Jun 123 min read

Involuntary

Updated: Jun 12

photography by Olga Pastor

TITAN: Hi Olga, thanks for your beautiful submission. It would be great to get to know you a little better. Where are you from?

Olga: Hello guys! Thank you so much! I'm so glad to be featured on your website. I was born in Valencia but now call Barcelona home.

Black and white portrait of a woman with a serene expression, featuring creative shadow play on her face. The woman is wearing a headscarf and seashell earrings. The text 'INVOLUNTARY by Olga Pastor' is prominently displayed at the bottom. This striking image is part of Ex Litore's visual storytelling collection.

TITAN: How did you get into photography?

Olga: My parents bought me a point-and-shoot analog camera when I was a teenager because I was interested in photography. Photography became a hobby for me, and three years ago I decided to begin a degree program and prepare myself to work on personal projects relating to fashion and documentary work.

TITAN: Do you think where you live affects your art?

Olga: Without a doubt. Living in a city like Barcelona can be really overwhelming, therefore in my personal life, I constantly try to visit places to get away from the hustle and bustle of a huge metropolis. This is when I discover new places, which is why my style is so organic.

Black and white photograph of an antler resembling a natural sculpture against a dark background. The antler, featuring intricate textures and details, stands out starkly, emphasizing its organic form. This image is part of Ex Litore's visual storytelling collection, showcasing nature-inspired artistry.

Diptych image featuring contrasting scenes: on the left, a close-up of a shiny, reflective seashell nestled among dark rocks; on the right, a woman in a white dress lies on rocky terrain, arms outstretched and hair cascading down, embodying a sense of surrender and connection with nature. This image is part of Ex Litore's visual storytelling collection, highlighting the interplay between human presence and natural elements.

Black and white photograph of a textured rock formation against a plain background. The rock's layered and eroded surfaces create a visually intriguing pattern, emphasizing the natural beauty and complexity of geological formations. This image is part of Ex Litore's visual storytelling collection, showcasing the raw aesthetics of nature.

TITAN: What inspires your work?

Olga: I'm an enthusiast of cinematography and music culture from other eras, I get inspired by my favorite artists. My art combines all of my interests. Traveling to various countries, seeing different landscapes, and revisiting my birthplace with a fresh perspective have been the most beneficial to me. I need new scenarios to get inspired, and places that could help me to tell a new story. Sometimes finding this new place or landscape is the most challenging part.

Diptych image featuring two contrasting scenes: on the left, a black and white close-up of a hand gently combing through long hair; on the right, a color photograph of a dry, brown leaf resembling butterfly wings resting on a rocky surface. This image is part of Ex Litore's visual storytelling collection, exploring themes of transformation and the beauty found in natural details.

Diptych image featuring two contrasting scenes: on the left, a black and white photograph of a person's legs in black socks, standing on tiptoe on a concrete floor; on the right, a close-up of audio equipment with various cables and connectors plugged in. This image, photographed by Olga Pastor, is part of Ex Litore's visual storytelling collection, highlighting the juxtaposition of human form and technology.

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a woman stands confidently against a backdrop of a rocky landscape, wearing a sheer white top and high-waisted shorts under a clear blue sky. On the right, a black and white photograph of a rugged rock formation, highlighting the dramatic textures and contrasts in nature. This image captures the blend of human presence and natural beauty, emblematic of Ex Litore's visual storytelling.

TITAN: What is your process for developing a new piece?

Olga: I like to start by making a list of words relevant to the topic I want to work on, and then I start researching movies, books, and historical and current photographers. It is sometimes a single image that leads me to a theme, and I then begin working on that one. At times, it could be a song, an object, or a location. I did a lot of research on different styles in photography and other artists. I analyzed the mood of these photographs, the colors, and the lighting, and tried to match all of this to my style and the subjects I enjoy working with.

Black and white close-up photograph of a woman with her eyes closed, gently rubbing her eye with her fingers. The image captures a moment of introspection or fatigue, emphasizing the delicate details of her facial expression and hand. This photograph by Olga Pastor is featured by Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, highlighting the raw and intimate aspects of human emotion.

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a close-up color photograph of a golden-brown insect with delicate, translucent wings spread open against a gray background. On the right, a black and white photograph of a woman in mid-air, balancing on a chair tilted against a wall, her hair flowing and body poised in an artistic pose.

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a black and white photograph of rugged coastal rocks with intricate textures and layers, capturing the raw beauty of the natural landscape. On the right, a color photograph of a bathroom shower head with three colorful bath sponges—yellow, blue, and pink—hanging from a metal holder, highlighting everyday objects.

TITAN: What is the story behind this series?

Olga: Perfectionism can destroy you as the worst enemy in the creative process. Too many expectations may make the end result not match your expectations. Following intuition without putting too much pressure on the process is a lot more rewarding. When you make a mistake, you know that you have taken stage in a different learning. Turn imperfection, abstraction or chaos into something beautiful and pleasing to the eyes.

TITAN: What is something you can’t live without?

Olga: I'd say movies because it's one of my primary sources of inspiration. I appreciate viewing new films as well as revisiting classics and interpreting their visual language and philosophical meanings. I'm surprised by how much I've learned and how critical of series and movies I've become over time.

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a black and white photograph of a solitary plant stem standing against a blurred landscape, evoking a sense of isolation and simplicity. On the right, a color photograph of a woman with intense gaze, crouched on a rocky surface wearing a light blue one-shoulder top, her hair flowing freely.

Black and white close-up photograph of a single dried leaf against a plain background. The leaf's intricate textures and curled edges are captured in detail, highlighting its natural beauty and imperfections. This photograph by Olga Pastor is featured in Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, emphasizing the delicate and transient nature of organic elements.

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a vibrant color photograph of bright green moss growing on a rocky surface, showcasing the lush texture and natural beauty. On the right, a black and white photograph of a woman with her eyes closed, lying down with a small, speckled seashell resting on her forehead, creating a serene and contemplative mood.

TITAN: If someone was visiting Barcelona for the first time, what are some must-do things?

Olga: For me, the nicest things to do in Barcelona are architecture, art, and gastronomy. We can view several notable modernist buildings, but my favorite is the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion. Another thing I like to do is go to museums and galleries to see photography and art exhibitions. We also have a lot of bookstores, vintage furniture stores, and art galleries that are worth seeing.

I highly propose going to some Catalan taverns and restaurants to consume true local food and drinks rather than going to tourist traps.

Barcelona is a bustling city, so I recommend visiting some of our gardens surrounding Montjuic; these are historical sites with beautiful architecture that are a great location to unwind.

TITAN: What are your favorite musical artists right now?

Olga: Listening to 60s and 70s rock, R&B, and soul music (Al Green, Otis Redding, Sade, Creedence Clearwater Revival, George Harrison, The Doors, Bob Dylan, The Beatles...) is one of my favorite pastimes.

I also listen to contemporary rock and country bands like Blackberry Smoke, Chris Stapleton, and Greta Van Fleet. Two of my favorite instrumental groups are Los Hermanos Gutierrez and El Twanguero.

If I need to concentrate on something, I like to listen to Ryuichi Sakamoto or Nicholas Britell and Gustavo Santaolalla soundtracks.

As you can see, my musical interests are quite diverse, and I'm currently branching out into other musical genres such as flamenco. Camarón de la Isla has become my favorite singer, and La Leyenda del Tiempo is an album that everyone should experience.

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a color photograph of a round patch of light on a wooden floor, with the shadow of a small object partially visible, creating an abstract and minimalist composition. On the right, a black and white photograph of an empty, modern chair with a metal frame and black seat and backrest, positioned against a plain wall.

Color photograph of a large rock submerged in clear, shallow water, with sunlight reflecting off the water's surface. The rock's texture and the surrounding aquatic plants are visible through the water, creating a serene and natural scene. This photograph by Olga Pastor for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication,

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a black and white photograph of a row of triangular shadows cast by a curtain onto a wall, creating a geometric and abstract pattern. On the right, a color close-up photograph of a hand with water dripping from the fingertips, emphasizing the texture and translucence of the water.

Diptych image for Titan Magazine, an Ex Litore publication, photographed by Olga Pastor. On the left, a color photograph of a woman in a light blue one-piece outfit, curled up and resting against a rocky surface, conveying a sense of vulnerability and connection with nature. On the right, a dark silhouette of a lone tree against a twilight sky, with hints of deep blue and purple hues, creating a moody and contemplative atmosphere.

TITAN: Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us, Olga. It was great talking with you and learning a little about you and your home! I hope you have a great rest of the week and talk soon.

Olga Pastor: @_olgapastor_ www.olga-pastor.com

Involuntary

photography by Olga Pastor

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