Fundació Ser.Gi organizes "where sexist violence lives" at the Cloister of Mercè in Girona

From November 4 to 27, 2022, the temporary exhibition of photography by Joan Aureli Martí Boigues (Simat de Valldigna, 1969) Where sexist violence dwells will be held in the Cloister of the La Mèrcè Cultural Center in Girona.

The inauguration was organized by the Girona SER.GI Foundation with the collaboration of the Girona City Council, the Catalan Agency for Cooperation and Development, the Generalitat de Catalunya, and the companies Marc 3, Stein, Alchimia Solidària and Bonart Cultural, SL This exhibition consists of a total of 15 black and white photographs taken by Joan Aureli Martí with texts by: Anna Puig Cantarero, Bàrbara Julbe i Sallés, Carme Vinyoles Casas, Imma Merino Serrat, Isabel Pascual i Sardó, Laura Fanals Gubau, M. Lluïsa Faxedas Brujats, Ma Dolors Reig Garganta, Maria Mercè Roca i Perich, Mariàngela Vilallonga i Vives, Mercè Saurina Clavaguera, Núria Astorch Flavià, Núria Esponellà i Puiggermanal, Núria Martí Constans and Rosa Gil i Vilà. In parallel with this exhibition, a concert against gender violence has been organized on November 24 this year at 7:00 pm in the Auditori de la Mercè in Girona by three female singers who are: Mireia Vilalta , Nuri Thunder and Namina.

Interview with Joan Aureli Martí.

Bonart (BA).- How did the idea of doing this exhibition come about?

Joan Aureli Martí (JA).- Based on an assignment that the SER.GI Foundation gave me directly. From there I got in touch with two feminist collectives in the city, Hèkates and Malapècora, and with some of my friends and acquaintances. With all this material that I collected I built with the SER.GI Foundation my individual exhibition of photographs.

Unfortunately, since there are so many types of male violence, I had to make a careful selection of the different themes that I have covered in this exhibition.

BA.- Could you tell us what subject you have chosen...

Especially female survivors with protected apartments, returning home at night after work, the issue of psychological harassment, the wage gap, the flight of women after abuse, the dictatorship of aesthetics and the objectification of women , the time of the complaints to the police commissioner, the issue of the gap in the world of sport (I portrayed a group of girls who were training at the Gerunda Fútbol Club), the women who live badly in the street, etc. ..

BA.- Where did it start? What was the first photograph?

I met a girl alone walking at night on a street in the Old Quarter of Girona. From there I met with different women's groups. I must admit that it was very complicated to coordinate the agenda with them to portray them.

BA.- How long did it take you to make this exhibition?

I started in January 2022 until the end of June 2022. Approximately six months in total.

BA.-All the photographs are taken in black and white...

Yes, I decided to make them in black and white because I think that the theme of black and white fits better with this tough subject that I was dealing with. Ultimately, I didn't want to add color to such a dark subject as male violence. And it must be said that the main objective of this exhibition is to spread the word and reach as many people as possible.

The fifteen photographs measure 60 x 40 cm and are taken and edited with a reflex camera. I usually work with this technique but also with an analog camera.

BA.-Tell us a little about your professional career...

The first important exhibition I did was the one I held 1-0 at Col·legi Verd and that I inaugurated on October 1, 2018 at the same La Mercè Cutural Center. It was possible to travel throughout Catalonia, the Basque Country and Scotland. It should be noted that I had done photojournalism before, especially all the movements of the process, the AP-7 demonstrations, etc... Another important exhibition that I inaugurated was the one in April 2021 on the subject of the pandemic titled "The most intense year of our lives" at the Girona History Museum (Carbonera).

BA- What has the production of this exhibition represented for you?

For me, all this time has been a continuous learning of living first-hand the issue of gender violence.

On the other hand, I am very excited that the SER.GI Foundation has prepared support material for the childcare. During the course of the exhibition, several school visits have been scheduled to primary and secondary students from different schools in the city of Girona.

BA.- Each image is accompanied by a text...

Yes, I was very moved reading the fifteen texts of the women protagonists of my photographs, such as that of Bárbara Julbe, writer and journalist, who says: "women survivors of sexist violence find protection and 'hostage necessary to continue seeing the future in his life. A hope that is clothed in a home that becomes spaces of respite and recovery. Not being alone".

BA.- Will this exhibition be traveling?

Yes, since once it finishes at the Claustre de la Mercè it will then move to Salt, Lloret de Mar, La Bisbal d'Empordà, Santa Coloma de Farners and Figueres. I would very much like it to also move to the Ateneo on June 24, as I am a member, but the exact dates have yet to be confirmed.

The exhibition can be visited during the usual hours of the Cloister of Mercy in Girona from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at night. It will be closed on weekends.