Mikel Bastida: Anarene

Mikel Bastida's photobook explores the impact of fictional and popular narratives on physical settings and realities, featuring staged photographs inspired by cinema and history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 116 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: RM Verlag SL

Mikel Bastida, a Spanish photographer born in 1982, creates staged photographs that are influenced by cinema and history. In his latest photobook, he presents a fresh perspective on the United States through cinematic references, drawing inspiration from the ghost town in Archer County, Texas, featured in Bogdanovich's film adaptation of The Last Picture Show by McMurtry.

Bastida's photographs are meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a bygone era. He carefully selects locations and sets that resonate with the themes of the films he references, creating a visual narrative that blends reality and fiction.

One of the key elements in Bastida's work is the use of light and shadow. He employs a combination of natural and artificial light to create a moody and atmospheric atmosphere that enhances the emotional impact of his images. The ghost town in Archer County, Texas, for example, is depicted as a desolate and abandoned place, with the remnants of a bygone era visible through the decaying buildings and abandoned cars.

Bastida's photographs also explore the relationship between memory and history. He often incorporates elements of personal history into his work, such as family photographs and old postcards, to create a sense of connection between the past and the present. This approach allows him to explore the ways in which our memories shape our understanding of the world and the stories we tell ourselves.

In addition to his photobooks, Bastida has exhibited his work in galleries and museums around the world. His photographs have been praised for their technical skill and their ability to evoke a sense of emotion.

Despite his success, Bastida remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to explore new themes and techniques, and his work continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in photography.

In conclusion, Mikel Bastida's photobooks are a cinematic meditation on how physical settings and realities are shaped by fictional and popular narratives. Through his meticulously crafted photographs, he presents a fresh perspective on the United States and explores the relationship between memory and history. His work is a testament to the power of photography to evoke emotion and create a sense of connection between the past and the present.

Weight: 815g
Dimension: 279 x 229 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788419233325