Mar Sáez's intimate journey through post-Covid Rome on display at Castello Gamba

From Oct. 26 to Dec. 8, 2024, Castello Gamba - Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Châtillon, Val d’Aosta, will host the exhibition Third Life by Spanish photographer Mar Sáez (Murcia, 1983). Curated by Laura Tota, the exhibition develops around the theme of the rebirth of human connections in the aftermath of the pandemic. Through Sáez’s lens, the work offers a glimpse ofadolescence in Rome after Covid, portraying young people engaged in regaining a sense of belonging and freedom after two years of enforced isolation.

Mar Sáez, born in the Murcia region of Spain, uses an artistic approach that combines photography, video and sound installations to explore themes of great depth, such as freedom and the importance of human connections. Each element of the exhibition is designed to create an immersive experience in which vulnerability and resilience emerge as fundamental characteristics of being human. The shots, captured in the nights of Rome and Ostia, tell the story of the delicacy and fragility of adolescence, hinting at a sense of hope and rebirth, represented by the white light of LEDs that enhances the features of the faces.

“Third Life” was made possible thanks to the support of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Public Cooperation Grants for Artistic Production, which enabled Sáez to complete her residency at the Spanish Academy in Rome. This support allowed the artist to materialize the project in all its phases, from the creation of the works to their exhibition.

The “Third Life” project by Mar Sáez

Third Life is a project that aims to observe the new relational dynamics that have arisen after two years of isolation. Sáez describes this phase as a “third life,” a new existence characterized by a newfound freedom and a rebirth of emotional ties. His photographs depict a Rome steeped in monumentality and artistic memories, where the present and the future are intertwined in a unique narrative. Aiming to explore a territory of transition, Sáez invites the viewer to reflect on the value of affectivity in a world trying to overcome the difficulties and shocks of uncertainty.

The project took shape between 2021 and 2022, during the post-pandemic recovery. Rome and the beaches of Ostia were chosen as settings, symbolic places that appeared almost unrecognizable at that time, emptied of the usual influx of tourists. This transformation allowed the artist to capture a less frenetic and more intimate city, creating a contrast between the iconic places and the sense of suspension of daily life. The choice of Rome and Ostia as a backdrop represents a tribute to the resilience of a city that, despite everything, continues to live and evolve.

With Terza Vita (Third Life), Mar Sáez delivers to the public a work that, while drawing on personal experience, becomes an allegory of the human condition. His photographs, between beauty and introspection, are an invitation to reflection on the concept of freedom and the capacity for resilience. The exhibition at Castello Gamba offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in an emotional and visual journey, in which the viewer is called to confront his or her own experiences of loss and rebirth. Through a close lens and an empathetic gaze, the Spanish photographer’s shots manage to capture moments of vulnerability and introspection. Sáez sought to convey a feeling of direct contact, in which photographer and subject share an emotional space. The images, imbued with sensitivity, thus become a vehicle to explore the concept of freedom and the importance of interpersonal relationships in a complex historical moment.

“During the time I lived in Rome in 2021 and 2022, I was able to immerse myself in this ancient and monumental city,” the artist said. “There I immortalized the way young people came together again after a period of forced hiatus. In this immense place, I witnessed the rebirth of bonds and ties that flourished again, giving way to the pulse of relationships and life. This experience allowed me to explore the emotional experiences and intimacy of young Roman men and women from diverse backgrounds, witnessing a vibrant choral map of contemporary Roman society.”

About Mar Sáez

Born in 1983 in Murcia, Mar Sáez has an academic background combining Psychology and Audiovisual Communication, elements that are deeply reflected in her artistic production. In 2021, the artist received a scholarship from the Spanish Academy in Rome, an experience that marked the beginning of the Third Life project. Her research aims to explore identity and biopolitics, investigating the boundaries between the photographic document and personal experience. Sáez is known for her multidisciplinary approach, integrating photography, text, video and sound to create complex narratives and deep introspections.

Mar Sáez is an internationally established artist, with exhibitions at the Spanish Academy in Rome, the Gabarron Foundation in New York, Galería Retine Argentique in Marseille, and F22 Foto Space in Hong Kong. He has participated in major festivals such as KLAP Maison pour la Danse in Marseille and the Arles photography festival, and has exhibited at art fairs such as Paris Photo, London Art Fair, ARCO and Estampa. Among the many awards she has received, Sáez was a finalist for the Pilar Citoler International Prize for Contemporary Photography and was awarded the prestigious LUX Prize from the Association of Professional Photographers of Spain.

Mar Sáez's intimate journey through post-Covid Rome on display at Castello Gamba

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