Chascomús – A Satori Photo Journey

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As water levels drop, photographer Jonathan Barberi explores the intersection of nature, art, and human impact on the landscape in the Argentinian lake city of Chascomús, employing a Satori Pictorialist aesthetic in this striking photo essay for Sublime Magazine.

The drying of lakes due to climate change is a growing global concern with far-reaching consequences. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and prolonged droughts, driven by climate change, are causing lakes to shrink or vanish altogether. This phenomenon disrupts ecosystems, threatens biodiversity, and impacts the livelihoods of people who rely on these water bodies.

Chascomús, which means “saltwater” or “many salt lakes” in the indigenous language Mapuche, is located in the Pampas region, 125 kms from Buenos Aires city centre. Its touristic development derives mainly from its homonymous lake and the biodiversity of its surrounding ecosystem, which was hugely affected in the recent years by water loss and precipitation disruption. Moved by this, Jonathan Barberi created a photo essay to make a social and political statement with the aim of empowering the local community to protect the flora and fauna of the lake.

The following photo captions are taken from an original poem by Jonathan Barberi.

In Pictures


A shipwrecked system that leaves us cast away.


Surrounded by mirages and flooded dreams today.


It’s the Pacha who resists and on her feet she stands.


Between shiny cowbirds and the wildest pampas lands.


She’s been laid waste and bled out to get her inherent richness.


Stepping over the tenderness of any reverent witness.


Stranded on the present shore, my brothers give their last breath. Their cries remind us of our inborn thirst for death…

 


Poem by Jonathan Barberi.

Sorrow

A shipwrecked system that leaves us cast away
Surrounded by mirages and flooded dreams today.

It’s the Pacha who resists and on her feet she stands
Between shiny cowbirds and the wildest pampas lands,
She’s been laid waste and bled out to get her inherent richness
Stepping over the tenderness of any reverent witness

Stranded on the present shore, my brothers give their last breath
Their cries remind us of our inborn thirst for death…

Versión en español disponible. Léelo aquí: SATORI


About the Photographer

Jonathan Barberi is an Argentinian photographer and visual artist. He explores contemporary and experimental photography as a medium for social and political critique, utilizing eco-sustainable techniques that reflect a style reminiscent of paintings and other visual arts. He has collaborated on research projects at the University of Buenos Aires and currently works as a photographer and archivist at the Naum Knop Foundation. His works have been showcased on national and international collective exhibitions.

Article Translation by : Micaela Iribarren Pisos

 

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art&culturebiodiversityclimate changeCultureIn picturesPhotographyTravelwater

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