Photo Collage

En este taller, los participantes aprenderán la técnica de transferencia fotográfica, un proceso creativo que permite transferir imágenes a diversas superficies. A través de un enfoque práctico, exploraremos el uso de papel acuarela y la técnica de auto-transferido para crear piezas únicas.Cronograma

1. Introducción: Explicación del concepto de "transfer" y los diferentes tipos de superficies donde se puede aplicar.

2. Preparación: Selección, de imágenes en formato invertido (explicación de requisitos técnicos).

3. Demostración y Práctica guiada: Presentación de la técnica paso a paso en papel acuarela, y técnica del auto transferido.

4. Práctica guiada: Los participantes trabajan en sus proyectos guiados por la Artista.

5. Cierre y evaluación: Resolución de dudas, aplicación de barniz protector y discusión de resultado.

Cada participante tiene que traer mínimo 3 fotocopias A5 y 2 A4, en calidad color e invertidas (izquierda-derecha).

Since its invention in the early 20th century, collage has served as a medium for creating new compositions of the real by gluing different elements together on a support. This process allows for the rearrangement of existing materials, enabling surreal connections and the creation of entirely new worlds. In this workshop, we will merge the art of collage with AI-generated images, where analog paper, scissors and glue meets virtual algorithms.

Outline

1. Introduction: We begin with an overview of the history and techniques of collage, exploring its evolution and creative possibilities.

2. Image Selection and Concept Development: Participants will start by selecting motifs from a collection of old magazines that catch their interest. We will gradually explore potential compositions and develop a theme for our collage.

3. Cutting Out and AI Image Generation: While some participants cut out their magazine clippings, others will create AI-generated images for their collage on the computer. These images will then be printed out.

4. Arranging and Gluing: Finally, the cut-out images will be arranged into new compositions and glued onto the base, bringing our collages to life.

Participants are invited to bring their own pictures for the collage. Old photos, newspapers, flyers, posters and all other printed materials are suitable.

This workshop aims to delve into the world of experimental photography, exploring how materials and personal experiences can transform the photographic medium. Through a practical and reflective approach, participants will develop a unique project, working with objects and photographs that connect to their own stories. The workshop will start with a review of published projects from international artists, who widely experiment with different kind of materials on photography, we will see references on the computer and briefly analyze their personal stories, meanings, the connection and coherence between the medium and the final work. We will then have a small talk about each one’s selection of objects and photographs, personal stories and connections, the "why" on which the work will be based. Finally we will experiment together with manual work, creating new objects.

Outline

1. Introduction to Experimental Photography and Review of International Artists' Projects

   • Overview of the workshop’s objectives and structure.

   • Brief discussion of the concept of experimental photography and its evolution.

2. Presentation of published projects from renowned international artists who experiment with materials in photography.

   • Analysis of their work using the computer: examining the materials used, the meaning behind their choices, and the connection between the medium and the final piece.

   • Group discussion on how these artists' materials contribute to their overall message and aesthetic.

3. Personal Selection and Storytelling

   • Participants will be invited to select objects, materials, and photographs that resonate with them.

   • Small group discussions about each participant’s selections: personal connections, meanings, and the motivations behind their choices.

   • Exploration of the "why" behind each participant's chosen materials and stories that will form the foundation of their work.

4. Hands-on Experimentation

   • Participants will engage in practical experimentation, combining their selected materials and photographs.

   • Focus on manual techniques and material manipulation to create unique photographic objects.

   • Guided activity where participants work with their chosen materials to explore new textures, forms, and effects in their photographs.

5. Group Reflection and Sharing

   • Sharing of the works created during the hands-on session.

   • Group discussion on the process, challenges, and outcomes.

   • Reflection on how material choices and personal stories have influenced the final pieces.

Participants should bring their personal photos and objects to work with. I suggest them to come with a series of options such as: Old personal or founded photographs / New personal or founded photographs / Any personal object or material they would like to work on: it can be papers, fabrics, ceramics, 3d objects such as small boxes, small statues, frames, anything. The Artist also suggest to bring copies of the chosen photographs and not original unique prints.

"You are here”

“You’ve arrived”

In Muslim, South Asian cultural practice, it is said that the journey of life is from one Azaan (call to prayer) to another Azaan. One given at birth; the other, at the end of life. In the middle is the mess of living, finding our way, exploring, getting lost, discovering and developing a relationship with our whereabouts. One way to connect with your surroundings is by what you observe - the sounds, the stories, places of safety, familiarities, routes we avoid/or take. All of it says about where our attention goes, who makes it to this visual map of ours and what is left out.

First Part

In this workshop, we are inviting you to map the city of Barcelona through photographs, its memory, narratives, experiences, long walks and observational notes. We remain persistent throughout how you capture the feeling of the space you’ve occupied. Together, in the same space, we’ll do test runs of accepting and translating our felt emotions through photos. Once collected, we can then move into the deeper exploration of who have we captured, why, what does it represent through a reflective session with the questions written below.

Questions to ask yourself:

1. Representation of diversity only becomes relevant through the process of visualization itself. So who is represented on my map? Why are they there?

2. Other than roads and pathways, what else can be added to my map?

3. What different spaces can we find in our area?

4. What kind of actors, processes and problems do we associate with each one area?

5. What spaces do we feel closest to?

6. Which spaces do we perceive as strange and unknown?

Second Part

We’d like to share that practice of flaneur with our participants where we’ll be working with images that we have taken or found to create hand-made (or digital) photo collages and turning them into subjective maps of these spaces that we have occupied while translating the ideas, memories and feelings that we have associated with our neighborhoods. In the end, the maps will be displayed as interactive art pieces for display, reflection, remembrance and beauty.

Outline:

1. Introductory presentation: The workshop will start off with an ice-breaking activity. introductory presentation by the facilitators. The presentation introduces the concept and politics of Counter-Mapping. We start off looking at the brief history of maps. We will be introducing our content for counter-mapping, to bring attention to counter-mapping projects in the Global South, and how they shape the movements of Resistance. Later we will also look at how different subjective maps can look like.

2. Ways of seeing: The participants will be led outside for an observational study of their locality and given prompts to carry out a photo-based exercise. a. What are the sounds you can observe around the city? Can you photograph them? / b. What are the scents you can smell around the city? Can you photograph them / c. What are the textures of this city? / d. How do you see this city through its colours or lights? Photograph them / e. How does the city speak? What texts are you seeing around you? Photograph them. 

3. Workshopping: Finally we start preparing for our photo collages using the images that the participants have brought with them, taken in the field visit and magazine cutouts. The facilitators will guide them through the process and prepare them to curate their final counter-maps.

4. Sharing and Reflections: The participants will each introduce their work to the group, their concepts, inspirations and the story of their own neighbourhoods (and Barcelona).

Participants must bring a Camera (In case, the participant does not have a camera, they can use their phones), printed Images of your city/neighbourhood. Images can include the ones they have taken themselves and images found on the internet. Participants should bring their own laptops or tablets with photo-editing software (Photoshop, Photopea etc.)