When you explore the Asturian mountains, you expect to find breathtaking views with towering peaks, idyllic fields in deep green, or a peaceful herd of cows grazing quietly. Maybe, if you’re lucky, even a well-preserved “teito” to complete the perfect postcard. What never crosses your mind is stumbling upon a rather sinister mannequin, tied to a black mesh fence, wearing an expression of deep existential sadness that conveys a sense of resignation and chronic defeat.
As if that weren’t disconcerting enough, the final touch is a wig that might as well have come straight out of Yurena’s dressing room. And this is where the magic of Asturian rural ingenuity comes into play: anything goes when it comes to protecting one’s crops, even turning to this kind of avant-garde scarecrow.
As for its effectiveness as a field guardian, I can’t offer statistics, but as a visual magnet for a quirky photographer like me, it was a total success. Resisting the urge to photograph it was simply impossible. While this image might not be the most polished gem in my collection, I have to admit it’s one of the ones I enjoyed capturing the most.
The element of surprise, the contrast, the unpredictability… they always bring added value. So from here, my sincerest congratulations to the genius who turned their land into an unexpected runway of the unsettling.
