El videoarte como un elemento cuestionado frente a la explotación minera y la contaminación del agua en la parroquia torata

Abstract

This video art project focuses on the problem of mining exploitation and water pollution in the Torata parish. Through visual and conceptual research, the work seeks to question mining practices and their impact on water sources, vital for both urban and rural areas, as well as for the flora and fauna of the region. The contamination of natural water sources, a direct consequence of mining, puts the health of the inhabitants at risk, who are deprived of drinking water due to the negative results: the use of chemicals and industrial processes that irreversibly contaminated natural sources. The history of mining, along with agriculture, has been one of the fundamental pillars of the world economy, with a gigantic development starting from simple tools such as picks and shovels to large machines such as excavators and load tractors. However, in its process of extraction, purification and preparation of minerals, mining needs large quantities of water, which is contaminated by toxic substances, making its reuse impossible. This phenomenon has become more pronounced in places like Torata, where mining exploitation has reached alarming levels, affecting both the local flora and fauna and the human beings who depend on water for their survival. This damage is reflected in the rivers and streams in the area, which become useless for human consumption and agriculture. The work delves into a critical analysis of this process, highlighting the harmful effects of mining activity, which are reflected in the alteration of the water quality in nearby lagoons and bodies of water. In the context of the work, water is presented not only as an essential resource for life, but as a symbol of the fight for the preservation of the environment. One of its main objectives is to supply the basic needs of all living beings, from fauna to humans, and its scarcity or contamination puts the balance of ecosystems at risk. The artistic work exposes the importance of this natural resource and the serious implications of its contamination, which, far from being an isolated problem, affects the entire chain of life, from animals to the human communities that depend on it. The video art developed in this project is visually articulated with an artistic animation using Blender, a 3D modeling program, as the main tool. The visual language becomes a powerful tool to raise awareness about the urgency of seeking more responsible and sustainable alternatives in mining exploitation. Images and sounds are intertwined to convey the urgency of acting before the consequences become irreversible, calling for reflection and collective action against environmental degradation. This final video art project is not limited to a critique of mining and its impact, but also seeks to influence collective awareness about the importance of protecting water and ecosystems, and how human decisions can modify the course of nature. Through this work, the aim is to raise awareness among viewers about the urgency of rethinking mining as an economic activity, questioning its development without considering the devastating effects on natural resources.