The Providencia of Patricio Casassus
Every city has a story written by its inhabitants through its streets, its public areas, its houses and buildings. A story that flows almost without us noticing, and that changes a little day by day. A story that only a few take charge to document.
As in the case of photographer Patricio Casassus.
Since 1977, Casassus has been the official documentarian of the life, the events and the changes of the Providencia commune, in Santiago. A commune with myriad parks, squares and gardens, such as the Park of Sculptures , and with a vibrant cultural scene, which form part of its essence and of the life of its inhabitants.
The exhibit, “Providencia, A View”, collects a fraction of the massive graphic work of Patricio Casassus documenting the life of the commune for more than 40 years.
A historical period of profound changes, reflected in the city and its inhabitants, and which Casassus has had the privilege to record for posterity.
Composed by 53 color photographs, 52 in black and white and 5 gigantic prints - between landscape and portraits- , the exhibit presents a journey through the commune, geographic as well as historic, from 1977 to the present.
The over 100 photographs, many of which have graced multiple commune publications through the years, are distributed along four interconnected halls and dialogue freely but contained, just as the different areas of the commune.
From the images that welcome us at the entry hall, to the intimacy of the hall displaying the oldest images, this exhibition makes us remember, know and re-discover this commune founded over 120 years ago.
Aside from being its official photographer, Casassus has been a neighbor of the commune for most of his life, which bestows his images the expert vision of someone who knows his terrain intimately and presently.
“La Sopería in Barrio Italia”
Those who are not familiar with Providencia will find in this exhibition views of the most iconic corners of this photogenic commune, portraying its unique atmosphere of marked European influence.
And for those who have lived and grown in Providencia, this exhibit will take them on a time trip in which they’ll remember and recognize familiar places, both from the near past as well as from the present (the most recent photographs are from 2019).
It’s impossible not to feel a hint of nostalgia before some of the images, specially those farther in time. Some even elicit sadness, specially those which show places that no longer exist, or which have been destroyed recently, such as Plaza Baquedano and the public library at Parque Bustamante.
Others, such as the works to build the Nueva Providencia avenue, elicit admiration, as much for the enormous work of engineering and construction realized at that time, as for the complete harmony by which those changes - which at the time were feared catastrophic- adjusted and adapted into the fabric of the city over time.
The portraits, on the other hand, showcase Casassus’ ability to capture the close and personal human side of those before his lens, with as much ability as how he captured the essence of the places in his multiple landscapes.
Sculptor Samuel Román and his work “Estela Monumental”, 1993
Just as Enrique Solanich mentions in the message that opens this exhibition, Casassus’ photography does not intend to be a mimesis - it captures a moment and freezes it in time, but it’s the spectator who develops the story around the image, without being coerced by it.
Although many of his photographs may be catalogued as historical documents, Casassus’ images are closer to the postcards taken by family and friends to remember the place where they lived. And this quality makes them approachable, warm, amiable to the public, even in subjects - such as buildings and constructions - which may be in essence cold and distant.
Despite his close link to the municipality, it’s interesting to notice that, with the exception of a photograph of former major Alicia Cañas’ house, the exhibit makes no reference to any of the majors of the commune, removing thus any political hue that anyone may want to attribute to the author or his work.
Rattan workshop on Francisco Bilbao avenue.
With an opening delayed several months due to the difficult social conditions of the time, “Providencia, A View” is an exhibition worth visiting, enjoying and sharing, either to remember the commune that was, or see Providencia for the first time, with fresh eyes.
Event: Photographic Exhibition “Providencia, Una Mirada: 40 Años Bajo el Lente de Patricio Casassus”
Dates: March 12th through the end of May.
Location: Fundacion Cultural de Providencia, Av. Nueva Providencia #1995 (Subway: Pedro de Valdivia)
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am - 7pm; Saturday: 11am - 7pm.
Cost: Free event
More information: (Only in Spanish) http://culturaprovidencia.cl/2020/03/05/providencia-bajo-el-lente-de-patricio-casassus/
Cover image: Providencia avenue in the 1980's
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