Víctor Escuín borrás & María Jesús Perales Raya
GLASS WINGS
Alas de Cristal is a multidisciplinary project that originated from a styling proposal by María Jesús Perales Raya for her final-year project, for which I developed the photographic concept. We worked together to transform that idea into images rich in symbolism. This project subsequently became an exhibition that we have shown – so far – in Leganés, Salamanca and Baeza.
From the outset, we have embraced a minimalist, conceptual and austere aesthetic, with direct references to dependency and the lack of freedom, using as few elements as possible within the composition. Lighting and the use of colour schemes were a fundamental part of this process.
The creative process drew on artistic and visual references that guided the development of the initial sketches. In the realm of fashion, we took inspiration from Viktor & Rolf, known for their conceptual and innovative designs. On an artistic level, the main reference was Picasso, particularly his surrealist and expressionist periods, which brought drama and visual power to the project.
Through fashion and body language, the exhibition addresses the global issue of gender-based violence from an emotional yet restrained aesthetic, where each photograph reveals tensions, fragilities and contradictions.
To bring this project to life, we have drawn on a diverse group of women—colleagues and friends from the Menecmos Theatre Company—because this reality cuts across age groups, social classes and economic backgrounds without distinction.
The result is a visual journey that invites reflection on the lack of freedom, dependence and, above all, the inner strength of the women who have inspired this work.
*Alas de Cristal* explores what lies beneath the surface: the pressure, the dependence and the silent force that sustains
Concept and aesthetics
The project is based on a powerful premise: gender-based violence affects women of all ages, appearances, social classes and economic backgrounds. Consequently, the aesthetic is minimalist, conceptual and austere, with references to dependency and the lack of freedom.
With this in mind, I work hard to ensure that the photographic compositions are simplified as much as possible—both in terms of lighting set-ups and props—so as to focus attention on the message.
Creative process
As a photographer and a stylist, we joined forces to convey, through images, lighting, colour and body language, the conflicting and, at times, toxic emotions that fashion can evoke in women. It wasn’t always easy to reconcile our visions, but one phrase became our guiding principle:
“Together we are better”.
The creative process draws inspiration from artistic and visual references:
Viktor & Rolf, for their conceptual and innovative designs Picasso, during his surrealist and expressionist periods, reflected in the make-up created by Vanesa Muñoz Perales
The entire project explores and plays with contrasts between the real world and inner worlds, using light and colour as tools to convey sensations and feelings.
Clothes with meaning
Clothes with meaningEach outfit has been given a name that symbolises different forms of violence:
Trash dress, check dress, love dress, multifaceted dress, kimono, mosquito net, bars, puppet, weights, cocoon and butterfly.
A team effort
In addition to the conceptual work, the development of sketches and the photographic aspect, the project is being carried out as a multidisciplinary collaboration with:
Pablo Prieto, audiovisual creator
Miguel de las Heras Fernández, composer
Vanesa Muñoz Perales, make-up artist
Actresses from the Menecmos theatre group in Leganés, who brought courage and sensitivity to the project:
Lourdes Peregrina Anguita, Gloria Perales Raya, Marisa Wilt Piote, Verónica del Río Morilla, Carmen Sánchez Bilbao, Vanesa Muñoz Perales, Ana Delgado Herranz, Ana Pardos Tejero, Lissette Ivonne Lamas, María Palomino Cabra.
Exhibitions
Central Library Exhibition Hall (Leganés)
Torre de los Anaya Exhibition Hall (Salamanca)
Gaspar Becerra Exhibition Hall (Baeza)
Press
