El 19 de enero de 2024, 207 años después de la épica hazaña del Cruce de los Andes que consolidó la liberación de los pueblos de América del Sur, un robot revolucionario junto a su ejército insurgente de artistas, ingenieros y baqueanos, recrearon la histórica odisea sanmartiniana en busca de su liberación.
Por primera vez en la historia de la humanidad, un robot de exploración terrestre cruzó los Andes atravesando picos de más de 4500 metros de altura con la misión de instaurar una práctica tecnológica de resistencia decidida a romper con modelos de innovación modernos de violencia, opresión y explotación. Guanaquerx es un proyecto artístico-tecnológico, una performance colectiva y emancipatoria concebida a partir de una “cosmotécnica andina” que ilumina futuros posibles para todos humanos y no-humanos que cohabitan el planeta.
On January 19, 2024, 207 years after the epic Crossing of the Andes that consolidated the liberation of South America, a revolutionary robot along with its insurgent army of artists, engineers and local baqueanos reenacted Jose de San Martin’s historic journey in search of its freedom.
For the first time in the history of humanity a land exploration robot crossed the Andes mountains navigating peaks above 15,000 feet with the ultimate mission of establishing emancipatory technological practices that resists the unmaking of our planet. A future-oriented declaration, Guanaquerx is both multi-day performance/expedition and a collective artistic feat aimed at promoting an 'andean cosmotechnics' that fosters the conditions for all earth-beings to flourish.
"Lo que no me deja dormir no es la oposición que puedan oponer los enemigos sino el atravesar estos inmensos montes"
– José de San Martín.14 de Junio, 1816
“What does not allow me to sleep is not the strength of our enemy, but crossing these immense mountains”
– José de San Martín. June 14, 1816
Concept & Lead Artist
Paula Gaetano Adi
Robotic Development
- John Suh, New Horizons Studio (NHS), Head
- Miguel Grassi, Guanaquerx Lead Robotics Engineer
- John Strong, NHS, Lead Mechanical Design Engineer
- Zach Nobles, NHS, Lead Robotics Control Systems Software Engineer
- Tomas Grassi, Guanaquerx Software Engineer
- Jordan Rozendal, NHS, Product Design Engineer
- Michael Webber, NHS, Mechanical and Electrical Design Engineer
- Pierre Maurer, NHS, Manufacturing and Test Engineer
- Qotayba Alrayes, NHS, Robotics Control Systems Software Engineer
- Varit (“Ohm”) Vichathorn, NHS, Robotics & Mechatronics Engineer
- Henry Cole, NHS, Electrical and Electronics Design Engineer
- Noah Hedding, NHS, Power Electronics R&D Engineer
- Kyle Cesare, PickNik Robotics, (former) Sr. Robotics Engineer
- Lovro Ivanov, PickNik Robotics, Robotics Engineer
- Michael Wrock, PickNik Robotics, Robotics Scientist
- Davide Faconti, PickNik Robotics, Robotics Architect
- Griswald Brooks, PickNik, Senior Robotics Engineer
- Mark Moll, PickNik Robotics, (former) Director of Research
Film & Video
- Berny Garay Pringles, Producer and Camera Operator
- Emanuel, Camera Operator
- Facundo Bustamante, Sound Operator
- Arturo Delgado, Drone Pilot & Operator
- Pavel Romaniko, Photography
- Alejandro Borsani, Astrophotography & 360 video
Artisans & Local Makers
- Leo Pelegrin (Malon Bikes), Bamboo Craftsman & Designer
- Javier Bustos, Sound Artist
- Hermanos Kuter, Flag Design
- Teresa Diaz, Textile Artisan
- Arminda Suarez, Textile Artisan
- Daniela Suarez, Textile Artisan
- Yanina Suarez, Textile Artisan
- Pablo Martin, Textile Artisan
- Gustavo Ortiz, Wood Prototyping
- Isabel Perez, Flag Maker
- Rosa Perez, Flag Maker
- Facundo Vila, Robustito & I3D
Baqueanos & Expedition Guides
- Ramon Ossa, Expedition Coordinator (Explora Parques)
- Diego Ossa, Expedition Lead (Explora Parques)
- Mario Tapia, Baqueano
- Ricardo Suarez, Baqueano
- Vicente Espinosa, Baqueano
- Horacio Tello, Baqueano
- Gaston Parra, Baqueano
- Emiliano Tello, Baqueano
- Eduardo Espinosa, Baqueano
- Walter Valdevenite, Baqueano
- Enzo Vergara, Baqueano
- Tania Aguilera, Baqueana
- Eugenio Tirado, Baqueano
Research Team
- Martina Schilling
- Ignacio Heredia
Graphic Design & Web Development
- Philip Bayer
- Tiger Dingsun
Educational Team
- Claudio Alessio, Education Coordinator
- Federico Amarfil, Instructor
- Julieta Mercado, Student Escuela Obispo Zapata
- Bruno Olmos, Student Escuela Obispo Zapata
- Eliseo Rosales, Student Escuela Obispo Zapata
- Luciano Farias, Student Escuela Obispo Zapata
- Luis Farias, Student Escuela Obispo Zapata
- Ignacio Varela, Student Escuela Obispo Zapata
Support & Production Team
- Sarah Cunnigham, RISD Vice Provost, Strategic Partnerships
- Miguel Lastra, Hyundai/RISD Project Manager
- Danielle Lilly, RISD Office of Strategic Partnerships
- Lali Gaetano, Guanaquerx Local Project Manager
- Sheila Arellano, NHS, Content Creator
- Zoli Kauker, New Horizons Studio, Lab Manager
- Jake Bernal, New Horizons Studio, Sourcing & Procurement
- Julie Park, New Horizons Studio, Chief of Staff
- Kyle Kirves, PickNik Robotics, Senior Project Manager
Acknowledgments
- Joanne Stryker, RISD Dean of Experimental & Foundations Studies
- Miguel Licciardi, Asociación San Martiniana
- Mario y Vittorio Vatteroni, Turismo Vittorio
- Ivanna Rivas, Escuela Obispo Zapata
- Leonardo Storniolo, Ceras San Juan
- Veronica Borsani, Infographics
- Franco Zacha, Yastay Illustration
- Louis Hand, Design Assistant
- Priscilla Ybarra, Expedition Chronicler
- Ijlal Muzzafar, Expedition Chronicler
- Jorge Perez, Expedition Doctor
- Danzantes Virgen de Andacollo
- Los Guanaqueros:
- Pato Marun,
- Pebi Zimmerman,
- Ing. Lucho Cernuda,
- Bocha Golberg
- Graciela Adi & Néstor Gaetano, Life Logistics
- Vicente & Ale
- Deolinda Correa & Lida Hernández
