There’s never a dull moment in La Antigua Guatemala. Let me explain. The other day as I am driving back home, I stop because I heard a commotion, similar to a riot, except I knew it was not real because I saw the telescopic mic way up high. Also, there were police and firemen on … Read more
I don’t know if it was a trend at one point or another in La Antigua Guatemala, but I have found several houses in La Antigua Guatemala with Mayan stela replicas as part of the decoration. Above you can see a close-up detail from the Mayan stela replica below. Does anybody know when it was … Read more
Guatemala’s largest photo festival Foto▸30 was inaugurated tonight in La Antigua Guatemala with two photo exhibits: Tribu and Que los muertos hablan.
Foto▸30 is celebrating its 8th anniversary with 30 photo exhibits held through out Guatemala. If you like photography, this is your opportunity to indulge in the universe of the Guatemalan imagery. Don’t miss it, all the events are free!
Here’s a slide show to give you an overview of the Inauguration at espacioce! in the Compañía de Jesús building in La Antigua Guatemala.
What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient… highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed – fully understood – that sticks; right in there somewhere. (source: Inception quotes at IMDb) The scientific study … Read more
Immigrants remittances are shaping the landscape of Mesoamerica with houses and constructions built upon the dreams and hard work of people in search of a better life for their families. Why are so many people from Central America looking for a better life somewhere else? Is life elsewhere? What are some of the causes for … Read more
Not too long ago I visited the exhibit Arquitectura de Remesas, an anthropological, architectonic and photographic study of how immigrants remittances are shaping the landscape in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Of course, many people think immigrants are criminals and/or illegal aliens without realizing that immigrants are just people with dreams of a better life, … Read more
As you walk around Casa Santo Domingo, you find antique and contemporary artworks one after the other without disrupting harmony and a sense beauty. This is proof of high quality of the curatorship. There is classical music coming off from strategically located speakers to provide a peaceful and tranquil soundtrack while you stroll around the … Read more
Hotel + Museo Casa Santo Domingo takes very seriously the museo, museum, part of its name. Not only there are several museums and galleries inside the Casa Santo Domingo complex, but you can find art pieces all over the corridors, gardens, open spaces and of course inside the hotel walls. I believe that it is … Read more
I am so lucky to have among my friends and acquaintances movers and shakers of the Guatemalan society. One such person is Omar Soto, photographer and member of the Antigua’s Photo Club, who captured arresting images of the damages caused by tropical storm Agatha in San Miguel Escobar and Ciudad Vieja, two communities near La Antigua Guatemala, while helping the people of those communities. Afterwards, Omar Soto turned a selection of those photographs into “Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha” (Help and Hope after Agatha’s Aftermath), a benefit and chronicle photo exhibit on display now at Convento Las Capuchinas ruins.
At the inauguration of Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha Omar Soto requested food and cash donation to help the people of San Miguel Escobar and Ciudad Vieja who are still in need.
I am very grateful to know people like Omar Soto, who set an example and inspiration of the things one can do to help others in need.
Below a few shots of the inauguration and a video clip captured by Kara Andrade. I hope that if you are in La Antigua Guatemala right now or in the following weeks, you make the time to visit the Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha.
The Maya were among the most prominent story tellers. The Maya ‘wrote’ just about everything. I am sure that if the ancient Maya scribblers had access to Twitter and Facebook, they would have had busy timelimes; heck they would have used aggregators to fill their lifestream with every imaginable media.
This room with samples of the Maya hieroglyphic writing from San Bartolo (I believe) was another treat available at Casa Herrera on the 2012: Myths and Facts about The Mayan Prophecy conference. Taking this photo was extremely difficult because of the poor lighting conditions and because lots of people were taking photos of the hieroglyphics … Read more
From the self-portrait above it’s obvious I was in quite the “alternative art” mood. But, being at my third art exposition for the night, I couldn’t help it. Saturday was a whirlwind of creative stimulation. First, the “Laberinto de Miradas. Colectivos Fotográficos en Iberoamérca” exposition at the Centro Cultural de España. Next, the grand opening … Read more
The warning came from behind: “Please, we’re really not supposed to be taking photos of the art here.” I had just snapped this picture when I spun around to see who was trying to tell ME not to take photos. 😉 “Hi, I’m Bill Ipsan and I’d prefer if the artwork was not photographed.” Ah, … Read more
In La Antigua Guatemala we are so lucky to have plenty of free culture. The Festival Internacional de Jazz en Antigua and the Festival Internacional de Cultura Paiz come to mind right away, but almost every week or even every day there’s a free event happening in Antigua Guatemala. For those of us who love … Read more
