Ripped off the ground: Arturo Alape, the nation from the language

Abstract

Colombia is currently going through an important time in its history where culture is a major part in the consolidation for peace. Considerations about the official history of Colombian conflict in art have become a main theme for analysis. For the purpose of confronting the single narrative of the conflict with other voices, it is necessary to save from obscurity the work of engaged artists who developed a reactionary language addressing the official discourse. Among them stands out Arturo Alape’s work. Alape builds up a language which gives voice to the armed conflict in Colombia. He looks at the different elements that shape the war taking into account his own experience and the voices of those who also have been involved.