Invisible-Invencible
Unlike the famous Panama Canal, Darien is defined by its lack of passage, particularly the notorious gap in the Inter-American Highway, where the jungle engulfs the road. The dangers of Darien—dense jungle, spillover crime from Colombia, illegal activities, and human rights issues—are better known than its natural beauty, keeping it remote and mysterious.
Undaunted by the perils, Castrellón and Salazar undertook eight trips over four months in 2015, using a shared approach, camera, and film. Their images capture the vibrant, quieter side of Darien, revealing a lighter and more colorful palette than existing visual records. Focusing on simple elements showcasing the interdependence between locals and nature, their photographs address tensions between communities, the environment, and external forces, such as resource extraction and coexistence with border police.
Rooted in invisibility and invincibility, their joint project aims to encapsulate Darien's dichotomies. The region remains invisible to Panamanians' everyday reality, feeling invincible due to its impenetrability. How to capture unseen tensions in a place with layers of history and a regenerating jungle? It's a daunting task that Castrellón and Salazar valiantly tackle. Their photographs offer a unique perspective, distilling the sculptural possibilities of the landscape and highlighting overlooked details, making the province somewhat less daunting and slightly less remote.
Photographs: Raphael Salazar & José Castrellón
Original text: Paula Kupfer
Taxonomía de un paisaje
In 1980, philosopher Michel de Certeau described a city constantly reinventing itself, shedding the past, and challenging the future. While not about Panama City, his words resonate with the isthmian metropolis. Panama City, in its ongoing identity quest, continually constructs and reconstructs, expanding in all directions.
Raphael Salazar's photo series, "Taxonomy of a Landscape," captures the city's evolution from strict architectural lines to finding aesthetic beauty in construction materials. The photos reveal an ironic spirit, questioning elements like a royal palm in a maritime setting. Salazar's critique of rampant construction also uncovers moments of appeasement. Recent photos show fabrics covering constructions like conciliatory flags. The images suggest focusing on the process and charm of unfinished work, shifting from the desire for city representation to refocusing the gaze.
Photographs: Raphael Salazar
Original text: Paula Kupfer