LASP Hosts Mexico’s Consul General
The Latin American Studies Program (LASP), an affiliated program of the The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, hosted Emilio Rabasa Gamboa, Mexico’s new Consul General in Boston, for a conversation on the Colectivo Comunitario de Fotografia of San Pablo del Monte.
The group of young women in the south of Tlaxcala, Mexico, ranging in age from 13 to 23, are learning to use photographic techniques to portray the essence of their community: traditions, daily life, characters, social issues and the complex role of women.
The Colectivo Comunitario de Fotografia of San Pablo del Monte is part of a strategy promoted by the Ministry of Culture through its Directorate General of Popular Culture and the Tlaxcala Institute of Culture, aimed at rebuilding the social fabric in locations affected by various social problems, according to Gamboa.
“This is a testament to the support and appreciation for artists and their invaluable contributions to human kind that lives and thrives in this very special city,” Gamboa said. “I am tremendously enthusiastic about this project because it is young women becoming creators and narrators of their own destiny. I am proud of these strong, creative and fearless young women and I know you will be too.”
Director of Latin American Studies Adela Pineda moderated a discussion including Gamboa and several members of the Colectivo Comunitario de Fotografia of San Pablo del Monte who were able to join the conversation via a Skype call. Audience members had the chance to ask the members of the Colectivo questions about their photographic process.
Prior to the June 28, 2016 event, photos taken by members of the Colectivo Comunitario de Fotografia of San Pablo del Monte were on exhibition in at the Pardee School.
“This is more than an exhibition, it’s a way of presenting American society with a truly, very important part of Mexico — something this is seldom seen, something that is not acknowledged or known outside of even their own community,” Gamboa said.