El ficus del Parterre, by Ricardo Cases, is the catalogue of the exhibition of the same name held at the CCCC de Valencia. The publication serves not only as a record of the exhibition but also as a cohesive overview of the visual universe the artist has been developing over the years.
Within its pages, Cases brings together several photographic series focused on everyday scenes that might easily go unnoticed by local residents and passersby. Through his attentive gaze, however, these seemingly trivial moments acquire a distinct presence. His approach combines documentary sensitivity with a subtle sense of humor and a sharp attention to detail—hallmarks of his artistic practice.
Many of the series included in this catalogue were previously published as fanzines and self-edited booklets, produced by the artist himself in small print runs. This sustained engagement with the printed format and the editorial process reinforces the intimate and handcrafted nature of his work, highlighting a direct relationship between creation, production, and circulation.
Most of the photographs gathered in El ficus del Parterre revolve around various locations in the city of Valencia, constructing a fragmented yet recognizable portrait of its urban and human landscape. An exception is the series dedicated to “Generes de Punt La Torre,” an emblematic Barcelona-based shop specializing in basic garments, which continues to endure amid the processes of urban transformation and gentrification affecting the city. Its inclusion broadens the geographical scope of the project and subtly introduces reflections on permanence and identity within changing urban contexts.
Overall, the book stands as a compelling body of work that reaffirms Ricardo Cases’ ability to reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary, inviting readers to look more closely at the everyday environments that surround them.
