The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project © Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project © Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project View all images ↓
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  • Dates
    2018 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Sports, Editorial, Fine Art
  • Location Munich, Germany
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In this series, I explore the drama and beauty of the “Falling Angels” - a metaphor for chaos and how we manage changes related to Genesis or Apocalypse, and how we transform one into the other.

In this series, I explore the drama and beauty of the “Falling Angels” - a metaphorical representation of how we gain wisdom from failure, and how we create sense out of chaos. These angels are not celestial beings but rather surfers who ride a static wave in Munich.

Aiming to be a Speaker for the water, I definitely love waves and oceans. Ocean photography has grown exponentially recently, and I have admired mesmerizing pictures of ocean water texture and wave shapes. This admiration for the ocean led me to discover surf photography and how the human body beautifully embraces water. When I started my own surf photography, I focused on a subject that is often overlooked in surf photography: the beauty of falling.

Over the past three years, I have spent countless hours observing surfers as they fall.

In my photographs, I use black and white to emphasize the stark contrast between light and shadow and to focus solely on the dramatic shapes and forms of the angels as they stumble through the air.

Each image in this series captures a moment of intense emotion and movement as the angels reach out their arms and hands in a mannerist fashion, evocative of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. These images are not simply depictions of physical movement, but rather they speak to the emotional and spiritual journey of humanity - the struggle to rise, to achieve greatness, and ultimately to fall into chaos and uncertainty.

Whether the images represent the beginning or the end of time is left to the interpretation of the viewer. The observer is invited to contemplate and decide if they are witnessing the genesis or the apocalypse. In this way, the Falling Angels represent a timeless metaphor for the chaos and uncertainty of the human experience. As I continue to document these angels over the coming years, my goal is to create a monumental fresco that captures the drama and beauty of their eternal struggle and invites the viewer to contemplate their own place in the timeless chaos of the universe. I will use the monumental Masterprint format (500 x 240 cm, Giclée print under plexiglass) provided by the Whitewall printing lab.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title: “The Announcement” >>>This angelic figure, with a clock on his wrist, appears to be announcing a dramatic change and a tipping point. As we feel a mixture of fear and excitement at what this might bring, we are reminded that time is a key driver of any impact. The image captures a moment of anticipation and uncertainty, as we wait to see what the future will bring.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "The Illumination" >>> An angel appears to receive a message of illumination from the timeless chaos of the wave. Whether this message signifies the birth of creation or the final apocalypse, we cannot say. The image captures a moment of ambiguity, in which the boundary between the beginning and the end is blurred, leaving us to wonder how many times we ignore whether something is ending or beginning.”

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
i

Title: “The Announcement” >>>This angelic figure, with a clock on his wrist, appears to be announcing a dramatic change and a tipping point. As we feel a mixture of fear and excitement at what this might bring, we are reminded that time is a key driver of any impact. The image captures a moment of anticipation and uncertainty, as we wait to see what the future will bring.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "The Vertigo". >>>This image is a metaphor for the sensation of vertigo that arises when we stand on the edge of a dramatic change. It is the moment when we finally see what is at stake, the price to pay, and the void of the new that lies before us. The surfer’s vertigo reminds us that the unknown is always a fearful and exhilarating prospect, a toll we must pay in order to move forward.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "The Call to Action" >>>In the face of a daunting challenge or dramatic change, it is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed and uncertain, paralyzed by the enormity of the task before us. Sometimes, what we need most is a push, a call to action from someone or something that inspires us to rise to the occasion. This image captures the urgency of that summons, a reminder that we are capable of more than we know when we are called upon to act.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "the Falling -1" >>> When it’s time for a dramatic change, some fall and keep falling, who spiral down into the abyss of their own making. They fall and they do not want to rise again, they do not want to see the light, they do not want to change. They fall and they hit rock bottom, and they stay there, trapped in their own fear and pain, unable to cope with the magnitude of the transformation, consumed by the weight of their failure to adapt.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Helping - 1" >>>Some may try to save those who fall, but their ways may be toxic. They see themselves as the hero, and those who have fallen as victims. They may try to rescue, but it is not out of true concern for the fallen, but rather to boost their own ego and feed their own need for control. They give advice that convey hidden messages of blaming and shaming for the fall. Theu dogwhistle judgemental advices, rather than helpuf advices. They believe they belong to the clan of saviors, but in reality, they belong to the clan of persecutors, and they often act accordingly when their advice is not followed.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "the Falling -2" >>>some fall into darkness, into despair, into the abyss. They fall and they do not know if they will ever rise again, disoriented and unsure of what lies ahead. But even when it occurs that visibility is limited to a single step, there is a spark of hope. However, hope alone is not enough. We must climb our way back up, step by step, with each step being the ultimate goal whenever we can see only one step beyond.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "The Falling - 3" >>> some fall from great heights, bracing themselves for the challenges to come. Yet they rise up as heroes. They do not fear the fall, but strive to grasp at any opportunity. They are the ones who fall with style and climb their way back up with even more style. Is this surfer falling or climbing his way up? Whatever the case may be, he knows the power of resilience.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Helping - 2" >>>Most of us fly to save each other in an awkward manner. We may give advice from our own perspective and strengths, which may not be suitable for the one who is falling. Our intentions may be great, but the result may be catastrophic, misguiding the falling angels and disorienting them from their own primary instincts and insights. We may use the limited energy they have on unsuitable solutions.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Helping - 3" >>>Some definitely do know how to help. They know that to provide help, you must be asked for it, you must be willing to do it, and you must be in a position to do it. They gracefully accept the possibility of failure in doing it, recognizing that it is not about being the hero, but about being a supportive guide.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "The Falling - 4" >>> An angel appears to receive a message of illumination from the timeless chaos of the wave. Whether this message signifies the birth of creation or the final apocalypse, we cannot say. The image captures a moment of ambiguity, in which the boundary between the beginning and the end is blurred, leaving us to wonder how many times we ignore whether something is ending or beginning.”

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Diving in" >>>When it’s time for a dramatic change, some simply step in. They don’t stumble; they dive into the new with a voracious appetite. Who are they? Probably those who had nothing to lose, nothing left behind, and no hope from the status quo. But those who I admire most are those who dive in at the risk of loosing a lot...

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Emerging" >>>When it’s time for a dramatic change, some people emerge from the void where they were once hidden and unknown, unpowered by their circumstances. The change empowers those who are talented and ready to adapt to the new conditions. They are like new particles created from extreme conditions. These individuals are primary movers.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Flight" >>>Change has a way of uncovering our true selves. It’s like a shower that washes away our makeup and dissolves our social masks. We don’t necessarily fear change itself, but rather the exposure of our authentic selves. We fear the tearing down of our protective walls, being seen by others, and perhaps most of all, seeing ourselves. This is why some of us try to fly and avoid the danger of exposing their dark sides and weaknesses.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title :" Freeze" >>>When faced with a dramatic change, it’s natural for us to have questions and doubts. However, sometimes we can get caught up in these questions and begin to overthink and analyze every little detail. This can lead to a state of mental paralysis, where we become unable to take action and move forward. This can be compared to a deer in headlights, frozen in fear when it sees the lights of a car coming towards it.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Fight" >>> Resistance to change can be a powerful force that keeps us locked in the past and fighting against the inevitable. Like modern-day Don Quixotes, we tilt at windmills and fight against the future, convinced that we can somehow turn back time and make things the way they used to be. This resistance often comes from a fear of the unknown, a fear of losing control, or a fear of failure. We cling to what is familiar and comfortable, even if it no longer serves us, rather than facing the uncertainty of change. The problem with resistance is that it can be self-defeating. By fighting against what is inevitably going to happen, we create a sense of frustration and despair that can lead to depression and hopelessness. We may feel like we are on a treadmill, expending energy but not moving forward.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "The Puncher" >>> When we are afraid or in a state of panic, we may lash out in an attempt to defend ourselves, even if it means striking out blindly without considering the consequences. We may also engage in behavior that is ultimately self-destructive, much like the surfer who is falling and seemingly powerless against the forces of the static wave. In the image, the surfer’s eyes are firmly closed, suggesting a lack of awareness or inability to see what they are doing. This can be seen as a representation of our tendency to act out of fear without fully understanding the situation, leading us to make mistakes or take actions that are counterproductive. Ultimately, the image can be seen as a call to be mindful of our actions and to avoid blindly striking out in response to our fears. Instead, we must strive to remain calm and centered, even in the face of uncertainty, and to act with intention and purpose rather than simply reacting out of fear.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Tirle : "Punched" >>> The falling surfer in the picture appears to have been punched, yet he falls with surprising grace and ease, as if he's landing on a cushion. Just like the surfer who falls from the wave, we will all face moments of falling and failure in our lives. However, the way we approach these moments can make a big difference in our ability to recover and move forward. This image could serve as a metaphor for our need to learn how to fall, like judoka first do before practicing any other move, and to be prepared for unexpected yet inevitable major challenges. In fact, falling can even be an opportunity for growth and learning. When we fall, we're forced to reassess our approach and perhaps try a different strategy. We may learn to let go of our egos and ask for help, or we may discover new strengths and abilities we didn't know we had.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title :" Blowing" >>>The power of transformation lies within each and every one of us. It is found in the breath that we take, the decisions we make, and the actions we take. Just like the surfer in the photo, we can all be beacons of change, blowing away the obstacles of the past and ushering in the new. We can all be agents of positive change, without the need for wings. Our actions and attitudes can be like a gust of wind, pushing away the old and making way for the new. We can be the spark that starts a new journey, a new future. Just like the divine figures in classic religious paintings, we can be messengers of change, helping to create a brighter tomorrow. We can all be the catalysts of transformation, helping to create a world that is more just, peaceful, and equitable.

© Giandra De Castro - Image from the The Timeless Chaos of the Falling Angels photography project
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Title : "Blown-up " >>>This surfer is like propelled foward by the wind of change impulsed by an unknown change blower. By welcoming the winds of change, we can be propelled to new heights even without angel wings. Riding the gusts of change can be like riding a wave on a surfboard, the change propelling us forward and sometimes even upwards. With the winds of change comes the opportunity to create something new and to innovate, allowing us to reach our full potential and make a lasting, meaningful difference.