Sandra Torralba

2008- 2010 Under Construction

“Estranged” refers to someone or something who was formerly close and no longer is. With a broad and holistic understanding of sexuality and sex and after years of honest and stark introspection and reflection upon existence and society begins “Estranged Sex”: a work about a sexuality that is both strange and estranged, natural and alienated.

"Estranged sex" suggests an ironic, critical and rarefied approach to sexuality. Sexuality is understood as a psychosocial and biological entity present on each and every aspect of individuals existence, it is a vast and comprehensive understanding of the term that gives meaning to this series.

“Estranged Sex” is not a distorted reflection of reality given by a subjective mirror but more the reaction to such reality. Equally, it is not a modern and sexually liberated statement, but rather a fight for a freer understanding. What I propose is a reflection upon sexual taboos, the deconstruction of pornography, the naturalization of what's humane and the normalization of the alienated, the legitimation of female sexuality' s goodness and its understanding as something vast and complete. I am thus challenging the established boundaries upon sexuality and defying society's compulsive obsession to control, condemn and restrict human nature.

Human beings are presented here in all their pathetic splendour, tragic vulnerability and endearing humanity, as a familiar being silenced on his doubts and rarities, alienated and absent minded. We observe it doubting in its quotidian spaces whereby he reflects back to us a shameful reality where the rarification of what's natural coexists with the normalization of what's weird. The dislocated and confused being, censored in his daily experiences, tries to find ways to reconcile its animality, corporeality and desires with social intrusions, with no luck, mindlessly getting on extraordinary circumstances, facing equally, what's most beautiful and most ugly of experience.

"Estranged Sex" is a photographic and audiovisual project. Click here to view the video.

2009- Under Construction

The downfall of the dream started with the story of a dream, that of flying if only low, of having memories of a better life. There was a moment of easiness and jolly peace until existential thinking reclaimed its space. My grandmother's illness and the imminence of her loss made enacted the threat of the loss of my own parents and a vivid despair and agony sank in as I imagined my mother's loss and therefore my own. There is no life without death as there is no dream without its downfall.

As the downfall develops itself the main character is transformed into a more vilified, monstrous, vampiric, lonely and alienated version of itself that craves what it cant longer get.

Heavily distorted through photoshop, these deranged "illuminati" represent an approach to the notions of mystic experiences, hallucinations, faith, wisdom, leadership, charisma, truth and messagers.

Visionarios/ Visionaries explores the happening of a vision, those who have it and those who follow.

Under Construction

2008- Closed

A very visceral project based on the impulsive use of self awareness and self analysis to representation of my emotional states whilst using memories, fantasies, and external images to recreate the scenario and the character that could incarnate them.

Through performative action and self portraiture I found the means to give way cathartically and creatively to my own internal processes.

This is primarily an existential and introspective process fuelled by the irony of tragedy and drama.

2008- Closed

Sleeping people, like passengers in one's life, aslept through awakedness, exisiting unawakened, our lives lost between our fingers as we think death does not apply to us, .

Reveries of the sleep walker, the insomniac and the dreamer.

2008- Closed

Gender Parody

Inspired in a fetal dead pig re- birth in the sink, it speaks about the natural cycle of life and death.