Raíces Selva Oscura, Pigment Prints, 2018

Miguel Winograd  

Raíces Selva Oscura, 2018 by Miguel Winograd. From the Series Bruma. Pigment Prints. Sheet Size: 24 in H x 20 in W. Image size: 23.13 in H x 18.5 in W. Edition of 7. Black and white Edition. Unframed

What began as a pretext to exercise MIguel Wynograd's gaze, little by little became a meditation on different intertwined temporalities. The superposition of very ancient times with dynamic and fleeting cycles: from the geological time of formation of those mountains, through the recurring periods of flowering and decay of plant life, to the immediate oscillation of a climate that oscillates between extremes: all stations in a day, sometimes in an hour or less. And at the same time, traces of many pasts persist in a spectral present. Ghosts. Melancholic friars wandering in the fog. Land of deities and demons.

This striking black-and-white photograph masterfully captures the dense, intricate web of mangrove roots. The vertical composition emphasizes the towering, slender trunks that dominate the frame, creating a sense of both mystery and wonder. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the textural richness of the bark, drawing the viewer's eye along the gnarled surfaces. This monochromatic approach strips the scene to its essential elements, allowing the raw, natural beauty of the mangroves to shine unencumbered by color. The image invokes a feeling of depth, pulling one into the heart of the forest, where the tangle of roots suggests resilience and interconnection. This artwork powerfully encapsulates the complexity and allure of natural ecosystems, inviting contemplation of their enduring mysteries.