Priscilla Carrion
“El Tatio” is a geothermal field of geysers located in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile in the Atacama Desert (the driest non-polar desert in the world. Where the soil has been compared to Mars.) "Tatio" comes from the Kunza language and means 'to appear', 'oven', or ‘grandfather.' I became interested in El Tatio from learning what extremophiles were. That people can study them in unique places on Earth similar to outer space environments to see what they share really fascinated me. Also, the resilience of microbes to thrive in places once thought to be impossible to survive, and yet there is life there, thriving, just feels so… hopeful. This is added to feelings I have about our lives being part of a much larger piece in a huge space scope. The Atacameño Culture is heavily influenced by Aymara and Quechua cultures. In my own Ecuadorian roots, my ancestors shared similar modes of world views, and indigenous practices/customs with their environment. Also, in the Andes Mountains, they had Cosmovision Earth views tying the breathing living land to the movement of the planets and solar systems. In Ecuadorian June solstice, Inti Raymi, dance and music rituals have spiral patterns that closely mimic those of galaxy evolution spiral patterns. Referring to these geysers as ‘grandpa’ reminded me of all this too. And of our mountains as the Pachamama (mother).
I’m reminded, when thinking about travel and space, that we are privileged guests here on Earth, who get to experience and connect with this land. This had me reflect on El Tatio, the world of science, and on land in the Global South. In looking up the geysers, I came upon mostly tourist blogs and YouTuber couples taking trips to visit so many places. They were majority white westerners, straight couples and tourists sharing and highlighting their experiences. In the videos there were small parts of just geyser shots in the background with the traveler in the foreground, and barely or no local Atacameño peoples. Mostly it was their talking head guide’s descriptions of the trip experience created for them, and many noted they heard about “the attraction” in Trip Advisor under a “top fun things to do in Chile'' lists. Similar to space exploration, the status quo of the geyser “explorers” are Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (W.E.I.R.D), male, white, straight, non-disabled. I am also reflecting on this and interested in the interactions we have now and historically have had in what condescendingly was known as “underdeveloped” places. And how that will be reflected or dismantled in further colonial or decolonial outer space travels and astrobiology research. I appreciate my toe dip of an introduction to these themes and questions, from coming across astrobiologists like Dr. Bonnie Teece and Dr. Linda Billings (among others) whose work in their field is helping to depart away from this status quo in Eurocentric space and academic studies. I appreciate their thoughts on equity in education, and outer space policy.
That’s why I choose to depict a simple diorama landscape of El Tatio. To honor and remember it.
I‘m a multidisciplinary artist based in Providence, RI. Currently, I focus on water-based painting, collage and embroidery from a home studio. My art practice has taken many forms over the years, including youth art mentoring, theater costume sewing, community projects, quilting, painting, printing and creating banners. After reflecting on previous experiences, I am now placing more value on slowing down in my art practice. I acknowledge that my "art practice" goes beyond just creating artwork. It encompasses intergenerational engagement, slow practice, justice work, caring for the environment, ancestor practices, and personal well-being.