Estallido – Valentina Figueroa

2019 was a year of sociopolitical breakthroughs all around the globe, especially for many Latinamerican countries being Chile one of them. Massive crowds filled up the streets of Santiago and many other regions across the country in October of that year. It all started off with high school students calling out for massive evasions on the public transport once the government announced the second fare increase that year, adding up to the already high cost of living, low wages and a quality of life that only a few have access made a path to the overtime build-up of discontent on social reforms and overall system of 30 years from a big majority of Chileans.

Being a witness and being present while these events were unfolding triggered many memories from past experiences with my own upbringing. Being a dual citizen, Venezuelan and Chilean, and currently based in Santiago, seemed complex from every perspective whenever my opinion was solicited, particularly when the matter goes beyond the recent happenings. I chose to encourage critical thinking regardless of people's political preferences.

Aside from the political turmoil, I was also witnessing the quick response and organization of the creative community in Santiago to partake in the history that was being written. As part of my contribution to the movement, I documented a few of these gatherings, being the one below organized by the awesome Chilean artist Camilo Huinca aka Onlyjoke in his store where he offered a safe space to anyone who wanted or needed a place to share their opinions, concerns, solutions and express their feelings on posters for the upcoming demonstrations.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER!