It’s September, a month of celebrations, which is why Fundación Glaciares Chilenos has important news to share with our community.
First, we are on the cusp of the 8th Annual International Polar Film Festival (PFF), taking place from September 23 to 27, 2024. Alongside International Polar Week APECS, the United States Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (USAPECS) is organizing the 2024 edition of the festival. Over five days, the International Polar Film Festival will showcase footage related to the polar regions to the general public and the wider research community.
The second piece of news is that the short film “Paños de Agua Azul” [“Cloths of Blue Water”], directed and produced by Helena Valenzuela-Astudillo, has been selected to be part of the Official Selection at the eighth edition of the PFF. This fills us with pride, as Helena was a collaborator at our foundation and participated in various educational projects during her time with Fundación Glaciares Chilenos. Below, we present a brief review of the short film from the creator herself.
Criosféricas is pleased to announce the release of its first short, “Paños de Agua Azul”, directed and produced by Helena Valenzuela-Astudillo. This 14-minute documentary immerses us in the fascinating creative process of artisan Marcela de La Vega, who—thanks to funding from the 2023 National FONDART—has brought to life an artistic project that fuses textile tradition with glaciological science.
Originally, from Coyhaique, Marcela de La Vega is recognized for her deep connection with Patagonian nature. In “Paños de Agua Azul”, the artist invites us on a sensory journey through her textile creations, where natural fibers are intertwined with innovative materials inspired by glaciers. Through ancestral and experimental techniques, Marcela captures the beauty and fragility of these ice giants, paying homage to their existence in a world in constant change.
Behind the scenes of “Paños de Agua Azul” with Marcela de la Vega / @Helenas.va
Behind the scenes of “Paños de Agua Azul” with Marcela de la Vega / @Helenas.va
A bridge between Art and Science
To bring this ambitious project to life, Marcela relied on a network of artists, communicators, and researchers specialized in the cryosphere. This interdisciplinary collaboration has enabled the exploration of new forms of artistic and scientific expression, fostering an enriching dialogue between both disciplines.
“Paños de Agua Azul” is more than a short film; it’s an invitation to reflect on the importance of preserving our natural and cultural heritage. Through the lens of Helena Valenzuela-Astudillo, we discover a world where art and science intertwine to create works that move and inspire us.
To learn more about the work of the contemporary textile artist and protagonist of this audiovisual piece, visit Marcela de la Vega
You can watch the short film “Paños de Agua Azul”, now available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhwY_DB7ZBo
