PHOTOGRAPHING CHRONOS
ONE RAINY AFTERNOON AT THE HEART OF VINTAGE RACING
Text and photos by Gustavo Figueiredo
Have you ever wondered about that inner-conscious relationship between old racing cars, classy watches and fine wine?
It's because racing is about people, not about cars. In other words, racing is about fighting Time. It's about people fighting something stronger than themselves. That is why we build powerful cars. It's the need to create instruments that give us the illusion that we can fight Time in this never ending race called Life. That is what impels us to accelerate. That is why we love speed. It's that illusion, that sense of joy of being faster than Time itself.
This also explains why every great driver sees action in slow motion when immersed in moments of driving perfection. This increased awareness, this seemingly real victory of Consciousness over Time applies to any great athlete, in any action sport, by the way. Therefore, the recognized importance of meditation, for some.
"Time is one of the few things man cannot influence. It gives each of us a beginning and an end. And this makes us question how we use what comes between. We all have a desire to create something that will show we were here. And did something of value. To create something timeless."
- Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche
"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen.
Racing is all about trying to turn motion into stillness - not the opposite. It's about stopping Time, feeding the fear of not being young anymore.
It's the need to play 'till death comes and defeats life. And it's also the art of trying to be young. But in a relaxed, classy, aged, vintage way.
Like a fine wine bottle in a cellar, all its glamour is inside, and yet, the outside may be dusty and dirty as a race car and driver after crossing the finish line under a chequered flag - the chess-like symbol of life itself. That is why a Holy Cup awaits for the winner at the podium.
This photo essay tries to express this concept, through a timeless film look of pure plain photos of a vintage racing event. Simply because Photography is also all about turning motion into stillness. Racing life through a lens. That's what it is.
Images from the Historic Racing Festival, Estoril, Portugal, 2016.
@ Copyright - Gustavo Figueiredo, 30th Nov 2016.