Text by Claudia Pensado.
Last Thursday, March 13th, Volta Art Gallery in Valencia had the pleasure of opening La Llumenà, an exhibition by renowned Valencian photographer Francesc Planes. At Herdes Magazine, we celebrate the well-deserved recognition of his talent and the opportunity for him to present his artistic vision in a dedicated space.
Now based in Paris, Planes has built an outstanding career in documentary and fashion photography, collaborating with prestigious brands such as Balenciaga, Loewe, and Schiaparelli. His work is also featured in Herdes Magazine as part of our Getaway Valencia series, where our readers can explore his project with us. One of the main reasons we were drawn to working with Francesc Planes is his distinctive approach to the human body and its place in contemporary society. His photography delves into the grotesque with an extraordinary sensitivity to color, form, and detail. That’s why we highly recommend this exhibition, where his unique vision is sure to leave a lasting impression on every viewer.
La Llumenà focuses on an emotional and spiritual phenomenon deeply rooted in Valencian tradition. During the Ofrenda de Flores to the Mare de Déu dels Desamparats, a key event within the Fallas celebrations, many women experience a moment of epiphany, an overwhelming emotion tied to personal memories and collective devotion, often expressed through tears. This ecstatic moment occurs when falleras, after walking through the city carrying bouquets of flowers, arrive at Plaza de la Virgen and face the image of the patron saint. It is more than just a fleeting emotional reaction, it is a mystical experience where light, fire, and devotion merge into an almost miraculous instant. Through his lens, Francesc Planes captures the intensity of these moments with his signature visual style, creating images that reveal the profound depth of this collective experience.
Alongside the exhibition, Planes is also presenting La Llumenà, a book that expands on the same theme with a selection of photographs and texts that dive deeper into this tradition. The book will be available both at the gallery and on the artist’s official website: www.francescplanes.com.
