday at seven in the afternoon, she presents 'Deferred Farewell', a photo book dedicated to Sergi Mas, at the Taranmana Gallery, in Escaldes. What did you learn during the process of creating the book?

Lots of things! He is a person with a lot of knowledge. I don't know how he can have so much information in his head. It is an inexhaustible source of Pyrenean culture and Andorran history. I was also very interested in how he works.

What are you working on lately?

I am preparing a project in which I relate the harassment suffered by many women in the street to the witch hunts. At the same time, I participate as an assistant to photographer Marta Fàbregas in photography workshops in women's prisons in Catalonia organized by the Setba Foundation. They are one and a half hour sessions a week for ten weeks.

What is the most important thing you have learned from this experience?

Before entering the prison for the first time, I thought I was a deconstructed and open-minded person, but once there I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Then I realized that I did have a lot of preconceived ideas about women who are in prison. I have learned a lot from these women, and they are very grateful that we are going there to do the workshop.

Today, everyone can take photos with their mobile phone and expose them publicly on the web. How do photographers contribute something different in this sea of ??images?

At least within the group of photographers that I am part of, many analogue techniques that have been relegated with the expansion of digital cameras are being recovered. There is a desire to return to the most primitive expression.

Is photography sufficiently recognized as art in Andorra?

No. Now Barcelona is just beginning to be recognized and here we are taking a step back. The art of photography needs to be made more visible in Andorra.

You have lived and studied in Germany. Is it different there?

Of course! In the cities there are many photography galleries and magazines and, above all, work.