Leica Gallery Mexico City proudly presents the exhibition Cinematic Deserts, the first photographic exhibition by filmmakers Daniel Anguiano and Santiago Arriaga.
Both filmmakers bring their cinematic vision to their photography, capturing images that could be stills from a film they have yet to shoot. In his series Hidrocarburo, created in Coahuila and the United States, Arriaga affirms his visual interests in the theme of the desert, a symbol with which he has a personal, familial, and narrative connection. With a gaze that pays homage to filmmakers who photograph, such as Wim Wenders and the deadpan aesthetic of Stephen Shore, Arriaga's photographic explorations stand as a tribute to a visual culture that seamlessly transitions from still images to moving images.
The exhibition showcases the series Elogio de Luz y Sombra by cinematographer and director Daniel Anguiano, where he depicts another type of desert, that of alienation occurring in contemporary Japan, reflecting the personal isolation present in industrialized modernity. Anguiano demonstrates complete control over the aesthetics of the Leica M system, capturing complex moments with the unique atmosphere of this manual control device. His technical mastery with the Leica is just one element of Anguiano's work, as his images are more than mere examples of virtuosity. His photographs reveal specific aspects of the human condition during this period of late capitalism in a post-industrial society, with an atmosphere that only the Leica optics can provide.
Daniel Anguiano, Mexican filmmaker and photographer.
A graduate in film from the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and specialized in cinematography at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, Daniel has directed photography in a variety of projects, ranging from independent productions to collaborations with major studios such as Disney, Videocine, HBO MAX, and VIX.
Outside the set, Daniel nurtures his passion for photography, exploring personal and everyday themes through his lens. He considers photography not only as an artistic medium but also as a tool to express his unique vision of the world and capture significant moments with emotional depth. Anguiano is an expert user of the Leica M-P (Type 240) and Leica M11-P, cameras with which he created the images for this exhibition.
Santiago Arriaga, Mexican director and producer from Mexico City.
His narrative work, co-directed with his sister Mariana, has been chosen by the Mexican Academy of Film, the Ariel Awards, to compete in the Best Short Film category twice. His latest film, "Upon Open Sky," produced in collaboration with K&S Films, the same production company behind the Oscar-nominated film "Wild Tales" and "El Clan," had its world premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival and subsequently at the Toronto Film Festival, Busan Film Festival, and Morelia Film Festival, and received four Ariel nominations.
Santiago’s photographic work is deeply personal and allows him to see the world from a unique perspective. Keeping a camera close encourages him to think differently about his surroundings, helping him to appreciate details he might otherwise overlook and to discover places he might not have noticed.
Cinematic Deserts will open on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 5 PM, at Leica Gallery Mexico City, located at Avenida Presidente Masaryk 422B, Polanco, CDMX.
Leica Gallery Mexico City
Avenida Presidente Masaryk No. 422-B
11550 Mexico City,
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Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm
Complementary valet parking is available.