SP Arte 2015

Be Dammed is a research-based project that explores concepts of Flow and Containment, particularly looking at the interrelations between the planning and construction of large water dams/reservoirs, and mechanisms of social control. Caycedo is focus on these case studies: The currently under-construction hydro-electric dams of Quimbo and Hidroituango (Colombia).

The continuous documentation over time of these large constructions, permits visualizing the effects of mega- infrastructures over the natural and social landscapes; on a local and global scale. Electricity produced will mostly be exported. The molding of nature is the molding of society. Be Dammed is a constellation of projects/case studies that shine on their own, but also accumulate conforming a whole. Caycedo is working on this open/long-term research since 2012. It started in Colombia. She is exploring the interrelations between social repression, and the planning and construction of water dams/reservoirs.

Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water by stopping the flow of a river. By analogy, we can think of repression as a power instance that also interrupts the flow of social and community organization. Today, the con- struction of these mega-infrastructures are affecting nature’s balance and populations in countries like Colombia, Brazil, China and Turkey.

Historically in places like Southern California, Germany, and Spain, community displace- ment is intrinsic to the construction of water reservoirs. Archival and contemporary documents, maps, images and footage; field excursions to reservoir sites; performanc- es exploring the act of interruption and barricading, amongst others, will conform a visual output, that brings to the surface the historical, political, ecological, visual, and economic connotations of these relations.