Propuesta artística, mediante la creación de obra plástica, para generar empatía en la ciudadanía azogueña

Abstract

In an international and local context, that recognizes the need to strengthen local cultural identities, particularly within the complex and rich plurinational reality of Ecuador, and in light of the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, the research-creation problem addressed in this study is: How to produce a visual art work that enhances empathy and cultural identity among the people of Azogues, inspired by a classic artwork that resonates with their traditions and art history? The result is a triptych visual art piece titled “El jardín azogueño” (The Azogues Garden), inspired by El Bosco’s iconic work “The Garden of Earthly Delights”. The selection of this artwork is based on its high iconic value, appeal, and relevance to local tastes, “El jardín azogueño” combines myth, tradition, and local characters in an aesthetic symbiosis of symbolic content, with a view towards creating a visually impactful work that generates empathy in viewers and facilitates identification with the local identity elements. The elements are displayed with a diversity of expressive aspects, while acknowledging the religious aspects that are inherent to the Azoguean idiosyncrasy. The work is accompanied by an analysis that demonstrates how both its thematic and morphological-expressive aspects are a response to the research-creation problem posed, and represent a significant artistic contribution to the town of Azogues, the capital of the province of Cañar in Ecuador.