Facundo de Zuviría: Siesta Argentina and other modest observations at Americas Society, January 25 – April 1, 2017

“Inspired by the vernacular architecture, design, and urban landscape of Buenos Aires, photographer Facundo de Zuviría (b. 1954) captures the intimate and often unnoticed details of daily life in his images of the Argentine capital. Curated by Alexis Fabry and Gabriela Rangel, the exhibition centers on the photo-essay, Siesta Argentina. Originally conceived as a photobook, the series was triggered by the 2001 “corralito crisis” — the social and economic downturn that shook the Argentine nation. Published in 2003, Siesta Argentina has been exhibited in Argentina, France, and Germany, but is now being presented for the first time in the United States.” — Americas Society

“According to Facundo de Zuviría, his photographic journeys through Buenos Aires were born from his obsessions,” notes Fabry. “Rather than mere chance, his images derive from an effort to reconstruct the city from its fragile remnants, its ‘modest differences,’ to borrow the words of [Argentine writer Jorge Luis] Borges.”

Óptica [Optician], San Telmo (Estampas Porteñas series), 1984. Gelatin silver print; vintage copy. Courtesy of the artist

Peinados Rosita [Rosita Hair Salon], Monserrat (Estampas Porteñas series), 1985. Gelatin silver print; vintage copy. Courtesy of the artist

Elvira, Avenida San Juan y Balcarce, San Telmo (Estampas Porteñas series), 1985/2015 Gelatin silver print Courtesy of the artist

Vista desde la oficina [View from the Office], Centro Cultural San Martín (Estampas Porteñas series), 1987/2015. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the artist

007, Cine en Belgrano [007, Movie Theater in Belgrano] (Estampas Porteñas series), 1987/2015. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the artist

Cerrado [Closed], Microcentro (Estampas Porteñas series), 1986/2014. Chromogenic print. Courtesy of the artist

Restaurante Aeropuerto, Microcentro, 1988. Chromogenic print; vintage copy. Courtesy of the artist

Hotel La Argentina, Avenida de Mayo, October 1987/2014. Chromogenic print. Courtesy of the artist

La Tacita [The Teacup], San Telmo, 1987/2014. Chromogenic print. Courtesy of the artist

Natural, calle Perón, August 1988/2015. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the artist

Bar con tacita [Bar with Teacup], Barrio Norte, 1991/2015. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the artist