César Manrique was a crucial personality for the development of Lanzarote in the past half century and thanks to him the island can serve as an example of sustainable care for its natural wealth, architecture and urbanism – height regulation of tall buildings, limits on billboards, regulation of recreational facilities and so on. On visiting his house and Foundation one can clearly perceive his respect for the natural materials of the island and through that his opinion on what is and is not important for human life. Ever since my first meeting with Lanzarote in 2011, I have been absolutely captivated by the island and especially by the work of César Manrique.
I have twice visited the island of Lanzarote along with some fellow photographers in the scope of my specialized project trips – with the aim to photograph the island in the way it had been captured in the artworks of this island’s native and important representative of the Art Informel movement. In May 1-8, 2019 /Sept 28 – Oct 5, 2021 we visited places associated with his work allowing ourselves to be inspired by them, because in essence they originated from the character of the island. During our two photo expeditions we visited places where he lived and worked, we got acquainted “in natura” with his paintings as well as his architectural works, passing by his “windmills” next to roads and junctions…
The project opens a new line of photographic contemplations on the subject of the reflection of painting in photography, ART CONTEMPLATIONS.
The collection was awarded Silver winer in professional categories “Abstract”, “Nature” and “Photomanipulation” at NEW YORK PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2021; awarded as nominee – category “Abstract” at FAPA London 2020, Fine Art Photography Awards, and promoted as finalist – category “Serie”, professionals at SIENA AWARDS 2020, Creative Photo Awards.