Ricardo Cases: Paloma al aire

Paloma al Aire (4th edition, 2024) by Ricardo Cases is a vibrant and affectionate portrait of a little-known but deeply rooted Spanish tradition: Colombicultura, the competitive breeding and training of pigeons. In this unique sport, male pigeons—painted in striking fluorescent colors—chase a single female through the skies, not to win a race, but to prove their persistence and charm. The pigeon that spends the most time near the female is declared the winner.

Photographed mostly in the sun-drenched landscapes of Valencia, Murcia, and Alicante, Cases captures the ritual, spectacle, and community spirit that surround these events. Mopeds, dusty roads, and local spectators form an improvised theater of passion and playfulness. Beneath the surface, though, Paloma al Aire reveals something deeper: a loving exploration of everyday Spanish life, far from tourist clichés or media spotlights.

With a sharp eye for color, detail, and irony, Cases elevates a humble pastime into a poetic meditation on masculinity, tradition, and identity in contemporary Spain.