The ocean beaches have always fascinated me. They are timeless. Like the photos in black and white that my father took of us on the beach with the “RolleiFlex”. It Reminds me of the chairs around the table ready for the meal under the umbrella shade. The coolers filled with delicious snacks, always accompanied by the ordeal that followed. The endless hours of digestion before we could return to the water.
The unprotected bodies exposed to the sun. The bathing suits, the “fruit or chocolate” ice cream cone, the cries of “Ervilha” (Pea) the man who sold the bolas de Berlin, the red mattress, the blue flippers that I so much loved, the sand castles and the orange made refreshments.
We all share in some way – and usually in the same season – this affective relationship with the beach. During the holidays, the week –end, at sunrise or at the end of the day. And it was about this relationship, like mine, that I decided to focus on my experiences and “tackle” this project.
This was a three-year project, 2012, 2013 and 2014, in various stages. In beaches from the north to the south. What brings us to the beach today is the same that brought us to it 10, 20, 30 years ago? Or last summer? What changes over time? The behaviors and habits? Fashions and poses? The bodies and gestures? Reflecting the “being Portuguese” on the beach? Does “being Portuguese” on the beach exist?
I sought to photographically answer these and other questions.
“I’m hot. My feet are soaked in the salt water and the idea that I have in hand, is overheating me yet encouraging me. I cool down.”(Rejuvenate?)
And so I headed to the beach with a photo camera.
And here is a small catalogue of the large number of images captured.
Flávio Andrade
Note: Publication of the project in book, for this year, briefly.
