Albarrán Cabrera’s poetic universe invites us to immerse ourselves in nature, in the land of trees and on what trees can teach us about life.
The idea for the book comes from a text written by Hermann Hesse that can be described as one of the most beautiful love letters to trees. Hesse tells us that “when we listen to trees, we discover the meaning of life”, so in this book Albarrán Cabrera explain that by shooting trees they have learnt not only how to listen to them but also to better understand themselves.
The images alternate between a palette of vivid colours, bordering on abstraction, and more monochrome tones, evoking a certain melancholy, plunging us into timeless landscapes. The result is a dreamlike, almost surreal world, unique to the Spanish duo. Far from idealizing nature, the photographers aim to magnify what already exists, quoting their words: “We believe that to be human is to understand nature not just as it really is, but also as we perceive it. If we are alert and observant, we will be able to understand it from these two standpoints. As if we are both seeing and been seen.”
Two texts by German novelist, poet and painter Hermann Hesse are included here, plus a text by Yves Darricau, agricultural engineer and author, which tells the story of the relationship between man and trees, from prehistoric times to the present day. Darricau talks about how each has contributed to the development of the other in a relationship of interdependence that is now under threat, making us all aware of the importance of trees in the face of the challenges of our century.
First Edition, English Language. Published by Atelier EXB.