La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan

  • Dates
    2016 - 2018
  • Author
  • Topics Awards, Contemporary Issues, Documentary, Editorial, Festivals, Photobooks, Portrait, Social Issues, Street Photography
  • Location Veracruz, Mexico

Based on the unknown legend called "La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan", in Veracruz, Mexico. The project departs from a reinvention of this local history through the imagination of their community.

"Times have changed and the story of 'La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan' has been disappearing. People say that when you don't believe in something, it ceases to exist", chatting in a bar in Tlacotalpan town.

Many people said that La Cornuda is a mysterious being who lives in the depths of the Papaloapan River in Veracruz Mexico, who appears to disappear, who frightens, scares away, and explains the inexplicable. In its attempt to survive the forgetfulness of modern times, it makes a decision that requires courage. Leaving the river, crossing the threshold of the shore, transforming itself, and entering into Tlacotalpan´s town dimension. While La Cornuda walks around invisible to the eyes of the community, magically photography reveals its new life.

The central idea of the project on the legend of 'La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan' was to re-imagine the story in the face of its possible disappearance: involving the community of Tlacotalpan in Mexico and its memory, to re-invent the story through a collective, playful and participatory re-construction.

* 'La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan' is part of 'La memoria es un pantano' (Memory is a swamp), a collection of visual works and research on myths, urban legends, local stories, and oral memory. Adopting, retelling, and re-interpreting these narratives in a changing contemporary world, trying to open a space for experimental visions, re-framing narratives, and collaborative working contexts.

© Emilio Nasser - "La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan"
i

"La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan"

© Emilio Nasser - The project "Memory is a swamp" is a visual experimental researches based on locals stories.
i

The project "Memory is a swamp" is a visual experimental researches based on locals stories.

© Emilio Nasser - The community was spontaneously involved.
i

The community was spontaneously involved.

© Emilio Nasser - The construction of the mask was made with organic elements coming from the margin of the river.
i

The construction of the mask was made with organic elements coming from the margin of the river.

© Emilio Nasser - When I heard about this legend, I did a research based on drawings and video interviews in the village community.
i

When I heard about this legend, I did a research based on drawings and video interviews in the village community.

© Emilio Nasser - How did they imagine the Cornuda?
i

How did they imagine the Cornuda?

© Emilio Nasser - Because in fact nobody has ever seen her.
i

Because in fact nobody has ever seen her.

© Emilio Nasser - In this serie I try to generate a new narrative between these universes of imagination.
i

In this serie I try to generate a new narrative between these universes of imagination.

© Emilio Nasser - The small town of Tlacotalpan in Mexico.
i

The small town of Tlacotalpan in Mexico.

© Emilio Nasser - The legend of the Cornuda was born from the heart of the Papaloapan river.
i

The legend of the Cornuda was born from the heart of the Papaloapan river.

Latest Projects

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Stay in the loop


We will send you weekly news on contemporary photography. You can change your mind at any time. We will treat your data with respect. For more information please visit our privacy policy. By ticking here, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with them. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.