Juana and the Structures of Reverie is the story of a woman who invents her freedom by creating an imaginary architecture made of light, scraps of memory, hopes and dreams – a permeable architecture where nothing is confined.
It is dedicated to Juana La Loca, the supposed ‘mad’ queen of Spain in the 16th century who, for political motives, was imprisoned for 46 years by her father, husband, and son in an architecture of darkness and stone in which she died broken and alone.
Josephine Sacabo explains, “The figure of Juana la Loca is one who has for years fascinated me. Last year in Mexico, I was taken by a friend to a ruined hacienda called Jaral De Berrio. I felt as if I had walked into another dimension altogether, and yet a familiar one. I wanted to construct a sort of “memory palace” made up of all the rooms and details of this magical place. I decided to construct an alternative scenario for Juana – a structure of reverie in which she could be free. It is my gift to her and an expression of my faith in the power of the imagination. The images are 11×14” wet collodion tintypes which are a real challenge in the darkroom. It’s probably taken years off my life. But I am really satisfied and happy with the results.”
Sacabo divides her time between New Orleans and Mexico. Both places inform her work, resulting in imagery that is as dreamlike, surreal, and romantic as the places that she calls home.
EXHIBITION
Josephine Sacabo: Juana and the Structures of Reverie
From November 12th, 2015 to January 30th, 2016
A Gallery For Fine Photography
241 Charles Street
New Orleans
USA
http://www.agallery.com
http://josephinesacabo.com
