Jonathan Alpeyrie

CUBA EMBARGO

As its title could suggest, the «Cuba Embargo» series was shot in several cities and territories around Cuba during a specific occasion. The photographer aimed to portray the current situation on the Island due to the recent increased US-led embargo.
With a recurrent play with lighting while adding subtle little details, this series aims to show the resilience within an old-world and deteriorating environment surrounded by shadows. «Cuba Embargo» shows the Cuban people cradled between their traditions – born out of Spanish colonialism – and their more recent Communist path. What emerges from the photographs is a community being launched into a globalized future, which tends to suffocate deeply rooted historical traditions. The original plan was not to show pure poverty through an impoverished population, but rather capturing signs of strength and historical backbone. This approach remained – though diminished – relevant in the face of decades of political contest with the powerful Northern neighbour, with pictures meant to represent an uncertain future.
The photographer leaves us with a question: “Will Cuba be able to reunite the new with the old, and create a violable future for their coming generations?”. The answer is still open.

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THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Jonathan Alpeyrie is a French photographer whose career developed in pursuit of the great human experience through its failures and success. To him, photography means to grasp historical moments and bring them back to the public: from wars to civil strife, he explores the darker sides and its bright lights. Over the years, his photography has changed favouring a more classical way to frame his photographs while using “traditional” lenses. This approach redefined his way of compositing and constructing pictures entirely, showing new perspectives and new ways of observing.
His current project, which he started last year and will continue for the next two, deals with the current drug war in South America. After spending months exploring Brazil, he is now focusing on Ecuador and Colombia.

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