Look, photograph, exhibit!

The '¡Mira, fotografia, exposa!' project, promoted by the Foto Colectania Foundation and Think Human Fund (founded in 2020 by Concentrix) with the collaboration of A Bao A Qu , has brought photography as a tool of expression in the hands of more than 80 teenagers from vulnerable environments in Barcelona. From the Raval to Besòs-Maresme, passing through the North Zone, this program has given voice to young people through images that not only reflect their city, but also their longings and concerns.

For three years, these young people, aged between 15 and 19, have taken part in photographic creation workshops led by renowned professionals such as Consuelo Bautista , Eugeni Gay , Tanit Plana and Mònica Roselló . In this educational environment, they have learned to use photography not only as an artistic medium, but as a gateway to new professional and personal opportunities. This process now culminates in a collective exhibition that can be seen until November 4 at the Pati Llimona Civic Center.

'Look, photograph, exhibit!' it is the result of a transformative process, where the image becomes a tool for connecting with the environment and a platform for building one's own narratives. With more than 140 images captured by the participants in the last edition of the program, the exhibition is a window into the urban life of Barcelona, seen through the eyes of these young people.

Mònica Rosselló i les alumnes del taller de la zona Besòs.

The workshops, developed with a participatory methodology, have allowed the young people not only to learn photographic techniques, but also to be an active part in the process of creating the exhibition, from the selection of the images to the final assembly. This program, which has involved more than 86 agents from socio-educational entities, institutes and cultural technicians from Barcelona City Council, has been a bridge for many of these young people towards a new way of understanding their environment and their possibilities

It is also worth highlighting the contribution of A Bao A Qu, which was created in 2004 as a cultural entity, working to bring art and culture closer to children and young people from various social and territorial contexts, with special attention to those who come from from more disadvantaged areas. In addition, A Bao A Qu promotes innovation in the educational field through art and creation, promoting access to projects that, like this one, open up new perspectives and possibilities through creative expression.

The teachers involved and who have closely followed the progress of the participants, emphasize that the project has made them acquire "a new vision of the world through the camera, discovering the beauty of their surroundings and the stories hidden behind every corner of the city". In the words of Mario Rotllant, president of Foto Colectania, "photography can be a tool for social transformation", and this exhibition is tangible proof of that.

El Raval, Barcelona