Photo © Zonia Zena
Culture - NOMINEE: Zonia Zena
La musica en la muerte
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The work presented is a documentation of a tradition in Latin America. Two countries are visually documented, Peru and Mexico. The Day of the death celebrations take place in November. I've been going there for the past three years and has been an incredible experience, culturally enriching and visually interesting.
I've chose to photograph this celebration because I feel it brings a point of connection from pre columbian rituals into modern times. Music plays an important role within this context, Music and the absence of it makes this a unique experience to document and I've been putting more emphasis on it.
I am of Latin american roots and I am constantly in the search of points of connection between different places I've been, the sense and need to belong somewhere takes me to these places. My work is a reflection of this search. My objective is to reach an honest understanding of this topic. It is important to comprehend why people do the thing they do; to me is of great interest to reach an intimate level to be able to continue documenting this tradition.
About author:
I was born in Lima Peru, moved to the United States where I continued my studies. Graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts with concentration in Photography. My area of interest is documentary photography focusing on portraiture.
On 2011, I was awarded a Fulbright grant and created a project on Latin American Immigration in Spain. I spent a year gathering interviews and documenting it. I exhibited this work in Spain and part of it in the USA. I am also a Fundacion Botin grantee; I spent together with other 13 artists, two weeks in Santander creating and exploring along with artist Lothar Baumgarten. Both were great experiences which enriched and reinforce my commitment to my artistic vision.
I’ve been living in Peru for the past four years.
At the moment, I own an organic cafeteria in Lima Peru. I wanted to create a place where organic food and responsible habits are promoted. I was able to develop other qualities that I find interesting as well, such as designing, cooking and managing a small business.
Other interests I have are on printmaking. While on university I was able to create mix media with bookmaking, photography and printmaking. I continue doing it.
I've chose to photograph this celebration because I feel it brings a point of connection from pre columbian rituals into modern times. Music plays an important role within this context, Music and the absence of it makes this a unique experience to document and I've been putting more emphasis on it.
I am of Latin american roots and I am constantly in the search of points of connection between different places I've been, the sense and need to belong somewhere takes me to these places. My work is a reflection of this search. My objective is to reach an honest understanding of this topic. It is important to comprehend why people do the thing they do; to me is of great interest to reach an intimate level to be able to continue documenting this tradition.
About author:
I was born in Lima Peru, moved to the United States where I continued my studies. Graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts with concentration in Photography. My area of interest is documentary photography focusing on portraiture.
On 2011, I was awarded a Fulbright grant and created a project on Latin American Immigration in Spain. I spent a year gathering interviews and documenting it. I exhibited this work in Spain and part of it in the USA. I am also a Fundacion Botin grantee; I spent together with other 13 artists, two weeks in Santander creating and exploring along with artist Lothar Baumgarten. Both were great experiences which enriched and reinforce my commitment to my artistic vision.
I’ve been living in Peru for the past four years.
At the moment, I own an organic cafeteria in Lima Peru. I wanted to create a place where organic food and responsible habits are promoted. I was able to develop other qualities that I find interesting as well, such as designing, cooking and managing a small business.
Other interests I have are on printmaking. While on university I was able to create mix media with bookmaking, photography and printmaking. I continue doing it.