alwaysland

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Argentina | Saturday, October 9, 2010 | 5 photos

I have always been moving, changing. But for the last years, I tried to stop. Couldn’t. My shape continued to mutate and my old snake-like skin had to be left behind. My senses are workaholic and my imagination needs to be fed. And I need awe at least once a day; it is the basis of a healthy diet (together with chocolate).
I refuse to grow up and dry. I believe in nothing except people and the possibility of playing along this short life. Harm nobody, respect everything, tolerate the differences and learn from them. Then, just be free and find joy everywhere!
I took these photos at Iruya, in the Argentinian province of Salta. As soon as I arrived, I was overwhelmed by the huge mountains that aimed at the skies, in a battle with the clouds, sometimes seemingly whispering gently at them. Iruya has a unique atmosphere, with the mysterious and melancholic scarce air floating through the quiet valleys, hiding hundreds of years of a fading culture amongst the clouds. The need and the hard work, the solitude of the harsh conditions and the isolation derived from the hostile geography and lack of infrastructure. It seemed a gloomy place to me, where children were silenced and the clouds and mountains were constantly tensioning the air with a suspended threat. Yet, when the sun comes out and lightens up the daisies, going through the edgy paths to the next village is a spiritual renewal that your smile won’t be able to resist. You leave the place, but you urge to go back. I will.