The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - A grandmother walks her grandson to school as they walk...
A grandmother walks her grandson to school as they walk past an abandoned... READ ON
The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - A woman poses in the ruins of an old church that has been...
A woman poses in the ruins of an old church that has been on her property... READ ON
The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - Petorca prison. Cárcel de Petorca.
Petorca prison. Cárcel de Petorca.
The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - Clotilde tells that medical science had evicted her....
Clotilde tells that medical science had evicted her. While she was in a coma... READ ON
The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - Mother and daughter keep hope in a cozy embrace. Madre e...
Mother and daughter keep hope in a cozy embrace. Madre e hija mantienen la... READ ON
The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - A parishioner hopes to see the "Chinese"...
A parishioner hopes to see the "Chinese" dances. They pray that... READ ON
The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - Parishioners pray for the water to return. Feligreses...
Parishioners pray for the water to return. Feligreses ruegan para que retorne el agua.
The silent and lonely death in the avocado valley - An old photograph of the orphanage where one of the...
An old photograph of the orphanage where one of the residents of Petorca grew... READ ON
I have been told stories in which the Virgin has fallen into a dream saving a dying devotee. I wonder what will become of her now; how are her grandchildren and if they have gone to the funeral of their once resurrected grandmother.I imagine the birds flying over the animals that died of thirst and their owners by suicide.I feel the dry earth penetrating my eyes.I have heard stories from the valley and I have seen the water run again between stones thirsty for justice.I have crossed empty bridgesI have seen hope standing.
Petorca (Valparaiso region) is the epicenter and place of reference for the water crisis that Chile is surviving. Between the theft of water for the mainly agricultural industry (avocado crops) and the lack of rain, this small town wanders between life and death and leaving is not an option in all cases.

Me han contado historias en que la Virgen se ha dejado caer en sueños salvando a una moribunda devota. Me pregunto que será de ella ahora; cómo estarán sus nietos y si habrán ido al funeral de su otrora resucitada abuela.
Imagino las aves volar sobre los animales  que murieron de sed y sus dueños de suicidio.
Siento la tierra seca penetrando en mis ojos.
He escuchado historias del valle y he visto el agua volver a correr entre piedras sedientas de justicia.
He cruzado puentes vacíos,
He visto la esperanza en pie.

Petorca (región de Valparaiso), es el epicentro y lugar de referencia para la crisis hídrica a la que sobrevive Chile. Entre robos de agua para la industria agrícola (cultivos de paltas) y la escasez de lluvias este pequeño poblado deambula entre la vida y la muerte y no en todos los casos irse  es una opción.


Adolfo Mesías

Adolfo Mesías is a multidisciplinary image-maker born in Santiago, Chile whose work is driven by sociopolitical, ethnic, and environmental concerns. He is a graduate of filmmaking and photographic practice. He has specialized in documentary photography and cinematography, being part of the VII Academy online student with Mónica Allende and Michael Robinson Chavez as mentors and of the Master PhotoEspaña in Madrid in person. The film projects he has been a part of have been shown at international film festivals such as Cinema Du Reel, Dok Leipzig, Locarno, Fidocs, New York Latino Film Festival and Center Pompidou in France. He worked as an international correspondent for SRF (Switzerland) in Chile and is in the post-production process of two documentary feature films where he was in charge of cinematography. He also directs his nonfiction debut titled "Prometeo '' and in parallel works on a trilogy of documentary photo books that addresses the Chilean social outbreak and the subsequent constituent process. The objective of Mesías is to generate awareness and understanding of sociopolitical issues through works that stimulate viewers to reflect on the current state of society to foster support for social justice and positive change.
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