About - Memories of an Avenue | Digital Preservation Project of La Serena's Sculptural Heritage
In memories of an avenue...
Francisco de Aguirre Avenue, located in the heart of La Serena, Chile, constitutes a space of extraordinary historical and cultural relevance. Throughout its existence, this emblematic place has been a witness to multiple social and cultural transformations, reflected in the various names it has received over time.
Initially known as "La Alameda", this avenue was later renamed "Francisco de Aguirre Avenue" in honor of the Spanish conqueror. However, during the social outbreak of 2019, the local community collectively renamed it "Diaguitas Avenue", thus recognizing the importance of the regional indigenous culture.
At the same time, the avenue has been popularly called "Avenue of Statues", a name that evidences the presence of the 34 classical sculptures that adorn it. However, none of these names has managed to capture completely the essence and sense of belonging that the inhabitants of La Serena feel towards this unique space.
From this reflection emerges "Memories of an Avenue", a name that seeks to synthesize the multiple collective and individual memories associated with this place. From the events of the social outbreak to the artistic interventions on the sculptures, each element contributes to building the rich historical and cultural narrative of this space.
"Memories of an Avenue" represents a concept in constant evolution, without a fixed belonging, that reflects the dynamic nature of the space and its capacity for adaptation. It is a living testimony of La Serena's history and culture, a reminder that this place transcends its urban function to become a symbol of local identity. The future of this space remains open, ready to receive new names and meanings according to the community's decisions.
Who are we?
Our team is made up of two professionals passionate about cultural heritage preservation. On one hand, we have a graphic design student specialized in photogrammetry, who is responsible for web design, photographic documentation and the generation of 3D models of sculptures through photogrammetry techniques. On the other hand, a computer engineer contributes his expertise in web development, systems architecture and data processing for the creation of three-dimensional models.
Beyond our technical competencies, we share a deep fascination for cinema, video games, local myths and legends, as well as a genuine curiosity about the cultural richness of our region. These personal interests significantly enrich our professional approach and allow us to address the project from unique and innovative perspectives.
"Memories of an Avenue" was born as a graphic design thesis project, but has evolved towards a broader initiative of digital heritage preservation. The combination of our technical skills with our personal interests has allowed us to create a platform that not only documents, but also interprets and contextualizes La Serena's sculptural heritage, establishing a bridge between the past and the present through digital technology.