He calls them “literary still lifes”, and what Lisbeth Salas portrays in them (Caracas, 54 years old) is the suggestive world that evoke the life and work of the authors. Literature is a key piece in the work of this documentary and portraitist photographer based in Spain, and there are the photolibros Infinitely serious (About Enrique Vila-Matas) and Faces and saying (About Rafael Cadenas). This spring is the new volume over Álvaro Pombo, The third city, adds to the one dedicated to the previous Cervantes award, Luis Mateo Díez, Days and things.
What are the recurring obsessions in your work? The other, the self, the person and the character.
When did he know that he would be dedicated to photography? I did not know until I was headed in it. It is almost like a vocation: I was lucky to have a teacher who formed me and transformed me into the trade thirty years ago. When that happened, I had no way out; Over time the profession chases me. I have done everything: Fixed photo for cinema, photolibros, reports, editorial projects and even porn photography.
What book has best explained an image? John Berger’s essays and also that documentary program on television Modes of see.
What author would have liked to portray? I transit through the hall of fame, so the list would be very long, starting with all the Raymond: Carver, Chandler and Queneau. Also Patricia Highsmith, Virginia Wolf, Iris Murdoch, John Cheever, Stendhal, Voltaire … so many. Even Picasso, Turner and also Rembrandt. And finally, to Diderot, just to give a gift to a friend who has devotion to him.
What is the most beautiful thing they have told about their work? In the midst of a portrait they called me “Light Tamer.” I was stiff.
And the most extravagant? A much older author told me: “Remove my eyes bags.” An impossible genius.
In which museum would you stay to live? Sweeping home, in the meadow without a doubt and more after reading The unnoticed meadow, Diego’s star, highly recommended.
And what book? In the Dictionary of María Moliner, but in its original version, before the updates.
What book is open on the bedside table? Many. Here I practice polyamor: The back room, by Carmen Martín Gaite; The modlin. Final chapters, from Paco Gómez; The attack of the goats, of Laura Chivite; and I cry because I don’t have feelings, From Barbara Mingo, this title is movie, he told me that he listened to a child …
One who couldn’t finish? Thousands, but on In search of lost timejust for the enjoyment of rummaging and going back. It does not let me advance: it is loaded with details, landscapes, lifes … It is a class on the image, I do not release it. In addition, a new translation comes out all the time.
What title is unfairly forgotten? Car by Fe, De Canetti, a magnificent work on the obsession with books, since he himself was obsessive about it. And also Newspapers, de Ernst Jünger.
What is the movie you have seen most times? Tokyo stories, From Yasujiro Ozu, a class, slow and fast life like life itself. But the director I have seen more films is Ingmar Bergman; Every year I see myself an entire cycle, I see it and I have everything.
The last series that saw the pull? The brief lifewith Javier Gutiérrez and Leonor Watling. Not only because of the good work of the actors, but for the costumes: I imagine the uncomfortable time shoes, put on and take off the wigs and tighten the waists with the corset …
If I had to use a song or a musical piece as self -portrait, what would it be? Full moon tone, by Simón Díaz, Venezuelan composer. Caetano Veloso and Silvia Pérez Cruz have a version that puts chicken skin.
What is socially overvalued? The perfection I have suffered in my own flesh, not in vain the saying ‘perfection is inhuman’.
What is the historical event that most admires? The Spanish transition told by my friends and the change of pesetas to euros. I already lived at that time in Spain, in 2002.
Who would you give the next Cervantes award? To a person who rubs 65, who can give speeches and enjoy the prize entirely. That recognition usually comes too late in life to the authors, you have to copy the Nobel who has lowered their average age. We owe this to Rudyard Kipling, who was the first to won at 42.
What commission would never accept? Of Paparazzi. They already offered it to me in their day to chase Vargas Llosa and I refused.
Not having been a photographer would be … I would live with several (Ies) HeteronymsLO FERNANDO PESSOA…
