“Malparaíso is an imaginary place, an Eden already lost…” – Juan Miguel Ramírez-Suassi
“Malparaiso” the third monograph by Juan Miguel Ramírez-Suassi, is an enigmatic portrait of a paradise that never was.
For many practitioners, documentary photography has been regarded as a tool to convey reality, but for others, it’s a means for more creative, interpretive expression. Such is the case for Spanish photographer Juan Miguel Ramírez-Suassi, whose third monograph, “Malparaiso” (published by Setanta), is his most enigmatic yet.
The images were captured during trips around Mexico and Chile. The name, derived from Chile’s city of Valparaiso, is also likely a nod to the book of the same name by the great Sergio Larrain, who possessed a deep interest in mysticism which ultimately led him to give up photography, and who is quoted at the start of the book. Yet, “Malparaiso” does not depict a real place, but one of fantasy, an idealized version of a lost utopia, as reflected in its name, which in Spanish translates as ‘bad paradise.’
In his description, Ramírez-Suassi says, “Space is a labyrinth,” and that is at the core of the book’s structure, or lack thereof. He adopts an offbeat approach that follows no obvious order, chronological or otherwise, exploring the idea that navigation involves following a complex, intricate network of paths, each of which leads to others, thus creating a never-ending journey of exploration.
Fragments of landscapes, both natural and man-made, are interspersed with images of people. Often shot at close range, punctuated with symbolism, framed in unusual ways, or left out of focus, at times, they create a sense of claustrophobia while making the viewer feel as though they are seeing but part of the scene, thereby adding a sense of unease.
Describing the imagery as seeming like ‘pieces of a dream’ may seem obvious, but in this case, it is entirely fitting. We encounter real scenes and people, yet they are portrayed in a way that feels somewhat otherworldly. Despite the sense of foreboding, it is not a nightmare. This is something far more nuanced, more elusive.
“Malparaiso” emerged from a journey to explore the classic motif of paradise. A utopian vision which stands in stark contrast to the themes of racism, identity, migration, environmental degradation, violence, and precariousness that Ramírez-Suassi says connects the images. Yet, while he also acknowledges that the images suggest ‘rage and pain’, there are also subtle yet tangible elements that evoke a more positive aspect of our complex reality: beauty, hope, and humanity.
“Malparaiso” is, therefore, something remarkable—a portrait of an imaginary place that is both esoteric and captivating, revealing itself differently through the eyes of each viewer. Yet at the same time, for the author at least, it serves as a fitting document of the tumultuous, dying, yet still beautiful and captivating world in which we live.
All images © Juan Miguel Ramírez-Suassi
Malparaiso is published by Setanta and is available via their website.