In 2010 Victor was asked by the Library of the International Center of Photography to help them develop their Latin American photobooks collection.

International Center of Photography –New York,October 25–November 25, 2010

Project curator and designer:Victor Sira

Venezuelan Photo Books and Catalogues

The goal of “Venezuelan Photo Books and Catalogues” is to explore the works and ideas that have motivated Venezuelan photo books publications. For decades Latin America, stretching from Argentina to Mexico, has been producing a very unique form of graphic design and photographic expression. This first exhibition on Latin American photo books at the ICP Library brings together some of the most important examples of Photo books and catalogues from Venezuela. The exhibition includes publications like “La Margarita” by Alfredo Boulton, “Retromundo” by Paolo Gasparini, “Dejaste Atrás Lo Lejano” by Christian Belpaire, “Fotosecuencias” by Thea Segall as well as various catalogues and periodicals including the magazine Extra Camara.

Venezuela appears in the world map of design in the 60’s, but is not until the 70’s that Venezuelan designers started winning numerous major international book awards. From this period the central figure was and still is Álvaro Sotillo. No one in Venezuela and very few in Latin America has been able to match the fine design, detail, density, saturation, intellect and trickery of his books. “Retromundo” is the perfect example of his complexity, with the decisive participation of the photography of Paolo Gasparini. He was obsessed with the idea of revealing two universes–one juxtaposed and divided, the other static and razor-sharp. Sotillo’s books would not be possible without the intimate collaboration of his printer Javier Aizpurua. This printer was the one who found solutions for the technological challenges; the one who bent materials and spent hours to accomplish each project.

The field of Latin American photo books is largely unknown, and we are fortunate to see these books that yield new information on the period and the society in which they were created, giving us a glimpse at that particular society’s hopes and disappointments.  The work that has been involved in choosing and grouping these books has been intensely personal, the subject is a complex one and each curator is able to add their own slant to the general understanding of the subject.