Memory-making processes through sound art as a way of resistance in Colombia

Abstract

The article aims to analyze the work of art Cantos silentes en cuerpos de madera by Leonel Vásquez as an alternative narrative of the Internal Armed Conflict in Colombia. This narrative resists the hegemonic perception of the past that often ignores the experiences of the victims and seeks to tell the story of what happened from a single perspective. On the other hand, the selected artwork establishes a relationship with the past that highlights the multiplicity of experiences of violence and attends to the voices of the victims. To understand this better, Benjamin’s postulates on history are going to guide the analysis. This case study will contribute to the understanding of how art can create complex memories of experiences of violence through its symbolic language and inclusive character, creating the space for justice in our relation towards the past and the victims of war.