Archivo Porcontacto

Compilation of 100 black-and-white period photos from the late-20th century study, "Instantáneas Panamericanas" in Cali, Colombia. Photos re- organized by acclaimed Colomban artist, Oscar Muñoz in this publication, "Archivo Porcontacto" in 2003. Features portrait photos of people walking throughout urban Cali. Features analytical texts after the photos, detailing the photographic methodologies. An evocative selection of photographs taken at the Ortiz Bridge of passersby during the decade of the seventies. More than merely being a compilation of photographs, the book is an invitation by Muñoz to anyone wishing to become a participant in the collective memory of Cali, through 'photo-cinema.' Two anecdotal elements determine this book¿s presentation: one is that the photographs were taken by an Olympus Pen camera, and the other is that this particular camera model takes half-frame photos; for every 36 shots, the camera can take 72 frames. The book cover shows the image of the Olympus Pen, and the person who goes through the pages of this book-will find 2 photographs per page, just as one would looking to an original negative. The selected photos are arranged to evidence the small elements and similarities among them, as when, the same face is repeated while the framing of the shot has changed. These photographs prompt the simple and casual gaze of the observer-reader, who is directed toward the persons portrayed in laid-back attitudes wearing clothes from the period. One of Muñoz's intentions is to underscore his interest in the meaning of works by these photo-cinema photographers. Muñoz also registered small stories associated with each work and commented on the changes that occurred throughout the passing of time in each particular urban or human landscape. — F.to: 14,5x10; pagg. 248; BN; rileg. rigida. Editore: Laguna Libros, Bogotà, 2009.