LA VIDA ES BELLA, is a series of photographs that explores the notion of embodiment and how we come across these precious humble moments in our everyday lives.
In March 2019, I was fortunate to visit Barcelona for a few days. During my time in Barcelona, I went to Park Güell. I remember vividly, it was a very sunny day. The park itself was busy, filled with tourists, however it was a comfortable busy feeling. Not the sort where everyone is in a rush, everyone seem to appear so calm and quiet. I was surrounded by the sounds of nature, the soft sand-light colours of the architecture that had small bursts of colour from the plants. I remember walking around the park, feeling so relaxed and at peace with nature. As I walked through the park, eventually reach the top, which allowed you to see the most incredible views of the city of Barcelona. You could see the ocean in the distance. At the top of the park, there was a lamppost that had caught my attention, it had a small piece of text written on it, it read: LA VIDA ES BELLA (which translates to: life is beautiful). I remember thinking how appropriately placed the text was. At the highest point of the city, away from technology and social media, you were able to just sit and look and be at peace with nature and begin to see beauty in the natural world. Each photograph in this series has personal reflections and short anecdotes, from myself and others based upon the notion of embodiment. |
At the age of five I was Christened. I've always believed in God, but I am a firm believer in destiny. I think everything happened for a reason. Sometimes we don't immediately know what that reason is, but with time we will know. I'm trying my best to accept the bad things in life and knowing that in a unique way, better things will come from it. God has a plan for all of us, we just need to have faith. |
The main feeling I get from this image is a sense of calm and happiness. When I look at this, I think back to my first holiday with my boyfriend, where plants like this were everywhere. It brings back a true sense of calm and contentment. Seeing a clear blue sky makes me feel like I'm back enjoying spending time and talking with my boyfriend about the future and our lives together -Natasha, 20 |
Seeing this photograph, I remember when I was a child, I would go to Liverpool with my Mum and Nana on the bus. We would get off at the Woodchurch ferry and would walk towards the ferry. If the tide was in, the walkway would be straight but if the tide was out, you would be walking down the ramp.
-Jeffrey, 53 |
I feel very calm, it brings a nice relaxed feeling and makes me feel very much in the moment as walks into nature usually makes me feel. It reminded me of some of the places I visited when I was younger in the Lake District going for walks around the lakes with my family, especially places like Keswick which we always loved visiting, it brings back a nice sense of nostalgia. -Brett, 21 |
When I go for a walk and pass a bench upon my path, are usually take notice to how it is occupied. Sometimes with a couple chatting away, other times it's just empty. Some benches have a plaque that is dedicated to someone. If you think about it benches contain the narrative. This is the first time I've seen a bunch of flowers on a bench it's quite bittersweet really |
I find that this photograph takes me back to family holidays in South Wales. It reminds me of frequent occasions when my family and I would be stuck inside for most of the day because of the rain. However, once the rain stopped, we'd head out to the beach in the late afternoon. We'd all run around, chasing the dog and the seagulls. The afternoon sun would reflect on the water in the most wonderful ways and for a while everything felt right. -Eleanor, 22 |
I think there is something so special about trees. I've always like trees, I think this comes from my childhood, I moved around quite a lot and each house I lived in, I was close to the woods. I remember climbing up trees as a child and then getting stuck because I climbed too high. I also really enjoy autumn because that's when there would be conkers and me and my brother used to go collecting them and then fighting over who had the best conker.
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When I was little, my family and I would go to a country park in Lincolnshire. The sun would always be shining on the walls and looking through the gate into the darkness and beyond, I was apprehensive about going through the gate, but also knowing that down the path would be a beautiful walled garden with peacocks roaming around, and a pond with dragonflies hovering above. - Angela, 44 |