Samayuio: The spirit of Quito’s River

Quito, Ecuador. Since 2019.

I have had recurring dreams of water since I can remember. They appear like a clock alarm from time to time. This last time, between 2017 and 2019, the water was present in the Historic Center of Quito. I dreamt it on the streets like a river, I saw it sprouting from the Pichincha, raining furiously and covering the hills.

I went to therapy and did dream analysis. I researched about the city’s geography and discovered a dying waterfall: Jatuna (Chorrera), whose flow goes into a canyon: Ullaguangayacu (ref. Water and hawks) and reaches the great river of Quito: El Machángara (The Great Serpent). These dreams became a project and life mission.

In this photo/graphic project, the Brugmansia arborea (Wantuk) – power plant, protector of spaces – is a portal to other perceptions. It allows us to see the death of water, which transforms into a spirit and takes back its original space climbing up the canyon. The water rises towards its origin, reaches the Taita: “Rucu Pichincha” (Old Father) and transcends to the life source from where it will fall again to continue revitalizing the city.

About the project

Ullaguangayacu, the Canyon of Vultures, was a natural waterway until the beginning of the XX century.  It originated at the spring of Jatuna (In modern times called La Chorrera) and ended in a connection with the Machangara River in the sector of El Sena, Quito – Ecuador.  This canyon has been filled in for the most part: an aqueduct replaces and follows the form of the old canyon to become 24 de Mayo Avenue, erasing all traces of nature.  The spring, which in present times is in danger of extinction, was very important for our ancient indigenous people because it represented a direct communication with the Pichincha volcano:  their guardian, guide and life source.

“Samayuio” originated from a series of reoccurring dreams that the author has had about the historic centre of Quito since 2017.   It began with a research on Quito’s ancestral society focusing on its cultural practices that related to the value and symbolism of water. To illuminate this research, the author chose the medium of photography in combination with watercolour. It became the chosen symbolic water medium for this project which then integrates with photography to highlight the lost Jatuna stream covered over by landfill. The author participated in numerous dialogues, walks and meetings with members of the community on the slopes of Pichincha.

This project aims not only to bring attention to our disappearing waterways in present times but also hopes to generate dialogue and raise awareness about how our contemporary lifestyle converges with natural space, environmental conservation and natural resources that affect present and future generations.

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International Awards and Official Selections

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Relevant information about the project and its activities:

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