PROJECT
StatEment
By Mauricio Candela
What once was childhood.
Childhood and the Nostalgia of it have a curious relationship.
It’s not something that children are conscious of, but as adults, it plays a big part as a reference in their lives.
Remembering our own childhood conjures up images and thoughts of a seemingly simpler, easier time.
When we see today’s children surrounded by technology, it seems as if their own imaginations are now at the mercy of tablets and dictated by smartphones and video games consoles.
Almost like a still silent scream, these photographs are presented to remind us that innocence, simplicity and creativity are the foundations of any childhood. Having any of these elements in our the past, is what makes the nostalgia for them so strong in present times.
This artwork shows the reality of a child. We can clearly experience a “feeling” in viewing it. It acts almost like a warning to the inner adult carried inside. It’s a reminder that any childhood flourishes by such very basic, simple things within a nurturing environment.
It will serve as a safety net or foundation. By enabling this context, they’ll be armed at defending themselves from the assault of today’s world and its technological tsunami.
The process of creating these images was done over a long and slow timetable.. It took almost a year to find all the ideal characters to reflect the meaning of what I wanted to impart in the artwork. Using neutral color palettes and staging each scene organically, without makeup or tricks, without over-producing them.