Recovering cultural patrimony of the Barranquilla carnival throughout contemporary design

Ref.: 209
Área temática: 03 Integridad visual de los paisajes urbanos históricos
Fecha de recepción: 25/10/2008

AUTORES (* Autor principal)

DELGADO BARÓN, Tania Catalina * (Colombia) - Universidad Del Norte

ABSTRACT

Forty days before the Holy Week, the Barranquilla Carnival begins and all the activities inside this Caribbean city stop; the citizens get submerged during five days in celebrations where the tradition is the main personage, there is an encounter with cultural roots (dances, characters, music, instruments, etc) which stir up the passion of the people during the whole event.

Despite the emotional connection that Barranquilla has with its Carnival, there are elements which are vanishing, and new practices brought from foreigner cities, are taking part of the young generations which don't perceive the cultural extinction process that is happening. This phenomenon is touching not only the Carnival but also the city; foreign styles in the architecture, clothing, products, etc. are quite appreciated and are becoming strong models which identify the surroundings of the city.

These circumstances are the foundation of this research which has been guided by the program of Industrial Design at Universidad del Norte since January 2008; the main purpose is to involve the Design in the rescue of Cultural Patrimony and, from this point of view provide other methods able to give different answers and practices to this problem, which can become models for other places that experienced the same situation.

The approach to this goal throughout Design is a gradual process which, thanks to the analysis of the patrimony, has provided conclusions of colors, textures, shapes, materials, etc., that have determined the appearance of different products for the modern surroundings of this Caribbean city. With this scheme the products designed acquire values that go further than functionality; they become elements which throughout their features, reflect, keep alive and remind the uniqueness of the Carnival Heritage.

The relationship between consumers and the proposed objects, is focused to create a connection which satisfies not just the obvious functional needs, but also the cultural and spiritual ones, which have not been remembered in places like Barranquilla; here the products are considered merely useful or trendy and people don't perceive all the possibilities and satisfaction that a product can provide according to its design.

In terms of design, this practice will stimulate daily encounters with the identity, which will be present in the objects that make part of the city; the idea is to create a relationship between the Barranquilla inhabitants and the objects of their environment, as deep as their connection with the Carnival. Progressively the benefits will be tangible because people will comprehend the importance of those objects designed for their own contexts with that cultural character and consequently they will finally realize that their Carnival is not just a euphoric celebration during the beginning of each year.

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