Montserrat Altimiras's Introspecció: Serene Seascapes After 20 Years

Montserrat Altimiras's first solo exhibition in nearly two decades, *Introspecció*, is on view for just a few more days at the Untitled gallery in Girona's capital, featuring a series of serene seascapes that invite quiet reflection.

The show displays around ten photographs of calm seas—rarely turbulent—captured along the Costa Brava, including spots like Sant Martí d'Empúries. These works mark a conceptual shift for Altimiras, who has appeared frequently in group shows, such as the recent *Les sufragistes*, but had not mounted a solo outing since roughly 20 years ago. Her earlier series *Identitat fragmentada* hinted at this direction, experimenting with a dry-stone wall; now, she fully immerses viewers in empty marine landscapes devoid of human figures, leaving space for personal memories.

Altmiras describes her process as intuitive rather than planned. "These are images I encounter, not ones I seek," she says. "When I'm calm and away from daily chaos, I let myself drift and observe. My way of contemplating is through photography, without any preconceived plan."

She works with soft, subdued light from early morning or late afternoon—"described by some as sad," though her aim is to create "a window open to contemplation, a wordless visual poem." Subtle camera movements and long exposures capture the sea's gentle sway, while printing on ultra-thin film overlaid on handmade paper introduces a faintly three-dimensional quality, blending photography with painting and drawing effects.

Technical details aside, Altimiras prioritizes emotional resonance. She wants her images to stir viewers, evoking "a moment, a sensation, a person," unearthing something intimate even if unrelated to her intent. These are not quick-consumption visuals but seas demanding time and patience, much like lingering on a Baiona beach at sunset until the tide soaks your feet.

The exhibition closes on Monday; those interested should hurry to Untitled.