Exhibition “Black Water. Stories of a Path” at the Gabriela Mistral Museum in Vicuña
- Gabriela Mistral Museum, Gabriela Mistral 759, Vicuña.
- Until August 31.
The Gabriela Mistral Museum of Vicuña, part of the National Cultural Heritage Service, opened its doors to the exhibition “Agua Negra. Stories of a path”. This photographic and documentary exhibition explores the history and impact of the Agua Negra Pass, a key link between Chile and Argentina. The exhibition has been generated, produced and curated by the Regional Historical Museum “Presidente Gabriel González Videla” of La Serena.
Since its conception in 1865, the Agua Negra Pass has been a witness to the efforts of integration and cooperation between Chile and Argentina. The exhibition “Agua Negra. Stories of a Road”, which opens this Wednesday at the Gabriela Mistral Museum in Vicuña, tells this rich history through photographs and historical documents.
The initiative to build this road originated at the request of Argentine and Chilean merchants, and was ordered by the then Governor of the Department of Elqui, Juan de Dios Pérez de Arce. The road, which replaced old paths, has since facilitated trade and communication between the two countries.
Over the years, various authorities and organizations have revived the idea of linking San Juan, Argentina, with the port of Coquimbo, Chile. Prominent figures such as Federico Cantoni, governor of San Juan, and Gabriel González Videla, deputy and later president of Chile, played fundamental roles in the advancement of this project.
Located at 4,780 meters above sea level, the Agua Negra Pass is the highest international border crossing between Argentina and Chile, and one of the most challenging in the Andes. Although it is only passable during the summer months, its impact on the economy and society of both countries has been significant.
The first study for the construction of a vehicular road was carried out in 1929, under the administration of Federico Cantoni in Argentina. Later, in 1964, work was resumed on both sides of the mountain range, promoted by Leopoldo Bravo, governor of San Juan, and the Roads teams of both countries. The completion of these works took place in 1965, with a significant reopening in 1991, after resolving border disputes between Chile and Argentina.
Mining development in the Elqui region and cattle raising in San Juan were boosted by the construction of this road. From the mid-19th century, cattle raising became a key economic activity for several Argentine towns and for some Chilean merchants, with cattle transported to Chile by herds and, later, by truck to the mining areas in the north.
The exhibition “Agua Negra. Historias de un camino” (Black Water. Stories of a Road) offers a detailed look at these historical and economic aspects, highlighting how infrastructure can foster regional development and cross-border integration.
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