Christian Chaize, Praia Piquinia

For almost twenty years, French photographer Christian Chaize has captured the evolving landscape of a small, secluded stretch of coastline in southern Portugal known as Praia Piquinia Beach—a landscape that is transformed with the ebb of every tide and the flourish of each new umbrella.  In 2004, Christian was introduced to Praia Piquinia Beach, when he began photographing this utopia with his medium and large format cameras.  Several times a year since then, Christian has returned to the infamous rocky cliff above Praia Piquina, with his camera, to highlight the ever-changing landscape of the beach below.  Christian’s photography is heavily influenced by the impact of time in relation to the beach’s landscape and the steady march of sunbathers throughout the days and years.  A conversation ensues with each image to reflect on the light, the season, the ocean’s tide, the hour, the climate - and the beach goers, unaware, of Christian’s presence. This intimate beach presents his subject matter in the form of a portrait—creating a record of nature over the minutes, days, months and years.  Christian’s work invites his audience to travel and experience Praia Piquinia with “new eyes” through each of his images, while simultaneously prodding his audience to create their own Praia Piquinia, by rediscovering a place they are familiar with, but, perhaps, exploring it through a new temporal lens.