La volta al Mont

What's it all about?

This crowdfunding project aims to raise the necessary funding (design + printing) to publish 100 copies of the photobook ‘La volta al Mont’. The book contains 60 black and white photographs of the landscapes around the Mont massif and its sanctuary, often taken from unusual places or points of view. It is a project carried out with analogue film, specifically the Rollei Retro 400S, during the last months of 2023 and the whole of 2024.

In this page you can buy the book, and/or a T-shirt, and/or a choice of prints on quality paper and/or a wallpaper for your mobile phone. Oh, and if you wish, you can also book a photo tour for one or two people.

The project

The Mont massif dominates the Empordà plain, the Pla de l’Estany and much of the Garrotxa region. Thousands of people have it as a religious reference, a scenic viewpoint or a sports challenge to achieve ... or all together. For my part, the push to carry out this work was given to me by the people of Lladó who made me see the importance, not only religious, but also social and festive, of the singular act that represents their annual rumination at the sanctuary. Later, and in the face of certain attacks that threaten the territory, I felt the need to graphically preserve these landscapes.

Artworks centered on a mountain have their origin in Katsushika Hokusai's “The 36 Views of Mount Fuji”, a seminal work produced between 1826 and 1833. Since then several authors have covered, expanded or deepened on this topic. I understand that '36 views' is not an exact number, rather it is an idea or a leitmotiv on which to express oneself.

My work aims to show the land and the unique landscapes that surround the Mount, often from little visited places or with uncommon points of view. Images expressly avoid human presence. Without this presence, things can become things (wood is wood and field is field...) and they are not subordinated to the use made by human beings. Wanting to capture the human presence would be the reason for another work.

On the other hand, this creative and research process I wanted to live and perform using analog photography because it allowed me a slower and more reflective approach to the subject. Photographing in analog also has a risk point where I find myself comfortable. Work done in black and white, where the images want to show the essence of what we see. For me, black and white would be like people's skin and color the clothes we cover it with. This is my choice: 60 “naked” images -metaphorically speaking- around the Mount.

What will the money collected be used for?

The money collected will be used to cover the expenses of the design of the book, the printing of 100 copies and to cover the costs of rewards and shipments. If the requested amount is exceeded, the number of copies of the edition would be increased.

Timing

The book will enter the design phase at the beginning of February and I plan that it can be sent around Sant Jordi on 23th April . It would be a good gift for the patrons!

The book design

The book is being designed by La Bibliogràfica by Ignasi López, a book workshop with international awards. The book will have neither beginning nor end, it will be circular in order to be able to turn it around itself (as the Mont is). No cover. Size: 12 x 18 cm vertical, approximately as a postcard. 60 pages. The paper will be the 300g Arena Natural Rough. B/N INDIGO HP Printing. With metal spiral. With and envelope or box.

Exclusive rewards

Beyond the campaign the book will cost 24€. During the 30 days Verkami campaing it will have a very special price. The first 15 people who purchase the book will have a discount of 3€ off the general price during the campaign. Likewise, those who decide to purchase the book pack and exclusive t-shirt will enjoy a discount of 4€ on the price marked in the campaign, this being the best option (best value!).

All backers will be part of a list that will be published in the book itself and/or in joansorolla.cat to thank them and distinguish their collaboration.

Who am I?

My name is Joan Sorolla (he). Teacher of social sciences in secondary education and lifelong photographer, for a long time professional and since then amateur. This is my fourth photobook. I have made several individual exhibitions (Barcelona, Ceret, Portbou, Mataró, La Roca del Vallès, Granollers...), I have participated in a good number of collectives (New York, Ceret, Perpignan, Barcelona, El Port de la Selva, Colera...) as well as in several festivals (Festimatge Calella, FineArt Igualada, Off 2019 Perpignan).

Images of the collective exhibition at the Aperture Gallery of NYC

Web and networks

You can see my work In the following places:
www.joansorolla.cat
www.instagram.com/joansorolla2
www.facebook.com/ joan.sorolla.3

How do I understand photography?

Explaining stories, raising questions and generating concerns are the nodes of my photographs in recent years. A time that has brought me back to analog photography and a certain conceptualism. My work focuses especially on the markers of human action on the territory and memory. I try to make each image I publish meaningful in its own right. Inevitably, however, these photographs end up being associated with others, sometimes in small series or also forming larger ones. I proudly define myself as an amateur photographer. Not being a professional gives me freedom. I defend the social role of the photographer, linked to his community, leaving testimony of his time and his immediate environment. Photography does not show us reality, but A reality.

MULTIMEDIA

Blog entry on Disparafilm Blog
Interview on Banyoles TV
Interview on Radio Vilafant - in Catalan