Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography Images of the Month – October 2020

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Gina Santi PhotographyImages of the Month – October 2020

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During a recent trip to the central region of Colombia I ran into a very complete, well organized jewel of a museum: the Archeological Museum of Zipaquirá (MAZ). The building encompasses three large rooms permanently exhibiting more than 3500 original archaeological pieces representing nineteen pre-Hispanic cultures that had settlements in different parts of Colombia before the Colonization.

As an anthropologist I was overwhelmed with the vast amount of information and attention-grabbing displays. I wanted to photograph every single artifact. MAZ allows photography in its permanent collection galleries because “our artistic legacy is intended to be shared”. Nevertheless, photography inside the building proved to be quite problematical because the surroundings couldn’t be modified and the pieces couldn’t be re-arranged, Also, most objects in the museum were protected by glass, creating annoying light flares that ruined the images.

After spending almost an entire day admiring the collection, I decided to photograph an incredible series of clay plates from the Nariño culture, circa 1000 AD. Their illustrative, symbolic decorations reminded me of the pottery made by Native American communities of the southwestern United States.

Art is a profound source of comfort. The Archaeological Museum of Zipaquirá takes very seriously its responsibility to promote and divulge the variety and beauty of pre-Columbian art. As an authentic point of reference that people can trust, it is an important keeper of Colombian history and culture, helping shape the country’s social identity.

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Durante un viaje reciente a la región central de Colombia, me encontré con una joya de museo muy completa y bien organizada: el Museo Arqueológico de Zipaquirá (MAZ). El edificio comprende tres grandes salas que exhiben permanentemente más de 3500 piezas arqueológicas originales, representando diecinueve culturas prehispánicas que tuvieron asentamientos en diferentes partes de Colombia antes de la Colonización.

Como antropóloga, me sentí abrumada por la gran cantidad de información y exhibiciones interesantes. Quería fotografiar cada artefacto. MAZ permite la fotografía en las galerías de su colección permanente porque “nuestro legado artístico está destinado a ser compartido”. Sin embargo, la fotografía dentro del edificio resultó ser bastante difícil porque el entorno no se podía modificar y las piezas no se podían reorganizar. Además, la mayoría de los objetos del museo estaban protegidos por vidrio, creando molestos reflejos de luz que arruinaban las imágenes.

Después de pasar casi un día entero admirando la colección, decidí fotografiar una increíble serie de platos de barro de la cultura Nariño, de alrededor del año 1000 D.C. Sus decoraciones ilustrativas y simbólicas me recordaron la cerámica fabricada por las comunidades nativo-americanas del suroeste de los Estados Unidos.

El Museo Arqueológico de Zipaquirá se toma muy en serio su responsabilidad de promover y divulgar la variedad y belleza del arte precolombino. Como un auténtico punto de referencia en el cual la gente puede confiar, es un importante guardián de la historia y la cultura colombianas, contribuyendo a moldear la identidad social del país.

Would you like to add these images -and more!- to your fine art collection? To view the entire September 2020 Gallery, and to access the shopping cart, please click on  this link.
Have you ordered your calendars yet?

There is still time to order your internationally acclaimed calendars by Gina Santi Photography, and get them in time for the Holidays!

You can find them in two versions: for your desk, or for your wall! The theme for 2021 is the Carnival in Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: each month showcases vibrant, intriguing images of elaborate costumes and masks, which are the essence of the Venice Carnival. Enjoy these magnificent photographs all year long while knowing you are doing your part to support and elevate the careers of individual artists like yours truly! For more details click on the image below, or send me a message.

Desk Calendar - Cover
For more information, comments, requests, and general feedback, please feel free to contact Gina@GinaSantiPhotography.com
Copyright © 2020 Gina Santi Photography, All rights reserved.

Gina Santi is a freelance photographer born and raised in Venezuela and currently based in Tempe, Arizona. She earned her master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Northern Arizona University and has participated in various events in Northern Arizona, including the annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Visit http://www.ginasantiphotography.com for more information.