Re-imagining Patagonia

 

2012

Blue smurf figurine on green moss, close-up. Child toy contrast with nature. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.
Close-up of Smurf figurine with white hat, with beach, sand and sea in background. Sunset light. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.
Female Smurf figurine on rock next to small green plants with red tips. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.
Glacier and mountain next to sea in background, Smurf figurine out of focus in foreground. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.
Mountains, glacier, sea and blue sky in background. Out of focus Smurf figurine in foreground. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.
Glacier and ice rocks next to water in background. Female Smurf figurine holding racket in foreground, out of focus. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.
Wide angle photo of rocks, sea and mountains with small Smurf figurine in lower right corner, sitting on rock. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.
Old dry tree and trunk next to water, hills in background. Small Smurf figurine sitting in foreground. Part of "Re-imagining Patagonia" (2012) series by artist Paola Cassola.

RE-IMAGINING PATAGONIA (2012)

 

Photographic prints
Variable dimensions

 
 
 
 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 

“Growing up in the 80s, the technicolor world of television, the bombardment of images and cartoons helped shape my views of the world. Among these the Smurfs are still one of the most significant and universally recognisable animations amongst generations. 

To answer those who state: "You are a product of your environment", I reply that how we disseminate that information is a whole different topic.

Re-imagining Patagonia matches these blue little animations, one of the most common contrived and symbolic images of my generation to one of the most naturally beautiful lands on Earth: Patagonia. Pictures of it and of the mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers of Torres del Paine, the 200.000 hectares of National Park, elected Unesco Reserve Biosphere in 1978 end up on posters and postcards that travel the world. So far away and mythical this land attracts naturalists and scientific researchers all year round. It is a great responsibility for Chileans and Argentinians to preserve such a natural Paradise. This makes me question myself about the crucial connection we have, as human beings, with the land we live in. Are we aware of the potential of such uncontaminated and unexplored lands and are we doing enough to preserve them, to preserve our future?”