008 ☼ Daniela Villarreal - Seeing Is Everything
A Photographic Exploration with the Seri Community, and more.
Process Projected
New Exhibition:
Seeing Is Everything
Daniela Villarreal
May 7 - May 20
Dear friends,
We are back with the eight installment of the Process Projected exhibition series, the wonderful folk photography of Daniela Villarreal. This is the first time Daniela’s work has been shown in Europe, but I can guarantee you it won’t be the last.
Daniela and I originally met in Mexico City in the spring of 2019 when we went for a photo walk with a number of other photographers. At the end of that walk I handed her her first roll of Portra as a small token of my appreciation. We kept in touch and a few years later Daniela co-founded a film lab and exhibition space in Monterey, all while developing her photographic practice and creating beautiful work of her own.
A few years ago, Daniela conceptualized and hosted the "Seeing is Everything" photography workshop. It transcended traditional notions of the art form, shifting focus from the camera to the human eye. In this workshop, children embarked on a creative journey during which the camera became secondary to their own eyes as they explored the power and intricacy of human vision.
Through a series of engaging activities and games, young participants were encouraged to imagine, compose, and translate their visions onto paper. By drawing analogies between the camera and the human eye, the workshop fostered a deeper understanding of the incredible capabilities of our eyes.
In September 2022, Villarreal brought this innovative workshop to the indigenous Seri community of Punta Chueca, Sonora, Mexico. Known for their deep connection to fishing, hunting, and gathering, the Seri people have preserved their cultural identity for centuries. Their resilience is evident in their continuous efforts to protect their land, resources, and traditions amidst the pressures of modernity.
Over four immersive days, Villarreal not only guided the workshop but also documented the Seri community, capturing their rituals and landscapes through the lens of her film cameras. The resulting photographs serve as a powerful testament to the beauty and significance of the Seri culture and underscore the importance of nurturing our own unique perspectives in understanding the world around us.
Through the "Seeing is Everything" workshop and the captivating images that emerged from her time with the Seri community, Daniela Villarreal invites us to celebrate the incredible power of human vision and the diverse stories that unfold when we truly learn to see.
Let me know if you pop by the gallery, I might be there or nearby.
Wesley Verhoeve, curator
Process Projected at What Is Happening Here Gallery
Reguliersdwarsstraat 73, Amsterdam
Opening Times: Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon until 6pm
Upcoming Exhibition
Each installment of Process Projected is shown for two weeks.
009 — Spotters
Sinna Nasseri
May 21 - June 3
You can expect the best emerging and established photographers to share new work here first. Suppose you can’t visit the exhibitions in person at the gallery. In that case, this newsletter can serve as your long-distance art friend letting you know about all the compelling and socially involved narratives worth digging into.
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About The Artist
33-year-old Daniela Villarreal, a talented photographer from Monterrey, Mexico, has carved a distinct niche for herself in the world of photography. With a strong educational background from the Ansel Adams American School of Photography, she has been honing her craft and making significant strides in the industry.
In 2021, her portrait work earned her recognition from the Latin American Photography Foundation (LAP Foundation). Her captivating photographs have been showcased in various exhibitions across Latin America, including PARAC, a prestigious contemporary art program based at the Monterrey Museum of Contemporary Art. She was also selected for Radio 28, a creative studios residency program in Mexico City in 2022.
Daniela's work has been displayed in renowned galleries and museums, including MARCO, Aparador Aldama, NUUN Oaxaca, Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey, and FAMA, among others. Currently, she is represented by Daniela Elbahara Galeria in Mexico City's Condesa neighborhood.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Villarreal is the founder and creative director of Bengala, an analog photography laboratory in Monterrey. She is also a dedicated photography educator and speaker, hosting workshops across the country and fostering a passion for the art form in aspiring photographers.
Follow along with Daniela here.
About The Curator
Wesley Verhoeve is an Amsterdam-based photographer and curator.
His photography has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, National Geographic, the Washington Post, Wired, and many other publications.
As a curator, Wesley was responsible for 96 exhibits at the International Center of Photography in New York City, highlighting the works of over three hundred photographers from across fifty countries. Previous to ICP, Wesley served as the first curator-at-large for WeTransfer, curating works by over six hundred visual creatives.
Wesley Verhoeve also publishes Process, a weekly newsletter dedicated to photography and discovering one's voice. It was the first photography newsletter published on the Substack platform with over 10,000 subscribers.