Agony in the Garden published by Dalpine is the second monograph by Magnum Photographer, Lúa Ribeira, created in her native country of Spain between 2021 to 2023 in the peripheries of Madrid, Málaga, Granada and Almería.
Through its dystopian and at times absurd atmosphere, Agony in the Garden reflects on a range of global socio-political issues through the contemporary lens of hedonistic counter-cultural movements. Modern-day insignia such as Nike trainers, fast food restaurants and modern cars are distilled and toned down by the arid settings which form biblical backdrops. A visceral feeling of uncertainty permeates throughout the work conjured by the decaying landscapes made on the edges of greenhouse cultivation in Almeria, whilst Ribeira’s inclusion of religious motifs and imagery continually nod towards more universal themes and a suspension of temporality. Underpinning all of this is a sense of tragedy and rootlessness, countered only by the energetic vibrancy of the youthful bodies that parade through the photographs.
“Over the past decade, I’ve been inspired by the ways younger generations articulate themselves—through expressions, images and gestures that are increasingly global and acutely attuned to the alienation of our times. In a world marked by material excess, digital acceleration, overlapping financial, migratory, and ecological crises, there are certain symbols and aesthetics that echo across geographies—expressing in different ways something about contemporary violence. These movements are often framed as subcultural by the media, photojournalism, and conventional documentary practices. Yet, it is precisely these frameworks that I seek to resist, choosing instead to read between the lines and accept more complex and fragile narratives.” Lúa Ribeira
Lúa Ribeira : Agony in the Garden
Photography and text Lúa Ribeira
Publisher Dalpine
Format Hardcover with tipped-in image
Book design Tipode Office
Pages 64
Dimensions 28 x 37cm
Languages English
ISBN 978-84-09-74386-5
Price £45
https://www.dalpine.com/en-us
