In the context of Franco’s developmentalism, a large number of homes were built on the outskirts of the main cities in Spain. These dense urban fabrics, with buildings that are as homogeneous as they are bland, create a landscape that reflects a Spain undergoing changes that continue to this day. Architect-researcher Pablo Arboleda presents this imperfect reality from a heritage perspective, where the term “heritage” is stripped of idealism and becomes a mirror inviting society to recognize itself as it truly is. Meanwhile, photographer Kike Carbajal documents a Madrid that could represent many other cities, revealing a common imagery that elevates strangely familiar scenes to the status of “postcards.” The combination of both authors results in a rich exercise of introspection about the paradoxes that our cities hold, always balancing between advocacy and questioning. It’s a thoughtful and leisurely observation of what, due to its proximity, we have never truly examined. This present past has a narrative that needs gestures to help build a broader, more honest, and inclusive image of Spain.
Ediciones Asimétricas
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