Portraits for No One – Introduction

In a nutshell, Portraits for No One is a collection of stories and photographs. The images form sequences inspired by the stories, but they are not intended to illustrate them. Instead, they create another layer that enriches the experience. Often, they tell a separate story, in dialogue with the layer of words.

My goal is to create video clips in which the stories are delivered by a voiceover artist, while the visual layer consists of sequences of surreal, dream-like, black-and-white photographs. Each story will become a separate video clip.

Portraits for No One touches on themes of solitude and belonging, altruism and dedication to helping others, the courage to follow one’s inner voice, and the search for consolation, hope and strength after personal disasters. The stories are written in the style of magical realism, which is further enriched by the surrealism of the photographs. Together they work as a multi-layered metaphor. Although the stories are inspired by real-life events, the project transforms them into something universal – strangely familiar but not literal. Both the magical realism of the stories and the surrealism of the photographs serve as costumes to deliver a deeply humane message.

Some characters appear across several stories. Amparo Luz is one of them. At the core of her character lies a profound need to help others. She is a restless helper to all who suffer, who need support in difficult circumstances, or who find themselves powerless against external forces. Amparo brings hope, rescue, and often new life – especially to other women. She is a true heroine who does not seek reward or recognition; her mission is to help others, and this is where her focus lies. It all comes at the cost of her emotional wellbeing, but she is ready to pay the price. She is honest, brave, and selfless.

Replaceable Faces tells the story of Octavio and his infatuation with Amparo. This is where we first meet Amparo, and where we begin to understand the origins of her character and her motivation for her future mission.

On the visual level, through photography, I aim to suggest that Amparo’s inner power stems from her experiences of being misunderstood, treated as an object rather than a human being – a man’s fantasy rather than an equal person. It is a story about the awakening of a fragile and deeply empathetic soul, before she becomes ready to act and offer strength and encouragement to others.

Both Octavio and Amparo are portrayed by female models, adding a layer of ambiguity and surrealism to the scenes. A female model playing Octavio and dressed in men’s clothing does not appear as a woman, but rather as a delicate, gentle man. This opens up questions about Amparo’s origins and the events that shaped her character. Was it a man’s or a woman’s hand that initiated her evolution?

Octavio lives in a world of fantasy, believing that appearances speak louder than the inner voice. He is a man of disguise, tricks, and illusion. Through Amparo, he comes to understand that there is an inner voice and that what lies beneath the surface may carry even greater significance. Through observation comes his transformation – from a man of gimmicks to a compassionate human being.

On a technical level, I intend for both Octavio and Amparo to be portrayed by female models dressed in vintage outfits. By using period clothing and retro props, I hope to achieve a timeless quality in the imagery, similar to what was accomplished in the Cobwebs video clip.

Please find the ‘Cobwebs’ video clip here:
https://youtu.be/dEmofzcJCnY 

Please find the ‘Replaceable Faces’ story here: https://portraitsfornoone.com/replaceable-faces