An artistic and critical publication about hunting, made by women?
"BESTIAE is the synthesis of the astonishment that characterizes our relationship with the non-human. The perpetual contradiction between the celebration of life and the annihilation of the other. It is a work of espionage in the deepest intimacy of violence. Its texture, its pasty smell and the stealthy howls of anonymous deaths. BESTIAE is, I would say, almost too beautiful for the infamy it portrays." Catia Faria.
Bestiae is an artistic project that has been produced thanks to the Vegap 2017 Proposals help. A work materialized in a video, two sculptural pieces and a photobook.
After a year of exhibition tour through Galicia, Asturias, Madrid and Bavaria, I have seen necessary the publication of the photobook to reach a greater number of people.
The photobook Bestiae proposes an essay in which male domination of the animal is analyzed, and how it relates to gender, art, war and disease.
Starting from a personal fusion between visual poetry and documentary language, the texts of Catia Faria, philosopher, Carmen Dalmau, art historian and Estela Díaz, researcher, complement the work from their different fields of study.
Bestiae, the photobook
"Ruth's capacity for involvement and commitment is only comparable to her openness to exploration. There are photographers who, throughout their career, do not evolve a minimum part of what I have seen Ruth putting into practice by editing this book. Deep down, she was already there." Olmo González.
For the realization of Bestiae I have needed two years in which, during the hunting seasons, I have accompanied different groups of hunters in numerous beats (hunting modalities), as well as alone hunters.
I have been able to live, check and talk with the protagonists first hand, witness in person the legal and illegal mechanisms they use, and thus collect the necessary material to form the photobook.
Bestiae is divided into four parts that, together with the texts, expose and analyze the "ritual" of hunting to take us to an emotional state that will not leave you indifferent.
The photobook comes in two modes, one with the cover without intervention, and another shot with a bullet.
The photobook is in Spanish and English.
"A poetic reading about the violence and dominion we exert over animals and our relationship with nature." Aitor Garmendia - Tras los muros.
Book features
500 copies run.
Measures: 7 x 9,8 inches.
128 pages printed at 4/4 (four-color).
150gr Munken Lynx Rough paper.
Rustic stitched bookbinding with 290 grams Sirio Cherry paper cover, stamped with one color. Dust jacket with 12 cm flaps on 200 grams Olin Regular H.W. printed 4/0.
Texts: Catia Faria, Carmen Dalmau y Estela Díaz.
Design: María Gil.
Edition: Olmo González.
Prepress: La Troupe.
"Finally hunting, that anachronistic and amoral world, questioned in Spanish society and contemporary thinking." Rafael Doctor
Rewards
All rewards are listed on the right side of the screen.
These range from € 10 for those who want to contribute a minimum, € 22 the photobook without intervention and € 28 intervened. The maximum reward is € 500 where, along with the photobook intervened, a framed photograph is acquired.
The retail price of the photobook outside Verkami will be € 30 without intervention and € 38 intervened.
The photobook can be obtained with texts in English and sent to the European Union.
If you want an international reward outside the European Union write to ruthariass@gmail.com
Something about me
My name is Ruth Montiel Arias and I am from a small Galician town, although I move around Madrid a lot.
I work through art and activism trying to combine these tricky ways of life, that keep me alert to generate dialogue and awareness towards issues of vital importance such as animal and environmental issues.
Since 2010 the work has taken me to Peru, Argentina, Germany, Palestine, South Africa and China. Also to Madrid, Galicia, Asturias, Castilla la Mancha and the Basque Country, places where I have been able to share and reflect on our role in the world.
Bestiae addresses a social problem as complex as hunting, on which it is necessary to work from research and the humanities. That is why I believe without any doubt that it deserves to be published, and for that I need your help.
In what will I use your contributions?
80% will go to the printing of Bestiae.
10% will go to the crowdfunding campaign.
If the requested target is exceeded, it will be used to cover translation, design and distribution expenses. Once covered, if there is still some contribution left, this would be allocated to copyright costs.
When will *Bestiae be ready?
The photobook is scheduled for printing the fourth week of April, so the rewards will be received at the end of May.
More information
Instagram: @ruthmontielarias
Vimeo: ruthmontielarias
22 comments
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Ruth Montiel Arias
Author
¡¡Carmen, un millón de gracias!!💜💜
Carmen Tomé
Ánimo y enhorabuena mi chica!! Perdón por hacerlo a última hora. Voy tan al límite que no he podido encargarme antes. Te deseo lo mejor, que es lo que tú ofreces 💜
Ruth Montiel Arias
Author
¡Muchísimas gracias por tu apoyo y por tus ánimos, Irma! Bestiae será una realidad gracias a todos/as vosotras/os.
Ruth Montiel Arias
Author
Maria, claro!! De todos modos al terminar os escribiré a todas para pediros dirección y nombre con el que queréis figurar en los agradecimientos.
¡Muchísimas gracias por vuestro apoyo!
Irma Pallarol Gràcia
Ánimo!! Ya queda menos
Maria
Puedes poner otro nombre en el libro? Es @lesveganbilbao
Ruth Montiel Arias
Author
¡Muchísimas gracias, Germán!
Germán Torres
Aportación hecha! Suerte!
Ruth Montiel Arias
Author
¡Muchísimas gracias a ti por el apoyo!
emedemo
¡Gracias y mucha suerte!