COIRÓN: book launch

Discover Coirón: A Photographer’s Journey

Pie Aerts presents _COIRÓN_, his first monograph, published by GOST Books. This poetic, multimedia documentary project was created over a period of six years in the remote Magallanes region of Chile. You will discover the intimate world of elderly gauchos (_puesteros_) who live and work there alone on vast private estates.

Lives of Isolation and Resilience

The lives of these gauchos are characterised by silence, isolation and hard physical labour, often in solitary circumstances. They live on land that is not their own and with little security should their health fail. This photo series by Pie Aerts follows their daily labour and moments of rest, offering a collective reflection on rural life in contemporary Chile.

Human Resilience and Cultural Preservation

Decades of isolation and exploitation have led to profound mental health issues amongst these men. Limited social interaction, heavy physical labour, a changing climate, financial insecurity and the lack of pension provisions contribute to alcoholism and suicide within their community. Despite these setbacks, they fight with dignity, resilience and pride against the erosion of their culture and identity.