It all started on a 1st of May in Berlin, when the Portuguese artist found himself surrounded by packs of young people enjoying the good weather, drinking beer, dancing to techno, and chatting to each other. Since then, he’s been taking photos – usually furtively – of guys he felt were interesting and, especially, of “elements or shapes that I find suggestive and subtly provocative.” Through his gaze, a regular ride on a bus turns into an intimate, even erotic moment.
His faceless portraits arouse the viewers’ voyeuristic desires; they leave us craving for more. But Miguel’s elusive gaze isn’t about voyeurism but about subtlety, intimacy. And also, about protecting his subjects’ identity and, above all, fighting social media’s selfies, which he finds meaningless. In a world of overexposure, Miguel’s work (and book) are a refreshing source of mystery.