Just a few days ago, La Virreina Centre de la Imatge unveiled its new project.
With this new direction comes a change in artistic leadership: from now on, Valentín Roma will take the helm and guide the project.
Valentín Roma was selected through a competitive process to serve as the Centre’s Director for the next two years.
He has announced a shift in the Centre’s philosophy, objectives, and methodology, marking a new chapter from the moment he steps in.
He also offered a preview of some of the upcoming exhibitions and public programs planned for the Centre.
“To equate image with the visual is reductive…”
In his own words: “To equate image with the visual is reductive… After a period focused primarily on exploring photographic culture, we are entering a new phase where we will pay attention to practices that, through film, television, literature, and more, allow us to reflect on the historical evolution and reach of images within certain artistic projects.”
In recent years, La Virreina has become a benchmark for photographic exhibitions, offering an impressive array of photography shows in its galleries.
A few that come to mind: Barcelona Metròpolis, Sophie Calle, Jordi Socias, Objectiu BCN, Kapuscinsky, Martin Parr, Garcia-Alix, and Colita-Ubiña.
It’s no wonder that, for a photography enthusiast like myself, this feels a bit like writing a farewell letter.
Still, I’m confident that even if the programming moves away from its usual focus, La Virreina will continue to feature photography exhibitions.
And if not, we’ll just have to wait two years for them to realize their mistake.
That said, among the upcoming offerings is “People of the 20th Century” by German photographer August Sander—a true classic, which we’ll discuss in more detail soon.
And to continue quoting his words, translated into Spanish:
“We will work from three paradigms:
- Continuity in working formats over one-off events, encouraging the development of knowledge that can become complex, unfold over extended periods, and incorporate diverse, even dissonant, voices.
- Collaboration with those reinventing the public and aesthetic sphere within the city’s context.
- Discursive independence, while also fostering cross-pollination with other concurrent areas of the program.
First things first—I wish I could speak with such creative clarity.
Following these principles, the Centre will host seminars, workshops, courses, and dialogues.
The ground floor of the building will be dedicated to these activities, open to the public.
Now, all that remains is to see how the public responds to such an ambitious artistic proposal.
It’s true that evolution only happens in times of crisis.
So for now, we can turn our attention to Fotocolectania.