Kattaus*

 

*Finnish for Table Setting

 

Caracas 2022

Iriannis has a small sales table. A schoolchild sells cigarettes, chewing gum and candy on the street. Joilver sells cell phone shells next to Iriannis.   I'm sitting next to Iriannis and Joilver in Venezuela Square.    Iriannis, without any special agreement, began to help me and film my actions with my two video cameras.  

 

Iriannis was also a phenomenal director. Joilver sat down to talk with me.   Joilver, a member of one of Venezuela's indigenous groups, had left his home in the south of the country at the age of 12. I tried to offer freedom as a reason, but the man's expression didn't convince me that freedom was the whole truth.    

 

People passing by joined the conversation.  We discussed neighbours, war and peace, religion, philosophy and spirituality. Joilver told me about Afro-Venezuelan rituals, Santeria, Babalo, Palo Negra and many things I don't know. I heard about how the dead have spoken to Joiler and how to connect with the afterlife. 

 

Iriannis filmes and moves the location of the other camera.    

 

The debate about the afterlife, philosophy and religion – photography, started because of the collages, and when I told you that in Chiapas some indigenous people think that taking pictures could steals a person's soul.   The woman dressed in Just do it t-shirt, felt strongly that religion has a big impact on how people feel about photography.

 

One couple came to ask me for a picture with their newborn baby. I told them I was about to give the willing to have my new collages. I was kissed and wished god's blessing.    

 

Joiler told me everything had its own time. I had told him that I had not yet had any real exhibitions with performance pictures, videos and texts in a gallery or museum. I promised to believe that everything had its own time.    

 

What the hell happened here?