Book

May 2026

The project Birds of Mexico City- 2026 is a striking editorial campaign that reimagines the relationship between human form, texture, and historical iconography. Through a monochromatic lens, the work channels a fine art aesthetic, blending classical portraiture with a surreal, contemporary sensibility. Captured with a masterful command of light and shadow, the imagery utilizes low-key chiaroscuro techniques to heighten the interplay between organic materials—such as raffia, lace ruffs, and dried branches—and the stark, industrial environments of weathered concrete and peeling wallpaper. Under the creative direction of Chino Castilla and the photographic eye of Pieter Henket, the series oscillates between the static grace of sculpture and the raw intimacy of human performance. The execution relies heavily on natural light and studio strobe to define the tactile quality of the elaborate costumes, which range from Elizabethan-inspired silhouettes to abstract, bird-like configurations. This project functions as an evocative study of balance and composition, where each frame acts as a theater of textures. By stripping away color, the focus shifts entirely to the sculptural integrity of the styling and the nuanced, often dreamlike gestures of the subjects. The result is a body of work that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in a modern, avant-garde editorial tradition, effectively transforming the portrait into a vehicle for complex, narrative-driven visual storytelling.

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