Balance on the zero

Ecuador, 2011. After a heavy hailstorm in “La Carolina” Park, in the north of Quito

Ecuador 2011—2013
Walking along the equatorial line, the centrifugal forces pushing both north and south are equal, making it difficult to maintain balance. During the presidency of socialist Rafael Correa, Ecuador found itself in a similarly precarious equilibrium between progress and the weight of its past. On one hand, Correa’s new Constitution, the nationalization of oil resources, and significant investments in infrastructure set the country on an unprecedented path of cultural and economic transformation. On the other hand, the legacy of centuries of resource exploitation, international interests, and conservative forces continued to exert their influence. In this fragile balance between past and future, the country has sought to build a new identity, still in the making. My visual research has focused precisely on this constant tension between transformation and inertia, between the drive for change and the weight of stagnation.

NFT’s of the series are available HERE.

Ecuador, 2012. Seashell collectors in San Lorenzo bay

Ecuador, 2013. General Elections held on February 18, 2013, in Quito when the incumbent President Correa was re-elected by 57% of the vote.

Ecuador, 2011. Oil pool in the area around Lago Agrio. There are many other –and still visible– pools caused by Texaco/Chevron’s oil operations between 1964 and 1992. The environment and the health of indigenous populations were entirely destroyed in this area. The inhabitants of the region and the Ecuadoran government filed a lawsuit against Texaco/Chevron for 12 million dollars.

Ecuador, 2013. Bullring of Ambato

Ecuador, 2011. Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda in southern Quito.

Ecuador, 2012. A fishing boat in the port of Jaramijò. The harbor of this fishing village is being expanded as many other ports, for a project commissioned by Correa to support the local fishing.

Ecuador, 2012. San José beach

Ecuador, 2013. Jugglers promoting DirectTV, a paid broadcast satellite service in Latin America, during a match of the Ecuadoran national football team.

Ecuador, 2012. Housing for the workers of the Refinería del Pacífico, a structure co-owned with Venezuela which has not been finished due to shortage of investments. It is expected to process 300,000 barrels on a daily basis.

Quito, Ecuador, 2013

Quito, Ecuador, 2013. Quitumbe bus terminal

Ecuador, 2012. A farmer is burning his lands in Crucita

Ecuador, 2012. Atacames beach

Ecuador, 2013. Members of the Waorani indigenous community inside the “untouchable zone” of the Ecuadorean Amazon, a small area protected from any external intervention. There are some 400 Taromenane and Tagaeri indigenous people who have shunned contact from the civilization.

Ecuador, 2011. The port of Manta

Ecuador, 2013. Carnival celebrated by Afro-Ecuadorian communities in the Chota Valley

Ecuador, 2012. New bridge built in 2010 in the Caráquez bay. President Rafael Correa invested the income received by the government from oil activities, turning Ecuador into the country with the best road system in the region.