The Price of the Land: A Journey of Resistance and Dignity
For nearly a decade, Alessandro Cinque has been on a mission to shed light on one of the most pressing yet hidden struggles of our time: the mining industry's impact on Indigenous communities in the Andes. His journey has taken him across Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, and Ecuador, resulting in a powerful photographic project titled 'The Price of the Land'.
Cinque's work is a testament to his dedication and immersion in a reality he felt compelled to document. His approach, rooted in classical documentary language, emphasizes simplicity and clarity as tools for visual democratization. Cinque believes that photography should be a universal language, accessible and capable of fostering empathy and awareness. He aims to translate global issues into tangible human experiences.
Over the years, Cinque has developed a unique working method. He combines field immersion, collaboration with local journalists and activists, and a deep ethical reflection on the photographer's role in representing others. With 'The Price of the Land', this method reaches its pinnacle. The project goes beyond denouncing extractivism's effects; it restores complexity, agency, and dignity to the affected communities.
Cinque's work blurs the lines between document and poetry. He weaves a narrative that transcends borders and cultures, revealing the recurring extractive dynamics across the Andean region. His lens connects wounded landscapes—polluted rivers, barren mountains, and salt deserts—with the resilient faces of those who resist. Through his observations, Cinque transforms photography into a tool for collective memory and testimony.
Guided by Sarah Leen (former Director of Photography at National Geographic) and curator/editor Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo of Raya Editorial, the project has evolved into a visual chronicle of contemporary neocolonialism. It addresses critical issues like energy transition, environmental degradation, and the resilience of Indigenous cultures.
Cinque's experience in Latin America profoundly influenced his artistic vision. Raised in the Eurocentric city of Florence, he gradually redefined his visual language through contact with Andean culture and the influence of masters like Martín Chambi. This cross-cultural dialogue led to a decolonized and relational photography, challenging the power dynamics between the subject and photographer. Cinque's work is driven by a desire to make photography a tool for restitution and social justice.
'The Price of the Land' has become more than just a personal project. It is a living archive, built in collaboration with the communities portrayed, based on trust and long-term commitment. The fanzines produced with Quechua journalist Vidal Merma, freely distributed in Andean villages, are now part of the permanent collection at the MoMA in New York, symbolizing this ethical vision.
Through over 320,000 photographs taken over nearly a decade, Cinque has created a body of work that intersects documentary photography, visual research, and anthropology. His images have been published in renowned publications like The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and Internazionale. They have been exhibited in over 80 solo and group shows across 27 countries, including prestigious venues such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, Fotografiska, Fundación PROA, and Arter.
Cinque's accolades include prestigious awards like the World Press Photo, Sony World Photography Award, Prix Photo Terre Solidaire, Vital Impacts Grant, and the National Geographic Explorer Grant. His ongoing exploration of the relationship between land, identity, and power continues to inspire and provoke thought.
'The Price of the Land' is a profound synthesis of Cinque's artistic and human journey. It merges photography, anthropology, and civic engagement, transforming images into spaces of resistance, memory, and collective awareness.
