Emilio Nasser photographs and video on La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan, 2016-2022

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Summary

Creator:
Nasser, Emilio, 1980-
Abstract:
Emilio Nasser (1980- ) is a documentary photographer and multimedia artist originally from Argentina and currently based in Switzerland. Collection consists of 24 inket color photographs, one six-minute digital video, and a reproduction of a field notebook, all part of Nasser's project to document a local legend about a river creature called "La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan" and the social aspects of legends, mythologies, and collective memory. Images include views of the river and its waterside town, Tlacotalpan, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and portraits of individuals wearing a large headdress representing the creature. Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts Awards collections at Duke University.
Extent:
.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
789 Megabytes (1 mp4 video file)
Physical description:
The color photographs were printed on 300-gram Fine Art Inkjet Photo Rag Hahnemuhle paper.
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.12007

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of a set of 24 color inkjet photographs measuring 8 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches, one six-minute digital MP4 video, and a 28-page color photocopy reproduction of a field notebook. They all form part of a documentary project by artist Emilio Nasser to explore the social and cultural dimensions of the legend of the "Cornuda de Tlacotalpan," a river monster with a large mouth and fangs who lives in the Papaloapan River in Veracruz, Mexico. Nasser's field notebook includes sketches created by locals, who are shown in the video as they draw the creature and talk about what it means to the community. Photographs include river and waterside town views and a series of portraits of local individuals wearing a large headdress representing the creature.

Biographical / historical:

Emilio Nasser (1980- ) was born in Argentina and is currently based in Switzerland. Nasser graduated in Photography at Spilimbergo School of Applied Arts in Argentina. His work has been exhibited widely, and he has been twice awarded grants by the Fondo Nacional del Arte (Argentina). For his work on "La Cornuda," he received the Archive of Documentary Arts Award at Duke University.

About "La Cornuda" project:

"The central idea of the project on the legend of La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan was to re-imagine the story in the face of its possible disappearance: involving the community of Tlacotalpan in Mexico and its memory, to re-invent the story through a collective, playful and participatory re-construction. La Cornuda, that mysterious being who lives in the depths of the Papaloapan River in Veracruz Mexico, who appears to disappear, who frightens, scares away and explains the unexplained. In its attempt to survive the forgetfulness of modern times, it makes a decision that requires courage. Leaving the river, crossing the threshold of the shore, transforming itself, and entering into Tlacotalpan's town dimension. While La Cornuda walks around invisible to the eyes of the community, the photographic lens reveals its new life.

La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan documentary project is part of an ongoing series called "Memory is a Swamp" (2016-ongoing), envisioned as a series on myths, urban legends, local stories and oral histories - adopting, retelling and re-interpreting these narratives in a changing contemporary world, trying to open a space for experimental visions, re-framings and collaborative working contexts."

[Source: Adapted from statement supplied by the artist]

Acquisition information:
The Emilio Nasser photographs and video on La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2022.
Processing information:

Processed and described by Paula Jeannet, June 2022. Accession(s) described in this collection guide: 2022-0065.

Arrangement:

The photographic prints are arranged in the order received from the photographer.

Physical facet:
24 photographic prints
Dimensions:
8 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Emilio Nasser photographs and video on La Cornuda de Tlacotalpan, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1943k