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Documenting a culture can be a daunting process, especially when it involves a history of conquest and colonialism. Synthesizing such a complex and traumatic past in a contemporary narrative is a formidable task, requiring extensive research and dedicated planning. This is the back story to today’s podcast.

Above photograph © Juan Brenner

For the seventh chapter in our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Guatemalan photographer Juan Brenner about his recent projects in the country’s Western Highlands.

Our chat begins with Brenner’s introduction to photography as a youth, and the protective bubble surrounding him during the country’s brutal civil war. He left Guatemala at age 20 to forge a career as a fashion photographer in New York, which filters into our discussions about portraiture and photo gear.

But our primary focus is on Brenner’s recent personal projects, created after his return to Guatemala, and an epiphany he had about the idea of “Indigenous Power.”

Listen in as he describes how this concept was subsequently called into question. You’ll gain insight into the unequal power quotient that comes with being a “Mickey Mouse” photographer and discover how critical aspects of communication extend well beyond the basic structure of language.

As Brenner notes during our chat, “You have to be really careful just being a photographer. It's so colonialist, you know, having a camera. You have this big robot that you stick in people's faces. You have this advantage. And, for me, it's really important to think about that a lot.”

If you haven’t already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/p/picturing-world-cultures

Guest: Juan Brenner

For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-juan-brenner-guatemala


Stay Connected:

Juan Brenner Website: https://www.juanbrenner.com

Juan Brenner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juan_brenner

Juan Brenner Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JuanBrenner5/

Artist talk with Juan Brenner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPiwQXWUMJ8&t=40s

Juan Brenner’s book Tonatiuh: https://editorialrm.com/en/producto/tonatiuh/

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Picturing World Cultures: Juan Brenner - Guatemala

"Non électrique / électrique"
Création sonore co-réalisée avec Estelle Ribeyre lors du Vivier 2024.

Photographie : Électricité statique, par Candice Hazouard
A partir d'une pellicule de 1975, exposée avec Estelle Ribeyre, développée par Grainyroll.

Vivier 2024 est une résidence annuelle de création pluridisciplinaire proposée par les Ateliers du vent. 
En 2024, Vivier s’est déroulé du 5 au 8 novembre. Les dix artistes invités lors de cette édition sont : Mitch Fournial, Anna Holveck, Morvandiau, Vincent Raude, Estelle Ribeyre, Cécile Cayrel, Mehdi Kezakos, Camille Riquier, Varvara Pomidor et Candice Hazouard.

coxypy.fr/2024/11/10/vivier/

Non électrique / électrique

The B&H Photography Podcast: Join us every other week for a conversation with insightful and entertaining guests. From gear and technique to history, science and art, we discuss the issues most important to the contemporary photographer.

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