This photo collection, capturing a training session of the Ointxe club, shares accolades with seven other photographers from Euskal Herria. These artists will present their projects and inaugurate a collective exhibition on May 9 at Arkupe Kultur Etxea.
The awarded series narrates the evolution of an idea that originated in November 2020 in the mind of a coach. Initially, in an empty Iturripe sports center due to restrictions, during a virtual training session with only three coaches and a photographer present, the seed of what is now a reality was sown.
“"Although the idea was conceived in 2020, it wasn't until May 2024 that the project officially launched. What began as a thought on an empty court has transformed into a vibrant and lively meeting point."
Inclusion is at the heart of this project, where barriers are erased on the Iturripe court. Players with intellectual disabilities, their families, coaches, former players, and sponsors participate. Although based in the Debagoiena region, the project attracts people from diverse locations such as Pamplona, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Otxandio, Durango, and Zumaia.
The sports proposal is not limited to local training sessions but has taken its message to significant venues such as the Bilbo Arena, Baskonia's facilities in Vitoria, Legazpi, Arrasate, and even to Zaballa prison, participating in various match formats and tournaments.
In this third edition of Argazkia.eus, as in the previous two, the eight selected winning projects photographically portray the interests and aspirations of eight Basque authors. In addition to Ángel Ayastuy, the awardees include Estitxu Ortolaiz (Gipuzkoa), Iván Martín (Araba), Aitziber Abasolo (Bizkaia), Carmenchu Alemán (Nafarroa), Marc Gassó (Lapurdi), Pierre Balacei (Nafarroa Beherea), and Christophe de Prada (Zuberoa).
Estitxu Ortolaiz from Gipuzkoa presents Matriarkado, a tribute to women who sustain daily life through work at sea and in the farmhouse. From Araba, Iván Martín proposes Dark, a visual reinterpretation of the figure of Juan Díaz de Garayo and the construction of the criminal myth. Bizkaia is represented by Zorrotzaurre or la Ribera de Bilbao, by Aitziber Abasolo, a journey through a constantly transforming space. From Nafarroa, Carmenchu Alemán signs San Fermín 2001, an essay on the festival as a state of exception. Representing Lapurdi, Marc Gassó has been awarded for Mugalari, an analog journey along the Bidasoa border. In Nafarroa Beherea, Pierre Balacey is behind Ahadi, a visual diary from the territory's peaks. And in Zuberoa, Christophe de Prada constructs Pilota, a work on the pelota tradition.
The competition, organized by the City Council and Argazkia Puntu Eus, will present its awards on May 9 at Arkupe, in an event where the eight protagonists will present their projects in sessions open to the public. Each winning work will receive 500 euros, followed by the inauguration of a collective exhibition with a guided tour by curator Gustaco Bravo.
