Founded in 1947, Argentina’s National Symphonic Band of the Blind is composed exclusively of blind musicians. Its repertoire, which includes classical music and Argentine folk songs, is renowned for its exceptional technical and expressive quality. This photographic project was inspired by the band’s message of inclusivity and of music as a tool for social change. This project features diptychs that combine images of braille musical scores with portraits of the musicians who interpret them. The scores, designed to be read through touch, lose their functionality when photographed, becoming visual symbols that reveal their form but conceal their meaning. These objects, illuminated with dramatic lighting that highlights the braille’s raised dots and casts deep shadows, evoke a tension between the visible and the invisible. In contrast, ‘the musician’s portrait restores humanity to this abstraction, reminding us that music, though intangible, resides within the performer’s body and memory. These diptychs thus explore the paradox between the invisibility of sound and the materiality of language, transforming absence into a symbolic presence that is imbued with meaning and significance.’
Born in Buenos Aires. He works as a photography teacher teaching courses, workshops and seminars. His photographs are part of official and private collections. He has exhibited: Argentina, United States, France, England, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Macau, India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Luxembourg, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Portugal. , Scotland, Austria, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Romania, Estonia, Philippines and Kazakhstan.
Javier (53) was born with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, which led to progressive vision loss from an early age. At 17 he received his first saxophone and began studying music, and in November 1994 he competed for the position of second tenor saxophone in the National Symphonic Band of the Blind. He was a member of this prestigious ensemble from March 1995 to September 2019.
Sebastián (36) is from a family that is deeply affected by an inherited condition, retinitis pigmentosa. He turned to music as a way to cope with his circumstances and, encouraged by his uncle, joined the National Symphonic Band of the Blind in 2019. He was initially advised to take up the saxophone, but inspired by his love of ska music, his true passion lay with the trumpet. Today, Sebastián cannot imagine playing any other instrument in the band.
Zulma (41) began experiencing visual problems at the age of nine and, three years later, lost her sight completely. During her sixth year of primary school, she started learning braille. At the age of 20, she delved into the world of music, studying braille music notation and percussion. In 2014, after successfully passing a competitive audition, she joined theNational Symphonic Band of the Blind as a percussionist.
Mauro (33) grew up in a family where both his parents and brother are blind. He began losing his sight at the age of seven and was completely blind by 13. Despite this, he discovered his true passion in music. He started playing the bass at 11 and later dedicated himself to the double bass. In 2015, he joined the National Symphonic Band of the Blind.
Cristian (46) lost his sight during childhood, leaving him totally blind, but this inspired him to craft a world rich in scents, textures and sounds. His passion for music blossomed at an early age, and at 18 he joined the National Symphonic Band of the Blind. Today, as a professional musician, he seeks to move and inspire others, reminding them that – despite life’s obstacles – beauty can always be found in the journey.
Jorge (70) was born blind, but two operations at the age of 10 enabled him to partially regain his sight. His passion for music was ignited at a school for visually impaired students, and at the age of 22 he joined the National Symphonic Band of the Blind. A retired music teacher, Jorge remains a dedicated member of the symphony band, confirming his lifelong commitment to music.
Cecilia (49) was born with congenital cataracts and underwent multiple surgeries during childhood. However, following a school accident at the age of 11, she gradually started to lose her vision. Four years later she enrolled in a school for the blind, where she learned braille and music notation. In 1994 she joined the National Symphonic Band of the Blind as a double bassist, but later discovered her love for the oboe and assumed the role of soloist for this instrument within the same band.