Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – The Vallartense Institute of Culture will be collaborating with the ‘Archivo Vallarta’ Collective to present the photographic exhibition and conference, ‘La Imagen y la Memoria’. The event, slated for Monday, May 29th, showcases the works of four photographers whose inspirations were firmly rooted in Puerto Vallarta. These photographs provide glimpses into the Vallarta of the 20th century and offer insights into the city’s nascent tourism industry.
The event is set against the backdrop of the 105th anniversary of Puerto Vallarta’s elevation to municipality status and its 55th year as a city.
The photographic works of Rodolfo Pulido, Harry Rowed, Óscar Rosales, and Norwood Simmons, will be displayed, each image telling a unique story of the city. Accompanying this visual journey will be narratives from Mtro. Felipe de Jesús Arreola Sedano, chronicler of Guachinango; Moisés Hernández López, historian; and Prof. Juan Manuel Gómez Encarnación, chronicler of Puerto Vallarta. Together, they will delve into the history encapsulated in these images, commencing the creation of our port’s historical archive.
The event will kick off at 7:00 p.m., at the Presidencia Municipal, taking attendees on a journey through Vallarta’s past, unveiling daily scenes and historical events that spurred the economic and tourism boom of this destination. The exhibition will feature four images from each photographer, thereby bringing snippets of the city’s history to life.
Rodolfo Pulido, a native of Nayarit who grew up in Vallarta, is considered the first graphic chronicler of the port. His images captured the growth of Puerto Vallarta from a town to a bustling city, including significant events like the formation of the ejidos and the land allotment. Felipe de Jesús Arreola Sedano will share insights into Pulido’s legacy.
Prof. Juan Manuel Gómez Encarnación will discuss the contributions of Óscar Rosales, who took over from Pulido as the town’s photographer. Rosales captured numerous residents in his studio and documented key socio-economic events of the city.
Canadian photojournalist Harry Rowed used his talents to portray the daily lives of Vallarta’s people with an anthropological lens. Invited by Canadian airlines to capture Mexico, he left a rich collection of images capturing the charm of Vallarta’s residents. Moisés Hernández will explore more about Rowed’s work during the event.
Lastly, Norwood Simmons’ photographs will be discussed, which vividly depict the transformation of old Puerto Vallarta into the modern city we see today, revealing the origins of its touristic appeal.
