“When the Desert Breathes Again” by Photographer Gonzalo Palaveccino

A behind-the-scenes look at the largest religious festival in northern Chile by photographer and creator director Gonzalo Palavecino. Palavecino left Chile for Dubai in search of education and new experiences, he spent some time in Chicago as well before eventually returning to Chile to work with independent creative agency SORRYMOM. This project represents an effort to offer a different perspective on La Tirana, an intense, crowded, and fleeting period in July where thousands of pilgrims arrive to honour the Virgin of Carmen. It reflects a town that is desolate for most of the year and yet completely comes to life only at this one specific time:

“Beyond the dances, the shimmering costumes, and the devotion, I wanted to focus on what happens behind the scenes: the food stands, the sun-bleached colors, the improvised structures, and the objects left abandoned along the way. As a creative director, my practice has trained me to look beyond the main event and pay attention to context, detail, and what usually remains unseen. Because all of that is also part of the ritual. La Tirana is not just religion; it is a beautiful chaos where the sacred blends with the everyday, where faith coexists with fatigue, commerce, and routine.”