Willingness: anonymous heroes and heroines – Victoria Abón.

There are so many realities we are unaware of in our daily lives, the realities of so many people whilst life goes on for us. Those other people in different parts of the world may be going through difficult times, but there are always others who help to ease those moments.

There are exhibitions, particularly those where photography takes centre stage, that go beyond the art form itself and the technical perfection or otherwise of the photographs; instead, they focus on the emotions, actions, feelings and ways of life of many people. When one looks at these photographs, one can sense that energy, both what the photographer seeks to convey and what emanates from the people in the photographs, particularly from their faces.

This is the case with the photographic exhibition entitled “Willingness” by Victoria Abón, which is still on display at the El Ateneo art gallery until 29 May. Beneath the exhibition’s title it reads: Sinhogarismo, meaning homelessness, reality and territory. And this has a great deal to do with, or expresses, the true meaning of the exhibition.

In galleries of this kind, the texts I find are in Spanish, but I will explain them throughout this post. In this case, it refers to the fact that there is a Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and one of the rights is to have decent housing; yet many do not have it, and that is the sad reality faced by many people. Due to various circumstances, many live on the streets; it is not possible for them to have a home.

But on the other hand, there are many volunteers, belonging to various humanitarian organisations from all over the world, doing their bit, contributing their grain of sand to help these people, those who have nothing to eat, no home, or face any other situation where a right is being violated.

Often, they lack not only material things but also someone to talk to, understanding, kind words and empathy. And this photographic exhibition deals precisely with these two aspects and the interaction between them. It seeks to show the faces of those who are less fortunate and of those who selflessly offer their help.

It is a story told through images, excellent photographs, indeed, which highlight the determination of anonymous heroes and heroines who help people invisible to society. But it also seeks to show the determination of those who are homeless to overcome their situation, their effort and struggle, even though there are realities that leave these people adrift, trying to survive each day.

This exhibition makes us reflect on our own lives, on what we have and on how many things could happen, indeed, do happen, in the world, yet many are unaware of them or do not even suspect them; it makes us think about the vagaries of the future, where anyone could find themselves on either side of the situation.

During my visit, I was not only able to see the faces of these people, but also, at each specific section, there was a sort of map listing their names and, in the case of the volunteers, their professions, such as teachers, schoolteachers, housewives, military personnel, shopkeepers, hospitality workers, mechanics, carers, athletes and many more.

Their daily tasks were specified, but I could also read, regarding the homeless, how long they had been without a home, whether they had children or not, whether they had a profession, and another interesting thing was that a photo of a homeless person was displayed alongside that of a volunteer; all the photographs were interspersed, as if unifying them.

We are all human beings; we can all face difficulties in life, including those overwhelming financial issues that can lead to deep sadness and depression. Often, people believe there is no way out, that they cannot be the solution, but volunteers can be the light for those people who are in the dark pit and can give them hope. That is how I interpreted this spectacular exhibition.

Thank you very much for joining me today; I wish you all a very happy Sunday. See you soon.
Amonet.

All photographs are my own.