Curatorship:
Franklin Aguirre @_cosmofrank_

Artists

Colectivo arte y conservación: Paula Andrea Romero y Emmanuel Laverde @arteyconservacion_
Gina Daza @ginadaza

The personal experience of trekking through the páramo of Ventaquemada, Boyacá—specifically in the Bojirque area, La Piñuela sector—is something I have done for many years, as my maternal family is from this land. In this personal haven, trees diminish in size, yielding to small shrubs that open the way to rosette plants of the frailejón family, which are vital for the planet. Among their key characteristics is their self-protection mechanism: layers of dead leaves, rather than falling, cling to the stem to form a protective barrier against harsh weather, providing nutrients and shielding the inner trunk.  During this journey, I found a place to rest. Sitting there to take in the panorama, details such as sunlight filtering through mist, violet and blue hues, and the wind whispering through plants composed a visual and auditory symphony that wrapped me in serenity. My mind was freed from worries as I immersed myself in the simplicity of existence, discovering truths hidden in silence and finding moments of reflection to heal past wounds.  From this intimate connection with these ecosystems arises a metaphor linked to the fires of early 2024 in the Berlin páramo (Santander), where over 300 hectares were burned. The site presented a heartbreaking sight resembling a black-and-white image: charred frailejones, debris-laden ground, incinerated plants, and a gray sky. Life seemed lost.  Nearly a month later, evidence showed that the core of these plants remained alive. Thanks to their defense mechanism, their interiors stayed safe, manifesting in small sprouts of life and color amidst a bleak landscape.  Disconnection, tragedy, pain, and destruction are overshadowed by this act of resilience—a clear metaphor for the force of life and our capacity to heal. It serves as an unmatched symbol of hope, reminding us of our fragility while showing that every experience is like the armor of the frailejones: a layer that enables self-care, love, and healing to keep growing despite adversity.