In this exhibition Galicia Tourism presents a vision of the French Way and the city of Santiago de Compostela created by the German photographer Silvia Steinbach. There are 53 photographs that speak with a very personal style about the historic landscapes of the main pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela. A very important element of this exhibition is the presence of photographs of streets and squares from the city of the apostle and the Jacobean basilica, represented through nocturnal shots of urban areas and the most unique architecture; and photographs of pilgrims who on reaching Praza do Obradoiro enter the cathedral to discover the naves, chapels and images of what is the principle religious building on the Way of St. James.
The French Way and the city of Santiago de Compostela have been the pretext for an exhibition that covers different natural and cultural areas. The artist Silvia Steinbach tries, through the collection of snapshots, to compose a diverse narrative of the experience of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
The capturing of the atmosphere that defines the historical areas along the Way and the encounters and departures that often occur on the pilgrimage, the supportive vision of the photographer of monuments and nature, the respect shown for history that is masterfully revealed through the carved stones, and the intimate meanings of the photographed spaces at times bring to mind the working methods of the classics of the eighth art, such as Man Ray, Eugène Atget and Ansel Adams.
Photography is a peculiar and wonderful form of writing that uses light and reality itself as its raw materials. It is also a painless way to hunt, to capture the essence of people and things.
Many ethnic groups and peoples around the world share the superstition that they lose part of their soul when they are photographed, this being transferred and trapped inside the image. This fear is logical since the image remains even if the person or thing it depicts disappears. This can prove disturbing.
However, when viewing the images of Silvia Steinbach one experiences a certain meditation and peace of mind; they are moving but not disturbing. Her photographs are magical objects that represent essential moments of the Way as a unique space for learning through living.
Venue: Casa del Peregrino
Address: Calle Virgen de Guía. Villanueva del Duque. Cordoba
Dates: from 22 June to 15 July
Visiting hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm – 10:30pm. Sundays from 11am – 2pm
Organised by: Association of Friends of the Way of St. James in Cordoba and Villanueva del Duque Town Council
With the collaboration of: S.A. de Xestión do Plan Xacobeo. Galicia Tourism