Cajón del Maipo by Bruno Candiotto
Based in São Paulo, photographer Bruno Candiotto captures the beauty of Brazilian landscapes in washed pastel images. His background in history of art and culture informs the elegant compositions that form what he calls “o cheiro da minha vida” – “a smell of his life.” This sensual approach to photography permeates his work and each scene is not only visually arresting but encourages us to drink in the landscape and savour each texture.
The Cajón del Maipo series shot in Chile conveys the delicate contrasts and diversity found in the craggy mountains of San José de Maipo. Known as a place of healing, many Chileans often travel to Cajón del Maipo to clear their respiratory problems and bathe in the waters however when Candiotto describes his experience of shooting, the physical toll upon him is gruelling. He experiences altitude sickness and extreme temperatures and as he traverses the tough terrain things peel away.
’Short, pain, crazy symptoms and lush landscapes. That’s how I discovered that Chile is truly a country of contrasts. And that’s precisely why I want to return.’
His backpack, coat, scarf, cameras, water and food all fall by the wayside and he experiences the erosion that the crumbling mountain landscapes so elegantly embodies. This experience of reduction is reflected in his pared-back images and gentle tonal colour variations work to induce the viewer into his hazy, dream-like state.
The experience of visiting the Chilean mountains was taxing and as Candiotto summarises ‘in short, pain, crazy symptoms and lush landscapes. That’s how I discovered that Chile is truly a country of contrasts. And that’s precisely why I want to return.’
