Mar Sáez: Terza Vita: Lido di Ostia Roma
Reborn in the Roman Sun: photographer Captures Youthful Longing on Ostia’s Shores
Ostia, Italy – After two years of enforced separation, the beaches of Lido di Ostia, Rome, are once again alive with the energy of youth. Photographer Mar Sáez captures this poignant “third life” in her new book, Terza vita: Lido di ostia Roma, a visual ode to the resilience of adolescence and the enduring power of human connection.
Sáez’s lens focuses on the reemerging residents of Ostia, particularly the young lovers who navigate the delicate dance of newfound freedom. Their sensual poses, reminiscent of classical sculptures and paintings, echo the timeless beauty of Rome itself.
The backdrop of Ostia’s sun-drenched beaches, usually teeming with tourists, adds a layer of poignancy to Sáez’s work. The juxtaposition of the city’s enduring history with the transient, vulnerable nature of youth creates a powerful narrative of rebirth and renewal.
Terza Vita is more than just a collection of photographs; it’s a testament to the enduring human spirit and the transformative power of connection.
About the Book:
Terza Vita: Lido di Ostia Roma
Text by Elena Medel
Design: underbau, Madrid
English edition published by Schilt Publishing & Gallery (January 2025)
Spanish edition published by La Fábrica (November 2024)
ISBN 978-90-5330-960-5 (ENG)
ISBN 978-84-10024-37-3 (ESP)
Softcover, sewn and stitched
96 Pages, 12 x 18 cm
£25 | €29,50 | $32.50
[Image of book cover]
For more information, visit:
[Link to Schilt Publishing & Gallery website]
[Link to La Fábrica website]
[Link to Mar Sáez website]
Capturing Youthful Longing in a Time of Rebirth: An Interview wiht Mar Sáez
NewsDirectory3.com: Your new book, Terza vita: Lido di Ostia Roma, offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of young people reclaiming their space after a period of isolation. What inspired you to document this specific moment in time and place?
Mar Sáez: Ostia, with its proximity to Rome and its history as a seaside escape, has always held a mythical allure. After the enforced stillness of the pandemic, I was drawn to capture the energy of young people reemerging, finding joy and connection on those vibrant shores. There’s a sense of longing, of a “third life” unfolding, that I wanted to explore through my lens.
NewsDirectory3.com: Your photographs frequently enough evoke a sense of classical beauty, almost echoing Renaissance paintings and sculptures. Was this an intentional aesthetic choice?
Mar Sáez: Absolutely. Rome, with its layers of history and art, is imbued with classical references. I wanted to draw parallels between the timeless beauty of the city and the fleeting beauty of youth, particularly the sensuality and vulnerability of young love.
NewsDirectory3.com:
The backdrop of ostia’s beaches adds another layer to your work. It’s a space usually bustling with tourists but now carries a different weight. How do you see this setting influencing the narrative of your photographs?
Mar Sáez: The absence of tourists, the quietude of the beaches after the lockdown, creates a unique atmosphere. It emphasizes the vulnerability and intimacy of these young lives, contrasting the permanence of history with the transient nature of youth. It’s a space of both rebirth and remembrance.
NewsDirectory3.com: Terza vita is more than just a collection of photographs; it’s a powerful commentary on resilience, connection, and the human spirit. What do you hope viewers will take away from this work?
Mar Sáez: I hope viewers will find a sense of hope and connection in these photographs. Despite the challenges we face, there is an enduring beauty in the human experience, particularly in the moments of shared joy, longing, and vulnerability.