Remembrance Landscapes

REMEMBRANCE LANDSCAPES PAISAJES DE MEMORIA

CONAVIGUA

Coordinadora Nacional de Viudas de Guatemala

CREDITS Direction and Coordination

Concept Design

FAFG

CONAVIGUA, Laboratorio Perpendicular and FAFG

Graphic and Editorial Design

Architectural and Landscape Design

Laboratorio Perpendicular

Laboratorio Perpendicular / Participatory design process with CONAVIGUA

Drafting

Photography

Laboratorio Perpendicular

Laboratorio Perpendicular and FAFG

introduction

REMEMBRANCE LANDSCAPE In 2003, the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation (FAFG) discovered, in the Military Base of Comalapa, 52 graves with skeletal remains of 220 people. From this location, FAFG exhumed and analyzed each of the skeletals, defining how each was executed and buried, what fractures and bruises they had, and the clothes and belongings found with them in the grave. In addition, they analyzed and documented the DNA of each bone.

From this information, overlapping with information of people who disappeared during the Internal Armed Conflict in Guatemala (provided by their relatives), FAFG has been able to identify and ensure the identity of more than 44 victims.

missing loved ones, and build a future of respect, harmony, peace, and wisdom. The space aims to be a space for children and youth to learn war history and to commit to work for "no repetition".

The projected activities, architectural program and some construction details arise from conducting a participatory design process to recognize the deepest desires of the community of widows and relatives of CONAVIGUA. Using this process as a starting point, we, Laboratorio Perpendicular, developed a master plan that adapts the requirements to the terrain, climate, and natural characteristics of the space. The result will be a project immersed in the natural landscape that invites all to remember and feel, with mixed Unfortunately, 176 skeletals out of 220 exhumed feelings of sadness and joy, fear and peace, with in 2003, have not yet been identified. There is a resentment on what happened and hoping it does possibility to clarify their identity by having more not happen again. In itself, the landscape invites families claiming their missing, more genetic to experience all these feelings, which have been sample of family members, or the definition of of experienced by all relatives after a long period new evidence. Therefore, it is expected to find more matches through time, and return much of the of time by looking for their father, brother, son, mother, etc. Overall, this project pretends to build a skeletal remains back to their families. place where families can feel the presence, justice Thus, while this happens, the Guatemalan Forensic and dignity, for those who they still seek with love and hope to find them.

Anthropology Foundation and CONAVIGUA have decided to build a space for victims and their families, for them to have a place to remember and feel their presence. This space will be built as a Remembrance Landscape in the same place where they were found, the Military Base in Comalapa, at Palabor.

The Remembrance Landscape is projected as a space where family members can remember their

San Juan Bautista Cathedral Location: San Juan Comalapa Colonial catholic church mixing MayaKakchiquel's symbols and traditions.

San Juan comalapa CHIMALTENANGO, GUATEMALA

San Juan Comalapa, is located in the municipality of Chimaltenago, 84 kms. away from Guatemala City. It is located in an area with predomination of ravines and mountains, which permits a moderately cold climate.

Before the colony, Comalapa also known as "Chi Xot" was part of the Maya-Kakchiquel kingdom.

Still today, the population of San Juan Comalapa is mainly Maya-Kakchiquel.

During 1980, in Chimaltenango and mainly in San Juan Comalapa, the Guatemalan Army conducted countless acts of repression, implementing intimidation, persecution, torture, and massacres against civil population. The military garrison was located strategically 1 km away from the main driveway to Comalapa. This garrison was used to control the entry and exit of people, and was place to several events of brutality against civilian victims.

In the present, this town is well known by Mayan artists who have developed a specific style, naif, that is considered one of the most important mayan artistic movements in the country. Even though the town is not a touristic destination in the country, many people come in order to take some of its art pieces.

Many walls of the town describe through murals parts of the history of San Juan Comalapa, mainly related to the struggle for Kakchiquel people in the Spanish invasion and the genocide.

MAYAN COSMOVISION As explained before, San Juan Comalapa is strongly influenced by the Mayan culture, that is related to a very deep spiritualism. Mayan Cosmovision gives importance to four elements: fire (red), water (yellow), earth (black), wind (white), directly related to cardinal points. Additionally, they have a really deep respect and praise mother nature.

One of the main parts of Mayan Cosmovision is Mayan medicine, present in daily life of Kakchiquel community. For them, healing through natural herbs and mayan therapists is essential in order to remain in good condition.

Pictures from relatives of CONAVIGUA, victims of the Internal Armed Conflict.

conavigua

NATIONAL COORDINATION OF GUATEMALAN WIDOWS

Guatemalan organization founded at the end of 1988 by several widows, from repression or disease, from different parts of the country, united due to several years of great injustice and marginalization in order to be listened and to exercise their legitimate rights. (http://conavigua. tripod.com/).

"For us, despite the dead and are not physically in this world, their spirit is with us at all times, supporting our life projects, and helping us be calm and well, helping us to have well-being. Therefore, it is important to understand that we are not alone " (http://www.pbi-guatemala.org/)

For more than 25 years, this organization has contributed to the compliance of peace accords and recommendations of historical clarification.

One of its contributions is to seek truth on human rights violation occurred during the Internal Armed Conflict to indigenous towns and specially mayan women, with actions focused on exhumations and inhumations of the victims. (convergenciawaqibkej. wordpress.com) From 2003 to 2005, CONAVIGUA, together with the Forensic Anthropology Foundation –FAFG organized 49 exhumations in the former military garrison where around 220 skeletals were found. (http://conavigua.tripod.com/). All the exhumations and inhumations were carried with much care.

"To deny the memory has much to do with the lives of our missing relatives. The State does not want to recognize what happened, they want to end the processes of searching and justice, they want to eliminate them from the history..."

CONAVIGUA (published in comunitariapress.wordpress.com)

Part of the work of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation -FAFG is to explain the possible reasons for death to the relatives of the victims.

FAFG

GUATEMALAN FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY FOUNDATION

"Since the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996 ending the Internal Armed Conflict, it has not been possible to undertake an effective transitional justice process in Guatemala. Currently, there are many problems arising from violation, abuses, and crimes committed during the Internal Armed Conflict, which impacts everyday citizen's security.

reparations in which the State plays an active role in the affirmative actions and the creation of a reconciliation processes. Exhumations and inhumations are in themselves means of reparation, in which the members of the community are present and participate to share their experiences.

Non-Repetition: In an effort to avoid the repetition of the violations committed during the Internal Armed Conflict, FAFG focuses on spreading the truth of what has been revealed through Truth: Includes continuing the search on request investigations. Efforts will be made so that society by family members that want to know what happened to their loved ones, with hope of learning claims ownership of its history (text by www.fafg. org). the truth. The FAFG uses their scientifically developed strategy and approach to investigate the whereabouts of disappeared victims, for example military installations and municipal cementeries.

FAFG contributes to the process of Transitional Justice through these steps:

Justice: Justice is the effective realization of the right to justice for victims and their relatives. FAFG conducts investigations and provides substantive evidence of crimes committed to assist in the facilitation in the process of justice.

Reparation: Focused mainly on FAFG’s work for relatives of victims of violence during the Internal Armed Conflict, promoting integral

A natural place, lost in the landscapes of Chimaltenango, only two hours away from the capital city of Guatemala, was

the stage for several and repeated human rights violations during the armed conflict in Guatemala.

REMEMBRANCE LANDSCAPEs PAISAJES DE MEMORIA

Nature witnessed many of the horrors of the Internal Armed Conflict in Guatemala. The remains of those who disappeared at this time are still in a corner of the country, hidden under its nature, perhaps near a military base or buried on the slopes of the sinuous landscapes of Guatemala.

Therefore, natural landscapes invite us to remember where the “disappeared� are. In the landscape, there is so beautiful features that may hide the sorrow lived in the space.

In Comalapa, the Remembrance Landscapes therefore becomes a space for all to find dignity, strength, and memory of their families loss. And, at a side, it gives hope that new generations will know the history and shall not repeat it again.

The Remembrance Landscapes in Comalapa is developed as a project for victim reparation, using a participatory process and involving the families of the victims into the design process. The participatory process was designed in order to include their ideas and ways to dignify the victims, which vary from culture and family. This process helped to design and develop the activities, spaces and symbols that are proposed for the memorial.

The process involved more than forty people, women, men and kids, from the community of CONAVIGUA in Guatemala who participated in the design sessions and contributed with ideas,

concerns, feelings, stories, and wishes to build the space.

The site, where the project would be located, has been constantly used by CONAVIGUA for ceremonial purposes to commemorate Comalapa's victims. In the imaginary of the population of the locals, this place already represents a place to remember and visit their beloved ones, missing victims. For this reason, every "Day of the Dead" (1st. November) they visit this place with the intention to remember and honor them.

The project arises from the need to return the 176 skeletal remains, still unidentified, back to the site where they were found. FAFG has secured funding to arrange the burials and from this arises a comprehensive project seeking social sustainability and maintenance.

THE PROCESS: PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOPS Three participatory workshops took place at Comalapa, Chimaltenango, in the house of one of the members of CONAVIGUA. In all workshops, the room was full of people actively participating and brainstorming in order to conceptualize and

shape the project. Our first workshop took place on August 6, the second one on August 27, and the third when the proposal was approved by the community on Septembre 22, 2016.

PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOPS

3

13

29 women +

participatory workshops

8 men

INFOGRAPHIC - The project in numbers

children

necessities identified

3000

sqm of working area

LIST OF NECESSITIES ACCORDING TO THE PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOPS Monumental Entrance A monumental entrance that gives presence to the whole space is important. An arch symbolizes for them an element to give security to the place. Additionally, a mayan symbol (Cot) should be represented in the entrance into a protected area.

Burials Should be arranged in groups of less than 10 units, building them integrated to the landscape and sights of the surroundings. Additionally, the orientation is important, therefore, the head of the victim should see the sunset and must come first when buried.

Wall of Memory to the victims of Comalapa

It should contain the names of all victims, disappeared and executed during the armed conflict in Comalapa. The names are recorded on the wall, while certain areas are defined for relatives to place flowers and candles.

Ceremony area It is vital to keep the place where CONAVIGUA community, nowadays, use to arrange mayan ceremonies to remember the victims or other important events related to the kaqchiquel culture.

Nimajay Built a few years ago, Nimajay or house of memory intended to give a space to remember the local victims. However, nowadays, it is in disrepair. Therefore it is important to recover it.

Pits Ideal spaces to visualize the history of the site. They are living museums and testify the horror events occurred in the site.

Outdoor stage An outdoor stage is proposed to develop multi-purpose workshops, that includes workshops for the community of Comalapa, CONAVIGUA and also for national and international visitors.

Playground A place for the children accompanying their parents or grandparents to visit the area needs to be develop in order to have an inclusive area, where parents know they are safe.

Dry Toilets Sanitation facilities are needed to host local, national, and international visitors in the place for ceremonies, workshops, and educational visits.

Barbecue area A place for the interaction of people that spend long times on the area and need to prepare some food or medicines during their stay.

Medicinal Plants The need to include some native plants used as medical treatments by the mayan tradition in some areas of the terrain was fundamental to the community.

Cardinal Points A place to establish a clear understanding of cardinal orientation is required in this site to recover Mayan traditions and guide the ceremony.

Clyde Memorial A very important international actor for the project and, in general, for the victim identification of the Guatemalan Internal Armed Conflict, recently passed away. Therefore, part of his ashes will be deposited in the area in honor of his work in Comalapa.

“I loved the way they participated, everyone was engaged and had very clear ideas of what the needs were and how this place will be useful for the community�

FAFG member after the participatory workshop

To Comalapa

To Guatemala City

LOCATION AND GENERALITIES OF THE SITE

2200 m2 aprox.

Owner: CONAVIGUA 800 m2 aprox.

Owner: ROSALINA TUYUC

2400 m2 aprox.

Owner: CONAVIGUA

THE SITE - CURRENT SITUATION Located in Palabor-Tazbalaj, the former military garrison of San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango "became between 1980 and 1983, a detention center where torture and disappearances were carried out" (Rodriguez, J. 2007). Lately, during 2003-2005 mass grave exhumations, carried out by FAFG, openned the history of the site. Additionally,

fotografĂ­a terreno

in 2010, CONAVIGUA inaugurated a small memorial chapel called "Nimajay", or big house, in Maya Kakchiquel language, in order to honor the victims of the state perpetrated executions. Today, some of the pits and Nimajay still remain in the area to show the history of the place.

Pits

Existing objects in the site Sun exposure at midday Wind flows

Sun / Wind High water ponding posibility Waterflows

Water 8% 12% 25% < 25%

Slopes

Site topography

SITE ANALYSIS - not to scale

ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPE PROPOSAL According to the necessities presented in both participatory workshops, the architectural and landscape proposal were designed taking into consideration as a principal concept the integration with the natural landscape. The proposal raises three main areas in the general plan:

MEMORY AREA

The memory area contains several spaces where individual and collective memories of the victims are commemorated. A wall will commemorate the victims of Comalapa and various units of burial graves will give proper burial to victims. The area is intended to be a walk between nature and memory to restore memory and the spiritual presence of those who lost their life during the conflict.

REFLECTION AREA

The reflection area is a place to know the history, reflect and gain spiritual strength. The pits, or graves where all the skeletal remains were found, represent the history of the discovery, the time when this process of repair starts to let families of the victims to know "what" and "how" all happened.

From the pits and trenchers others can learn the stories and reflect on the causes and facts. The reflection area includes a space for reflection and a ceremonial space, allowing Mayan tradition in Comalapa to evolve. At this area, we also remember the person that allowed this investigation to start; Clyde Snow, as he desired part of his ashes to rest in this place.

RECREATION AREA

The recreation area allows to restore the present and future of hope. In this space, we suggest the possibility of children playing, adults sharing their stories and experiences, sharing a meal at the end of the ceremony. At the same time, the recreation area provides a space for social and individual growth for community workshops, conferences and story-telling of Comalapa stories, Mayan cosmology and ancestral knowledge in medicine to new generations.

Within those main areas, a diversity of spaces are placed to meet the need of the community:

0 - Monumental Entrance: Marks the beginning of the journey to the place.

1 - Wall of Memory: Will contain the names of all victims, disappeared and executed during the armed conflict in Comalapa. The names are recorded on the wall, while certain areas are defined for relatives to place flowers and candles.

2- Burials - Will be arranged in small units (6 interments per unit), in order to adapt to the natural terrain without imposing hierarchy or hindering the visual space. Likewise, the burials will face the sunset, as is mayan kaqchiquel tradition, for them to find their way to the new life in this direction.

3 - Nimajay: Would amend its degraded image by using it as the center of the narrative of the memorial complex. Its outside walls will be used as a canvas for different artists from Comalapa, telling stories from art pieces. Its interior will continue recording memories and show through information panels the story of the space.

4- Dry Toilet: Will use dry or latrine system, as it is common in Comalapa, specially as a safe system to use where drainage and water grid is not available. Rainwater will be cleaned and used for washing hands in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;pilaâ&#x20AC;?-like sink. Finally, the construction will be designed to adapt to the nature and materials of the place.

5- Pits: Are spaces to visualize the historic events of the site. For illustrative purposes, it is proposed to develop these spaces as open museums where visitors can learn more about the history of the place and the story of some of the corpses found there.

6- Clyde Memorial: A place where we can remember Clyde as friend and founder of FAFG, where part of his remains in form of ashes will rest.

7- Ceremonial Area: Intends to continue their activities as it does today, keeping its nature and surroundings. This space will only be improved by raising a small platform. In it surroundings it will have a mayan calendar containing the different Mayan Nawals.

8- Playground: Proposed to develop with simple elements: tire-swings, concrete slides, tire and rope hiking games, among others. Each design will always ensure the safety of children and promote the development of their creativity.

9 - Barbecue Area: Is presented as a space for

community and visitors sharing and interaction. At this space they can use the grill to prepare food and sit to eat and rest.

10 - Outdoor Stage: Is proposed to develop multipurpose workshops. This space will allow telling stories from the history of the place, conducting workshops for psychological health, welfare, and other themes that could improve the well-being today of conflict widows and the community of CONAVIGUA and Comalapa.

Ceremony area

Barbecue area

Monumental entrance

GENERAL PLAN - not to scale

Pits

11- Medicinal Landscape: As a result of participatory workshops, it was defined the need to include some plants used as medical treatments by the mayan tradition. Medicine landscapes will be located beside the burial area and the recreation area, to heal both yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s afflictions.

12- Cardinal points: A place to establish a clear understanding of cardinal orientation is required in this site to recover Mayan traditions and guide the ceremony.

Playground

Cardinal points

Nimajay

Outdoor Stage

Dry Toilets

Clyde Burials Wall in memory of the victims Memorial

Trees

Constructed area

Landscape and walk trails

Site topography

PROPOSAL LAYERS - not to scale

MEDICINAL LANDSCAPE - with native species Basil

Rosemary

Camomile

Verbena

Rue

Apazote

Pepermint

Wormwood

Rosemary

Lemongrass

Lanten

Dandelion

Horsetail

Aloe

Valerian

Sweetscented Marigold

* Medicinal landscapes may help the health of the families of CONAVIGUA, the town of Comalapa and additionally contribute to the local economy for those who cultivate and commercialize them for natural products.

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS White Roses

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Polished Concrete

Washed Concrete

White Marbel

Burials / Tables in Barbecue area / Benches

Wall in memory of the victims of Comalapa

Burial plaques/ Wall in memory of the victims of Comalapa

Treated Wood Walking trails [G3]

Mud

Flagstone

Walking trails [G2] /

Ceremony area

Black Steel

Wooden Branches

Information signs / Cardinal Points / Pits/ Doors Nimajay

Bathroom

White background painting

* Pending to define accoring construction costs

Local artist murals Nimajay

Nimajay

[ G1]

[ G1 ]

[ G2]

[ G2 ]

[ G3]

[ G3 ]

[ G4]

[ G4 ]

* Walking trails [G1] and [G4] require only to mow the lawn. The intention is that the existing terrain remains as a natural walk trail.

WALKING TRAILS TYPOLOGIES - not to scale

three main areas

MEMORY AREA

“WE, THE MAYAN PEOPLE, ARE NATURE AND THIS SPACE MUST REPRESENT GRATITUDE TO MOTHER EARTH” “Los mayas somos naturaleza y este espacio debe de ser un agradecimiento a la Madre Tierra”

CONAVIGUA's member - Participatory Workshop - August 6, 2016

A [ G1]

6 [ G3]

4 5

ISOMĂ&#x2030;TRICO INDIVIDUAL [ G1]

[ G4]

[ G4]

3

7 [ G2]

2

1

A' AREA PLAN - not to scale MEMORY AREA

To the right of the memorial complex, walking into an illuminated space, one can find the burial units dispersed in the area between nature and forest trees. Several concrete units keep the bone remains of the unidentified victims. We enter the area and walk through the units without knowing who is who but feeling the presence of those who have disappeared. Beneath, we can see the memory wall, which helps us relate each with one name, we can approach, touch his name.

Surrounded by nature it feels peaceful, sensing and remembering their lives. We can sit, remember, bring flowers and candles, a small gesture of respect and affection.

1. Monumental entrance

2. Wall in memory of the victims

3. Burials

4. Nimajay

5. Cardinal points

6. Dry Toilets

7. Clyde Memorial

Areas

Materials

SECTION - graphic scale

Information signs

1.5

ISOMETRICS 0.2

2.8 1 0.2

1.5

Monumental Entrance

Wall in memory of the victims / Burrials

Rainwater harvesting Dry Latrines

1 0

3

10

2

5

5

1

0.1

Dry Toilets

1.5

0.6 1.55

3.49

3

Nimajay

6.65

Cardinal points

0.3

1

1.59

1.9

3.49

[V1] MONUMENTAL ENTRANCE

[V2] BURIALS AND WALL IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF COMALAPA

[V3] BURIALS

REFLECTION AREA

"during the armed conflict, many people were murdered and buried in this area. We want everyone to know the truth, what happened here is not a lie."

“Aquí asesinaron y enterraron durante el conflicto armado no queremos que se repita NUNCA MÁS! no es mentira, es verdad!”

CONAVIGUA's member - Participatory Workshop - August 6, 2016

A

[ G3]

2

3

[ G1]

[ G2] [ G3]

[ G1]

1

A'

AREA PLAN- not to scale

REFLECTION AREA

To the left of the memorial complex, a dense forest is ceiling to the walk through different elements that allow visitors to meditate and reflect. The pits, that once covered the bodies of many victims are there, open, big, full of stories. Around them visitors can find more information, infographics, maps and pictures of how archaeologists and anthropologists studied the place and defined what happened there. At its side, the ceremonial space shows the spiritual force of this process, which has support the spirit of many women, children, and men.

Here, CONAVIGUA community uses a platform to perform ceremonies to restore their lives and continue with hope searching for their family members lost long ago.

1. Pits

2. Ceremony area

Areas

Materials

SECTION - graphic scale

2

0.4

0.7

0.9

2.6

Ceremonial area

Pits

ISOMETRICS

4.95

1.5

0.2

2.6

5.1

4.95

5.1

1 0

Benches

3 2

10 5

[V4]

ENTRANCE AREA

[V6]

CEREMONIAL AREA

RECREATION AREA

“TREES DO NOT SPEAK BUT THEY HAVE THE EVIDENCE. THEY are WITNESSes FOR EVERYTHING that happened AND FOR THAT REASON WE WANT TO RESPECT THEM" “Los árboles no hablan pero ahí está la evidencia, ellos son testigos de todo lo que pasó y por eso debemos respetarlos”

CONAVIGUA's member - Participatory Workshop - August 6, 2016

[ G3]

1

A'

[ G2]

[ G3]

2

3

[ G1]

AREA PLAN - not to scale

RECREATION AREA

Behind Nimajay, children enjoy the playground, constructed in concrete, tires and wood, with materials and shapes that call their imagination.

In between the bushes, several concrete tables serve visitors to rest before returning to the village of Comalapa. On the other side, you can find an outdoor stage which uses the terrain features to generate seats at different levels allowing good visual to all listeners. Surrounding the stage dozens of herb types are cultivated to serve as medicines for visitors and CONAVIGUA community. This area is composed, therefore, of simple spaces, but allow coexistence with Comalapaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s present, strengthing its community to ensure a future of peace to Comalapa.

1. Barbecue area

3. Outdoor Stage

2. Playground

Areas

Materials

0

SECTION - graphic scale

Tables

Outdoor Stage 4.63

3.94

ISOMETRICS

3.63

2.9

4.6 5.2

4

1

7

1

3 2

10 5

[V7]

CHILDREN AREA

[V8]

OUTDOOR STAGE

A

REMEMBRANCE MEMORIAL ISOMETRIC

Phase I Community Intervention

Medicinal Landscape / Walking trails / Cleaning, mantainance and harvesting / Toilets

Funded Intervention

Wall in memory of the victims of Comalapa / Burials / Nimajay doors and painting / Clyde Memorial / Ceremony area / Cardinal points / Dry Toilets / Outdoor stage

A'

Phase II Cleaning, mantainance and harvesting / Toilets Information Signs (2.5m / 7m) / Playground / Barbecue area / Pits

Medicinal landscape Outdoor stage Nimajay Entrance Square Entrance Arch 1 0

3 2

10 5

In memory of ALL the victims Guatemala October 2016

For the non- repetition

CONAVIGUA

Coordinadora Nacional de Viudas de Guatemala