_2.27.20

PHOTOGRAPHIC DESIRES BY AGUSTINA FIORETTI

We talked with Agustina Fioretti, visual artist from Tandil, Argentina, currently based in New York. Her new show ILUSIÓN DEL SUR opens on March 4th at the Consulate General of Argentina in New York, until March 27th.

What is Ilusión del Sur?
What we believe that its there, but it isn’t. A desire.

How was the creative process?
Ilusión del Sur started as a study of my family archive, of colors and gestures. I take classes with Jesu Antuña, who also curated the show, and after discussing and sharing several texts and assignments, I realized I wanted to produce my own work and use the archive as a starting point. It was also a process of experimentation with some “mistakes” with broken cameras or “errors” from the lab that highly contribute to what I was looking for. A sensation of not understanding completely what was happening there.

What type of camera did you use?
A 35mm Praktica that someone once gave me and a 120mm Rolleiflex. I fell in love with the square format, it was my first time using medium format.

You studied economics. How was that professional transition?

I believe is never an easy process. New York offers lot of opportunities but it is also highly competitive. It is always a challenge to create yourself spaces to grow and gain exposure, make your work more visible. Finding funds or financial support is also a huge challenge. Economics to me is a useful tool to develop a research process, think about what I really want to say, who is my audience and what is the effect I might produce, if there is such. I am surrounded by economists so its impossible to scape from that.

A visual note from your hands, your pillow and your favorite thing of today.

What aspect of your work is political?
I talk about nomadism, a history of migration that is personal but also unfamiliar at the same time. Something that belongs to me but also to many other people, specially in Argentina and in New York where everyone has migrated, we are all here for a certain time. I like to think that I have a strong intimacy with a story that after sharing it does’t belong to me anymore and could be from anyone.

Some advice for those looking to study photography in New York?
Find someone that can help you think critically. I was super lucky to find Claudia Sohrens, artist and educator, during my first class at the International Center of Photography (ICP). I always discuss about my practice with her, assist her classes, lectures, workshops. She had and still has a strong impact in my work.

Close your eyes. What is the mirror showing to you?
A yellow flower. A yellow tree. Aromo.

︎ MY LOVE TO DISTORTION BY SHIS UNUSUAL

PHOTOGRAPHIC DESIRES BY AGUSTINA FIORETTI