Cockfighting, a deeply ingrained pastime in Cuban culture, is especially popular in rural areas and on the outskirts of cities. Gaining access to an illegal fight proved challenging, requiring bribery through a fixer. Navigating a rugged countryside trail, we eventually reached the secluded fighting arena outside Santiago de Cuba.
The atmosphere was chaotic, with shouts and dust enveloping the makeshift reed fighting ring under large trees. Our group, comprising five photographers, was confined within the vast reed cage alongside the roosters. Prior to the match, meticulous preparations included veterinary inspections, weigh-ins, and registration of the roosters. Competitors affixed spurs and wax to their roosters' legs just before the ten-minute fight, overseen by an hourglass.
Throughout the spectacle, a "broker" collected bets, recording names and amounts on paper. The brutality of the match culminated in the death of one of the roosters. This clandestine event shed light on the cultural significance of cockfighting in Cuba, revealing the lengths enthusiasts go to participate in and witness these illegal yet deeply embedded traditions.
Photographer, visual artist, and singer-songwriter, he holds a degree in Decoration from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bari and a Master's Degree in Visual Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Lecce. He studies and collaborates with the reportage photographer Valerio Bispuri.
Professionally working in the fields of art and photography since 2005, he has exhibited his work in both Europe and the United States.
In the field of photography, he primarily focuses on street photography and reportage.
For Joe Pansa, a reportage is a captivating journey into the very soul of humanity. Within the frame, words become the guiding compass, leading us through the authentic lives of real people and the formidable stories etched on their faces.
The beauty and poignant complexity of our world unfold, resonating with the untold stories of distant places and intertwined destinies. Joe Pansa seeks to capture the essence of these narratives, translating them into a visual poetry that, hopefully, transcends the boundaries of language.
It is a celebration of the human experience, a testament to the art of storytelling through the lens, where each photograph reveals stories worth preserving and sharing.
Photography
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Music, arte stand-up comedy
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