Collaborative Network
Social Connectivity: Las Mujeres del Desierto
Collaborative Construction
The essence of ‘Regeneration Strategies’ is rooted in the seamless integration of ancestral knowledge and local craftsmanship. The construction of the sculptures is carried out in collaboration with Las Mujeres del Desierto (Women of the Desert), a multifaceted collective of artisans specializing in raw earth construction.
This group provides invaluable technical expertise in adobe handling and manual modeling, ensuring that each shelter is a unique piece, perfectly adapted to the thermal and structural conditions of the terrain. Our previous collaboration in the Andes Mountains demonstrated that the use of local materials not only minimizes the carbon footprint but also fosters a sense of community ownership and protection over the work. In the Pampas plains, this bond deepens by utilizing the earth of the site as the primary building material to provide shelter for native species.
Social Impact & Sustainable Craftsmanship
Master Bioconstructors: Ricardo Tamalet & Froilán Paz
The structural soul of the project is guided by the expertise of Ricardo Tamalet and Froilán Paz, bioconstructors specialized in social and community-driven projects. Their practice goes beyond traditional building, focusing on the democratization of sustainable construction techniques and the use of natural resources to solve housing and environmental challenges.
In ‘Regeneration Strategies’, their role is fundamental in bridging technical precision with ecological ethics. By mastering raw earth, wood, and organic fibers, they ensure that the Estación Pampas del Zonda is not just an artistic intervention, but a functional model of low-impact architecture. Their trajectory in social projects brings a deep understanding of how collaborative building can strengthen the resilience of a territory and its people.
Regional Team in the Zonda Valley
The realization of this project in the Zonda Valley is made possible through the essential collaboration of local workers. Their deep knowledge of the terrain and their mastery of traditional construction techniques are fundamental pillars in the materialization of these interventions in the landscape. This collective effort establishes a vital social network, bridging contemporary art with the living heritage of the community.
Pictured in the sequence: Pia Ghigliotto and Soledad Palomba (Mujeres del Desierto), alongside bioconstructors Ricardo Tamalet and Froilán Paz, and artist Charly Nijensohn, during a field session.
Emanuel Ramirez, Alejandro Zapata, Facundo Fuentes, Osvaldo Fredes, Jonatan Figueroa
Scientific Collaboration & Ecological Monitoring
The intersection between artistic creation and scientific research is central to the project’s philosophy. By partnering with CONICET, the National University of San Juan (UNSJ), and international institutions, the station operates as a living laboratory where contemporary sculptures double as active environmental monitoring tools.
The station’s scientific integrity is led by Dr. Carlos Borghi and Dra. Stella Giannoni (CONICET/UNSJ), who focus on the long-term monitoring of native wildlife in the Zonda Valley. This framework is reinforced by naturalist Claudio Bertonatti, providing expertise in natural heritage and cultural education, and ornithologist Dr. Frank Steinheimer (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), bringing international rigor to bird behavior and habitat restoration. Together, they ensure a global standard in conservation ethics and scientific communication.
Dr. Carlos Borghi
Scientific Director
Carlos Borghi, a prominent biologist and senior researcher at CONICET and the National University of San Juan, provides expert leadership in arid-zone ecology and wildlife conservation, ensuring the scientific integrity of the station’s environmental monitoring.
Dra. Stella Giannoni
Scientific Director
Stella Giannoni, an esteemed ecologist and researcher at the National University of San Juan and CONICET, contributes extensive expertise in biodiversity management and desert ecosystems, focusing on the long-term protection of native species within the Pampas plains.
Dr. Claudio Bertonatti
Scientific Advisor
Claudio Bertonatti is one of Argentina’s most renowned naturalists and museologists, providing a deep perspective on the intersection of natural heritage and cultural education.
Dr. Frank Steinheimer
Scientific Advisor
Frank Steinheimer, a leading ornithologist and head of the Central Repository for Natural Science Collections at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, brings international scientific rigor to the study of bird behavior and habitat restoration.
Dra. Stella Giannoni and Dra. Mariana Allasino preparing for a field inspection.
Ezequiel Eskenazi & Arte Bestial
As the driving force behind Arte Bestial, Ezequiel Eskenazi has been instrumental in fostering a unique intersection between art and the raw landscape of San Juan. Through his vision, the project finds a platform that values monumental artistic interventions as a means to explore and celebrate the sublime power of nature.
Arte Bestial Sculpture Park
It stands as a production and thought platform dedicated to the creation of monumental-scale works in extreme natural environments. Under the direction of Ezequiel Eskenazi and curated by Fernando Farina, the project promotes a physical and conceptual dialogue with the vastness of the territory, transforming the perception of space and reclaiming the power of artistic intervention as a sublime and transformative experience.
Bodegas Xumek
More than a winery, Bodegas Xumek represents a profound commitment to the Zonda Valley’s ecosystem. By providing the physical and logistical territory for these sculptures, they act as guardians of the landscape, ensuring that the dialogue between the artwork and the desert remains rooted in respect for the local environment and its heritage.
Credits
A collaborative project by:
Ricardo Tamalet & Froilán Paz
Ezequiel Eskenazi & Arte Bestial
Las mujeres del desierto
Zonda Community
Charly Nijensohn
With the support of:
Stiftung Kunstfonds
NeuStart Kultur
Akademie der Künste
Bodegas Xumek
Ezequiel Eskenazi & Arte Bestial
Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, UNSJ
Scientific Consultants:
Dr. Frank Steinheimer
Dr. Claudio Bertonatti
Scientific Directors Research Station Pampas del Zonda:
Dr. Carlos Borghi
Dra. Stella Giannoni
Curator:
Fernando Farina
Regional Team in Zonda:
Emanuel Ramirez
Alejandro Zapata
Facundo Fuentes
Osvaldo Fredes
Jonatan Jesús Figueroa
Las Mujeres del Desierto:
Desiree De Ridder
Eileen Cowes
Patricia Alisio
Goga Dodero
Nancy Genoves
Mariana Otero
Elisa Gaona
Pia Ghigliotto
Soledad Palomba
Olivia Nazar Anchorena
Special Thanks:
Atilio Rodriguez
Rodolfo Garcia
Guillermo Centeno
Juan Pablo Ferlat
Carlos Gómez Centurión
Antonio Ramirez
Carlos Figini
Marula Di Como
Diana Wechsler
Pablo La Padula
Silvia Rivas
Andres Paredes
Teresa Pereda
Quinta Esencia
Christian Tiscornia
Eduardo Tiscornia
Ariel Riveiro
Maria Torcello
