Voar 2001

Helena Almeida created this intriguing photograph, Voar, which translates to 'Fly' or 'To Fly'. The materials involved are relatively straightforward: photographic paper, darkroom chemicals, and blue paint. But it's what Almeida *does* with these materials that is so compelling. Note how the blue paint, applied after the photographic process, flattens the space and contributes to the feeling of suspension and altered reality. Almeida herself is the figure in the image, perched precariously on a stool, arms outstretched. It’s impossible to ignore the performative aspect, the work involved in assuming this pose, and the physical risk implied. She is quite literally embodying the desire to fly, challenging the boundaries of what photography, performance, and painting can be. Almeida encourages us to consider not just what the image depicts, but how the labor and materials are intertwined to create a powerful and evocative statement. She reminds us that art is not just about representation, but also about the artist's engagement with the world, the process, and the possibilities inherent in material exploration.