Living History

Please check out Alayna Wood's work in Rabinal, a town that suffered heavily during the Guatemala's civil war.  It looks like a really great project.

Living History is a community project which was created to help comprehend the reality of the indigenous people in Rabinal, Guatemala, who have continually been victims of unspoken acts of violence. Sadly throughout history this has continually been repeated i.e. Darfur, Nazi Germany, Ecuador, etc. We believe that by analyzing post-conflict areas and compiling information with collaboration of the survivors, we are attempting to generate a conscience understanding.

Through working with the survivors and creating a photographic, oral and written archive, we are able to use this information to construct educational tools to further awareness. Memories and images of their loved ones must be chronicled, in order that the world may become aware of the historical events that transpired in the 1980’s. In Rabinal, Guatemala people have almost no documentation or record of their lost family members; their faces live on only in the survivor’s memories. LIVING HISTORY will bring reconciliation to the people of Rabinal and Guatemala so that these torturous acts will not be repeated.

LIVING HISTORY’S research will be the platform for creating a gigantic photographic montage on the walls surrounding part of the local cemetery in Rabinal, Guatemala. Creation of this photo documentary will be the culmination of my envisioned project which will be accomplished through interviews, educational workshops and participatory activities. This artistic research is imperative for the people of Rabinal to understand that THEY are part of history and can play a part in helping this from happening again. This work is monumental and GROUNDBREAKING!!!

And check out the photo gallery.