Disappearances

Media

Part of Firing squad

Title: Disappearances
Description: This arpillera depicts a scene of detention and violence, representing the forced disappearance of civilians during the Pinochet period in Chile. The artwork uses repurposed materials such as fabric, yarn, and leather to construct figures of blindfolded individuals and armed soldiers, emphasizing both the humanity of the victims and the harshness of the violence depicted. The image of civilians being transported in a truck and the presence of military forces suggest fear, loss, and political repression.

Using recycled materials also gives the piece a strong emotional and symbolic quality, as the fabrics may represent the everyday lives of the people who experienced these events. Some of these materials likely belonged to actual victims or their families, further deepening the emotional connection of the piece.

The background of the arpillera also helps establish its geographic context. The mountains and sun depicted behind the scene may represent the Andes Mountains, which are a major feature of the Chilean landscape. Including these natural elements connects the personal experiences of the people shown in the arpillera to the larger geographic environment in which these events occurred. It may also symbolize how these tragedies were not isolated incidents, but
rather widespread across the country.

Overall, this arpillera serves not only as a piece of art but also as a powerful historical and geographic record of the suffering and resilience of communities during a difficult time in Chile’s history. It prompts the viewer to consider how art can serve as both evidence and resistance in times of injustice.
(Text by Mariah Binion)