This exhibition, presented on the exterior of the National Museum of Anthropology, explores the rich cultural and social manifestations of Andean carnivals, focusing on the mascaradas of northern Chile. It delves into the historical and symbolic significance of these celebrations, which blend indigenous identity with Christian traditions.
The National Museum of Anthropology's Fiesta de las Culturas Andinas culminated in this exhibition, "Carnavales Andinos," which was displayed on the museum's external wall. It focused on the carnival expressions of northern Chile, following an earlier showcase of Peruvian carnival traditions. This exhibition aimed to present the rich cultural and social fabric of mascaradas celebrated from February onwards along the Andes mountain range.
The celebration of Andean carnivals, particularly in the arid regions of northern Chile, offered a pause from daily life to connect with the festive human spirit. These festivities, rooted in the heritage of South American civilizations, uniquely merged elements of indigenous identity with Christian traditions, creating a syncretic expression. The carnival is seen as a reflection of life, fertility, abundance, the earth, and the divine. The photographic work of Rodrigo Villalón featured in the exhibition emphasizes the historical and symbolic weight of both the photographs themselves and the events they capture, illustrating the deep cultural significance of these celebrations.