COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light)

COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land Of Light)

"COLOMBIA, tierra de luz" (Colombia, Land Of Light) - www.colombiatierradeluz.org consists of a series of symbolic acts of support for victims of violence and those who are displaced in different parts of Colombia, through the medium of photography and art. As it is well known, violence and forced displacement in Colombia has been one of the most worrying and most direct effects of the armed conflict for over five decades.

Although the conflict is mainly due to the combination of consumption of narcotics in the first world, and the consequence of decades of social inequities, it has derived, inside the country, into weapon trafficking, unjust land ownership and money laundering. Indeed, the on-going nature of these aspects has led the country to a continuing spiral of violence. Recently, the Colombian Historical Memory Centre released ‘Enough Already! Colombia: Memories of War and Dignity’. The report documents that between 1958-2012, armed actors produced at least 220,000 deaths, 4.7 million internal displaced, 6.6 million hectares of land usurped and 27,023 kidnappings!

Nonetheless, a sense of protection for all the victims of violence is developing, through new politics and social movements: the legal and moral need to act in relation with what conflict has left behind. Most important, the Colombian Government and guerrilla FARC-EP right now are seated in La Havana, Cuba discussing the agenda to end the conflict and aim for a sustainable peace. Thereby, a sustainable process after conflict must be implemented if Colombians want to change their history and truly built solid bases for the future.

During the interventions (artistic actions, poetry workshops, celebrations and testimonials records), villagers (peasants and indigenous people) express their thoughts and emotions through words, gestures and singing while they help to construct and lit up the sculptural objects and scenarios using consuming light, lanterns, mobile devices, candles and bonfires.

The documentary and interpretative photographs made are indispensable as vessels for memory and imagination for children, teenagers and adults who participate in the actions. Thus, the photographs made of light (through the process of capturing light by the camera) are considered as memorials when copies of them are given to each family to be hanged in their houses.

The selection of locations for the interventions (i.e. Amazonas, Guajira, Chocó, etc.) reflects Colombia's rich variety of multicultural groups, regions, landscapes, climate, historical context, traditions and celebrations, geopolitics, as well as social problems and different armed groups.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Santa Rita, 8 kilometers from the Magdalena river, in the department of Magdalena, Colombia, is 90% abandoned and nearly entirely destroyed. Over 11 years ago, Colombian paramilitary groups drove the inhabitants out in order to poach their land and livestock. They burned roofs, doors and windows, and destroyed the few belongings and little pride that the villagers had. They also tore down the light posts to keep the village in darkness and ensure there were no witnesses to the atrocities committed. Many years later, villagers begin to return in the hope of rebuilding their lives and the dignity which was taken from them and in the hope of leaving solid bases for their families' futures. The intervention in Santa Rita consisted in illuminating all the homes in ruin simultaneously for nearly two hours - through a simple wick system - to simulate the idea that the village was alive once again. Thus the whole village was alight with hope. Each abandoned house contained heat and a home within its walls as a symbol of return. The entire population took part in the intervention. The villagers were generous and hospitable as they told their stories: first expressing their feelings and memories in a discussion group, then turning on the lighting system and being protagonists of the recording: elders, adults, teens, children and babies were present and attentive.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

It’s known that leopards need a lot of territory for their habitat. In the Oriental plains of Colombia, some owners of oil palm tree plantations are leaving many hectares to the animals to move freely. In contradiction, millions of displaced population have seen how their territory is taken or are forbidden to return back. I invited a watchman to paint with light one of the buses called “calambucos”.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

The luminous installation represented a virtual border to be crossed while healing, reconstructing memory and inviting for hope. The community made active part in constructing the installation. Children and adults played with the LED cables used to enlighten the sculptures.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

A backhoe excavator’s driver holds on the palm of his hand a gold-coated miniature replica. The purpose of the action was to think about the damage he was making to the environment. At the moment he couldn’t hold his hand in the air, the message was delivered.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Santa Rita, 8 kilometers from the Magdalena river, in the department of Magdalena, Colombia, is 90% abandoned and nearly entirely destroyed. Over 11 years ago, Colombian paramilitary groups drove the inhabitants out in order to poach their land and livestock. They burned roofs, doors and windows, and destroyed the few belongings and little pride that the villagers had. They also tore down the light posts to keep the village in darkness and ensure there were no witnesses to the atrocities committed. Many years later, villagers begin to return in the hope of rebuilding their lives and the dignity which was taken from them and in the hope of leaving solid bases for their families' futures. The intervention in Santa Rita consisted in illuminating all the homes in ruin simultaneously for nearly two hours - through a simple wick system - to simulate the idea that the village was alive once again. Thus the whole village was alight with hope. Each abandoned house contained heat and a home within its walls as a symbol of return. The entire population took part in the intervention. The villagers were generous and hospitable as they told their stories: first expressing their feelings and memories in a discussion group, then turning on the lighting system and being protagonists of the recording: elders, adults, teens, children and babies were present and attentive.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

The family of Patricio was pushed to move away from their parcel, leaving the land, the house and the animals behind. They established in Montelíbano, Córdoba but couldn’t adapt. Thus, the family decided to go back to Aguas Vivas in despite of the sorrow. Animals are one of the most important resources for peasants in the countryside. Animals provide money, transport and company to villagers in Colombia. The intervention consisted in playing with the rams, putting strings of light on top of their bodies while recognizing the space of the farmyard.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Santa Rita, 8 kilometers from the Magdalena river, in the department of Magdalena, Colombia, is 90% abandoned and nearly entirely destroyed. Over 11 years ago, Colombian paramilitary groups drove the inhabitants out in order to poach their land and livestock. They burned roofs, doors and windows, and destroyed the few belongings and little pride that the villagers had. They also tore down the light posts to keep the village in darkness and ensure there were no witnesses to the atrocities committed. Many years later, villagers begin to return in the hope of rebuilding their lives and the dignity which was taken from them and in the hope of leaving solid bases for their families' futures. The intervention in Santa Rita consisted in illuminating all the homes in ruin simultaneously for nearly two hours - through a simple wick system - to simulate the idea that the village was alive once again. Thus the whole village was alight with hope. Each abandoned house contained heat and a home within its walls as a symbol of return. The entire population took part in the intervention. The villagers were generous and hospitable as they told their stories: first expressing their feelings and memories in a discussion group, then turning on the lighting system and being protagonists of the recording: elders, adults, teens, children and babies were present and attentive.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

To commemorate the World Refugee Day in Colombia, we gave a memory and poetry workshop to the community. We asked the people to remember what object did they take with them when they had to escape from violence. In this case, the woman took a vessel to peel the maize.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

For these series I create nocturnal photographic portraits of ex-paramilitary, demobilized ex-guerrilla and of displaced farmers, during long exposures of light. The long exposures of the camera's shutter imposes on the person's body the necessity of movement due to the discomfort of being still for an extended period of time. However, to move is to 'damage' the photo, blurring the identity of the person being photographed.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Rogelio had to flew away from Marquetalia, Tolima 15 years ago consequence of violence. He had to begin from zero in Manizales and then moved to Bogota. Nowadays, he is a rich guy who gives jobs to many people by selling electronics parts. For the photo, I used my iPhone as a LED torch to simulate he was a firefly. This scene was inspired in some stories told by kidnapped policemen who were released by the guerrilla last week. They said, they used fireflies while they were escaping so they could see during the dark hours.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

The location of these small white pyramid shaped houses on the sloped side of Sancancio hill in Manizales (historically uninhabited and untouchable) reminds us of a village which has been abandoned in the face of violence and lets us imagine a new one: a village built out of necessity rather than through reasoning. The mountain’s difficult topographic conditions aptly created a further paradox. The analysis is, therefore, a back and forth: what disappears and what then appears. The temporarily invaded neighbourhood in the imaginary of the city from far away (the whole city), and from close up (Palermo, upper class borough, and Fatima, lower middle class borough) generates consciousness and brings up concerns. Positioning a possible setting or human drama as reality based on the artistic and special creation as a technical (and conceptual) device.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Santa Rita, 8 kilometers from the Magdalena river, in the department of Magdalena, Colombia, is 90% abandoned and nearly entirely destroyed. Over 11 years ago, Colombian paramilitary groups drove the inhabitants out in order to poach their land and livestock. They burned roofs, doors and windows, and destroyed the few belongings and little pride that the villagers had. They also tore down the light posts to keep the village in darkness and ensure there were no witnesses to the atrocities committed. Many years later, villagers begin to return in the hope of rebuilding their lives and the dignity which was taken from them and in the hope of leaving solid bases for their families' futures. The intervention in Santa Rita consisted in illuminating all the homes in ruin simultaneously for nearly two hours - through a simple wick system - to simulate the idea that the village was alive once again. Thus the whole village was alight with hope. Each abandoned house contained heat and a home within its walls as a symbol of return. The entire population took part in the intervention. The villagers were generous and hospitable as they told their stories: first expressing their feelings and memories in a discussion group, then turning on the lighting system and being protagonists of the recording: elders, adults, teens, children and babies were present and attentive.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

We constructed and photographed some doors in the middle of the desert as an invite to return to Wayuu tribes from the Guajira, Colombia, who crossed the border to Venezuela escaping from violence in Bahía Porte (Northern Guajira). "Ainküin" means entrance or doors in Wayuunaiki languaje.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Sara Siquiva became a widow after the guerrilla killed her husband. In despite of the sadness she worked hard to rise up her children. As Sara’s family, other families attending the workshop used light to create a self-portrait. Each of them interpreted a treasure or dream built up with light. In this case, as Pachamamas of Light, Goddesses of the Jungle.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

The intervention consisted in gathering around a bonfire to read poems and sing songs. At the end of the activity, the bonfire got extinguished. Some words pronounced during the poetry workshop: "By these days, for once more, we Colombians hope for the long wanted Peace to come. We have to accept our differences and be able to recognize ourselves as equals. For sure we will achieve to heal the wounds and weave our country again, to make nation and rebuild the life." Meanwhile, the presence of a person appeared as a backlight of the smoke.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

The inaugural step of the project was with farmers and with returnees of the Bloque del Magdalena in la Finca La Sombra, corregimiento El Retén in Magdalena Department, Colombia. 95 families cultivate and share 584 hectares of oil palm which were confiscated from drug traffickers by the Dirección Nacional de Estupefacientes (National Department of anti-narcotics) and handed over through Incoder (The Colombian Institute for Rural Development) to the new owners who came together through Coorpalmapaz cooperative. This is a powerful message to the national and international community that peace and reconciliation are possible. After years of violence, perpetrators and victims, still tied to the past, are now building a new future for their children, building on their latent hope of living in harmony. The objective of inviting them to light candles and place them in different positions on a map of Colombia symbolizes the real will for this message to spread throughout the country.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Every year, Ofelia Naranjo and her husband, build a manger scene for Christmas. All the objects, toys and accesories used are recycled, repaired, given or found... but never bought! This celebration, is a light of hope for the family and their neighbours, in despite of difficulties.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

We constructed and photographed some doors in the middle of the desert as an invite to return to Wayuu tribes from the Guajira, Colombia, who crossed the border to Venezuela escaping from violence in Bahía Porte (Northern Guajira). "Ainküin" means entrance or doors in Wayuunaiki languaje.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

Luz Mery is a social leader from Tutunendo, Chocó, a gold mining area. She understands education as a solid foundation for her family. She travels daily to Quibdó, capital of the department to study Public Management at the SENA. Luz Mery is a natural leader thanks to her charisma, knowledge and beauty. Her daughter helped us to lit up her jewelry and face. The object helps to multiply the brightness of the scene by revealing her features: lips, cheek, eyes and hands.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

The intervention consisted in gathering around a bonfire to read poems and sing songs. At the end of the activity, the bonfire got extinguished. Some words pronounced during the poetry workshop: "By these days, for once more, we Colombians hope for the long wanted Peace to come. We have to accept our differences and be able to recognize ourselves as equals. For sure we will achieve to heal the wounds and weave our country again, to make nation and rebuild the life." Meanwhile, the presence of a person appeared as a backlight of the smoke.

© Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo - Image from the COLOMBIA, tierra de luz (Land of Light) photography project
i

For these series I create nocturnal photographic portraits of ex-paramilitary, demobilized ex-guerrilla and of displaced farmers, during long exposures of light. The long exposures of the camera's shutter imposes on the person's body the necessity of movement due to the discomfort of being still for an extended period of time. However, to move is to 'damage' the photo, blurring the identity of the person being photographed.

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