Maria Moldes
Her photos make me think of Martin Parr - not a bad thing to have said of one’s work, right? She takes photos of people and she takes them when they are not expecting it. Learn more about Maria Moldes and her ongoing project, “Scenes of Radioactive Life”.
Where are you from and where in Spain do you live?
I'm from Galicia in northern Spain. I currently live in Madrid, but until recently I lived in Alicante - a city in the Spanish Mediterranean.
Is it true to say you love the beach and you love old people? Which do you love more?
Yes, it is true, the beach is the place where I am happiest! I love the energy that is in the older people I meet and I’m very curious about them. They are not given the position they deserve in society and sometimes it seems as if this age bracket is invisible to the rest of society which seems very absurd when our populations are increasingly aging. I could not choose between them two.
Why are older people so interesting as subjects?
I am very interested because, in a certain way, I’m very bored of the prominence that young people have in our time. It seems to me very unfruitful to focus only on one age group… forgetting the old age that, from my point of view, has much to offer. Photographically I find that older subjects have more force.
How long have you been taking photos? What kind of camera do you use?
I have been taking pictures for more than 10 years. At this moment I use my mobile phone and a compact camera.
How many hours would you say you have spent taking pictures on the beach?
I do not know! Many!! I've been working on my beach series "Scenes of Radioactive Life" for four years.
Do you have a favorite beach? Do you wear sunblock?
My favorite beach is Levante beach in Benidorm - for me it is the most crazy and fun beach of all that I have been to and I have been to many. Curiously, I do not like to get a lot of tan. I always wear sunscreen, hat, umbrella, everything our mother would want us to wear.
Are the people you photograph confident? How do you approach some on for a photo?
My photographs in general are not prepared. I like them to be taken from reality as much as possible - I think that is one of the strengths of this project. I never talk to the subjects before taking the photo, sometimes I speak after taking the photo.
What is your opinion on Botox and wrinkles?
I like wrinkles. When I see a beautiful woman I do not care if she has wrinkles or not. For me, the botox spoils the expression of the face and makes them all the same. I hope that over time this fad disappears and we grow to appreciate old age.
Images courtesy of MARIA MOLDES
interview ASHLEY MUNNS
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