The
personage of Miguel de Cervantes often remained in the shadow of the glory of Don
Quixote, the protagonist of his epic literary work. Cervantes, however, had a
remarkable life story, which the organizers wished to tell in commemoration of
the 400th anniversary of his death. Thus, photographer José Maniel Navia traced
the writer’s footsteps and embarked on a journey that was as eventful as
Cervantes’ and captured the travel in a subjective, evocative and radically
modern way. Through these images, Cervantes’ time, both literary and real, is
shown to mirror ours.
The
result pays homage to a man and his life outside his literature. Acción
Cultural Española (AC/E), Institut Cervantes, and the Spanish Agency for
International Development Cooperation (AECID) organized the exhibition and
co-published the book of the same title together with Ediciones Anómalas.
»In
this work, undoubtedly one of my most personal, I wished to develop without
restraints the intense and exciting relationship – to me a crucial one –
between the image and the word, between photography and literature, always
based on the importance that I as photographer ascribe to the idea of a trace
(opposite to the idea of aura). To explore all of this, I allowed myself to
base [my journey] on the life and work of one of the greatest writers, not only
of Spain, but also of the world literature: Miguel de Cervantes. Surprises and
uncertainty were constantly at the fore. Audacity is not insignificant. «
Photographer
José Manuel Navia (Madrid, 1957) graduated in 1980. His work as a reporter led
him to increasingly personal and sophisticated photography, which nevertheless
remained documentary and in colour. Interested in the narrative power of
photography and its connections to the literature and to the word, he completely
focused on the preparation of the exhibition and book titled Miguel de Cervantes or a Wish to Livebetween 2014 and 2015. Nóstos, a book published together with Ediciones
Anómalas (exhibition that was part of PhotoEspaña
2014), is a continuation of his more personal work that started with Pisadas sonámbulas: lusofonías (La
Fábrica 2001 and 2008).
Besides the above prints, Navia’s work
was also presented in other books and exhibitions, like: Cuenca en la mirada, 2014; Luz
y Sombra, 2014; Un Madrid literario,
2009; Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad,
2008; Antonio Machado, miradas, 2007; La creciente, 2006; Viaje a la Historia, 2005; Territorios del Quijote, 2004; Marruecos, fragmentos de lo cotidiano,
2003; Desde la catedral, 2003; Navia (PhotoBolsillo) 2001. The photographer also has cooperated in
collective exhibitions and anthologies, including: Vu’15 ans; Viaje a Madrid;Saharauis, sólo el desierto; Diez Miradas; 100 fotógrafos españoles; Visiones
de Marruecos; Agence VU’galerie; Photo by Photo and Diccionario de fotógrafos españoles.