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ANIMITA

JOSÉ CALBACHO

What is the space we grant Death in contemporary
societies? Mostly feared, covered and neglected,
our communities today do not allow us the space
for grief. Funerals are fast and expensive, we are
burried in foreign grounds together with hundreds
unkown.

The artist uncovers this tabu, by positioning
himself in a public space, disguised as a colorful,
cheerful altar, a place for pride in death. He
dedicated the ritual to all the victims from HIV, a
disease that is still focus for discrimination and
secrecy.

In the style of the traditional divine chanting from
Andean rituals, a list of common names was voiced
during the whole procession, calling upon everyone
that have died anonymously, hidden, or in shame.

14th Media Art Biennial of Santiago

Santiago de Chile, December 2019