In the universe of Greek mythology, mineral substance bears a profound connection with the concept of sensory deprivation, invisibility, disappearance, death and ghost. If we follow some of the writings of Callimachus, Ovid, Nono of Panopolis about figures such as Tiresias, Niobe and Actaeon we can find that relationship.
Throughout this project, I travel back in time to Neolithic Iberia, bridging it with classical antiquity to pay homage to the notion of cyclical time or a lost mythical era coming back to life. This endeavor dismantles the barriers that separate it from the contemporary world, as I transport these themes and realities to the present day, weaving them together through a non-linear narrative construction.
By recovering notions tied to the mineral world, endowed with symbolic and historical significance, Aphanismos enables the recollection of an array of distinct formations and structures (dolmens and cromlechs) providing a gateway to multifaceted hermeneutics.
The theme of sensory deprivation is evoked through mineral elements that appear to enclose themselves, where their inert demeanor and gradual dissolution serve as an invocation of a funerary and votive dimension, as vividly apparent in some of these monuments.
This phantasmal and almost sacred gaze captured in the images also seeks to honor the animistic beliefs of the megalithic people, reinforcing the idea that spirits wielded dominion over natural forces and their manifestations.
The landscapes and architectural marvels of interest are perpetually depicted on sunlit days. For Stone Age humanity, the radiant celestial entity held paramount significance, providing sustenance, comfort, and much more. The manner in which this element interplayed with nature never ceased to astound. This sense of wonderment persisted throughout my fieldwork and emerged as a pivotal facet in crafting a respectful portrayal of these ancient and monumental structures.
In essence, Aphanismos aspires to unveil the traditions and cultural practices that have informed these dolmens and cromlechs - singular symbolic and historical edifices with roots reaching back to the Neolithic era.