#IBmakingart

89 Huicholes

By: Santiago Sierra

Sketch
By: Jordan Sterrett

This compilation of photographs was created by Santiago Sierra and titled, 89 Huicholes. The exhibit shows 84 individual photographs of people that were brought together by 5 rows and 17 columns. These photographs were taken in 2007 in Western Mexico and consist of people belonging to the Huicols tribe in Mexico. The images show individuals in black and white, blank settings with their backs turned to the viewer. Each photograph is at first viewed as the same as all the others, with each person's back turned and in the center of the photograph, in black and white, and lastly all having the same white, plain background. After analyzing each individual photograph more, I realized that each photo consisted of a person with their own unique personality and style. Not one person is the same and we can tell this without even seeing their faces. However, it is apparent that these people may be from the same part of the world because of their clothing. The author's intention by only showing the individual's backs is that he wants the viewer to draw conclusions and fill in the blanks about the people. One must consider why they don't show their faces and what message they are trying to send. After doing research on the Huicole tribe, I realized the message they were trying to send. 

The Huichol tribe is a small tribe of Native Americans in the mountains of Western Mexico. Like many other indigenous tribes, the Huicoles struggle to keep their land rights and their traditions acknowledged. Their way of life has been threatened by the government seizing their land and forcing them into smaller areas of land. They are now pushed to work under bad circumstances, making very little money.  

This background knowledge has led me to believe that the Huichol Tribe has felt abandoned and bullied by the government and the outside world. They are a small tribe and wish to be left alone in peace so now they are turning their backs on the outside world or in this case, the viewers.