Hector Varela's exhibition, presented by the Embassy of Venezuela in Jordan at the Instituto Cervantes in Amman, gathers in 31 photographs a complete vision of transhumance in the Venezuelan plains. This practice has been declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2023.
Transhumance is a form of pastoralism that consists of the seasonal and long-distance movement of livestock between different geographical or climatic zones along established migratory routes. Every spring and fall, thousands of animals move in herds, guarded by their shepherds, sometimes on horseback and even accompanied by their families and their dogs, always following the same routes. Transhumance is considered to be one of the most sustainable and effective methods of animal husbandry, as it establishes a relationship between man, animal and ecosystem based on ecological balance and a socio-economic model developed over centuries.
The images captured in this tour by Valera have a great aesthetic quality and deep feeling that lead the viewer to a wonderful experience where we are invited to imagine smells, tastes and feelings that make us appreciate one of the most beautiful tasks of man in our Venezuelan plains. Valera's gaze is completely immersed in this activity, since it has been an important part of his life.
Born in 1977 in Calabozo, Venezuela, Barela Casamayor has had the following solo exhibitions "Afro-Venezolanity, an encounter with my roots", "Transhumance, the meadow in motion" and "Devils". He has also participated in more than twenty group exhibitions, both nationally and internationally.
