Remember | Alan Ahued Naime

‘Remember’

‘Remember’ is an action, a plea, and a call not to forget.

The work was conceived in 2017 after a big earthquake hit Mexico City and surroundings. Among the investigations on the many buildings that fell on that 19th of September, researchers found a general lack of compliance with construction regulations, use of cheap materials, and fake or missing construction permits. A problem that the city carries since 1985, when, also on a 19th of September, hundreds of buildings collapsed during an 8.1 magnitude earthquake. The group Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity exhaustively investigated 28 building collapses from 2017, and found overwhelming evidence that they were caused by shoddy construction — despite the ultra-rigorous building code adopted after 1985. "There is no possible explanation for what happened in Mexico City other than corruption, negligence and the entrenched interests around the construction industry," said the organization's spokesman.

‘Remember’ is an action, a plea, and a call not to forget.

The work was conceived in 2017 after a big earthquake hit Mexico City and surroundings. Among the investigations on the many buildings that fell on that 19th of September, researchers found a general lack of compliance with construction regulations, use of cheap materials, and fake or missing construction permits. A problem that the city carries since 1985, when, also on a 19th of September, hundreds of buildings collapsed during an 8.1 magnitude earthquake. The group Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity exhaustively investigated 28 building collapses from 2017, and found overwhelming evidence that they were caused by shoddy construction — despite the ultra-rigorous building code adopted after 1985. "There is no possible explanation for what happened in Mexico City other than corruption, negligence and the entrenched interests around the construction industry," said the organization's spokesman.

‘Remember’ is an action, a plea, and a call not to forget.

The work was conceived in 2017 after a big earthquake hit Mexico City and surroundings. Among the investigations on the many buildings that fell on that 19th of September, researchers found a general lack of compliance with construction regulations, use of cheap materials, and fake or missing construction permits. A problem that the city carries since 1985, when, also on a 19th of September, hundreds of buildings collapsed during an 8.1 magnitude earthquake. The group Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity exhaustively investigated 28 building collapses from 2017, and found overwhelming evidence that they were caused by shoddy construction — despite the ultra-rigorous building code adopted after 1985. "There is no possible explanation for what happened in Mexico City other than corruption, negligence and the entrenched interests around the construction industry," said the organization's spokesman.

Volunteering

Volunteers were asked to share their experience during the earthquake and the days that followed. Visitors listen to these stories through the tin can telephones.

Since string telephones are normally associated with toys, fun and good memories, there is a big contrast in the audience's perception of the work from before to after they realize or learn about the background of this work. This "plot twist" is intended to create a bigger impact on the visitors, hoping that they will become more invested in learning what happened after the earthquake and how corruption and greed amplified the disaster.

From the voice of the volunteers:

"If we have an earthquake in the future, the tragedy from 2017 would most probably happen again".

"In the following days I did not sleep. It was very hard to deal with the anxiety, I had to take therapy and still today I suffer from PTSD".

"We learnt what an earthquake means, how to act on them, and we realized that we can all work together to make it [the situation] better".

"I walked past the Rébsamen school. It was extremely shocking, very to see...

What came after was panic, anxiety, insomnia. I couldn't sleep for over a month".

"The city had a mourning vibe, but there was a big desire from everyone to help".

"I was working as an architect in a construction site with around 80 workers. That day we had the yearly earthquake drill but our boss did not let us do it so we wouldn't loose time".

"That night I lived the experience of the raised fist and the profound silence of the multitude there. I could only think please, let him be alive [...]. Finally, the silence was broken by a round of applause".

"Every 19th of September we have an earthquake drill, it seems impossible but it happened again, after the drill the earthquake came".

"Being away while you see your country falling apart is one of the most frustrating emotions I have ever had. On the 19th of September I was not in Mexico, but I will never forget that day".

"Our building was damaged. At least for two months we could not go inside, not even to pick our belongings up. We lived on donations".

"My days after the earthquake were full of anxiety. Since there was no electricity I could not communicate with my family to tell them I was alright".

"From the 32nd floor, the city had an apocalyptic look. Explosions, fire, smoke, dust, a lot of panic".

"For 48 hours I lived among dust and pieces of buildings, trying to find people trapped under the rubble".

"While we were going out of the building, a neighbour was asking for help since her dog's chain got stuck in the staircase. None of us stopped to help her, we were thinking of our own lives".

On that 19 of September of 2017, the earthquake was too close to Mexico City. The Seismic Alarm was triggered while the ground was already shaking. For the next weeks, people created their own seismic alarms to be ready for the aftershocks. We hanged pans, cans and bottles that would clink whenever there was movement. We also put bottles upside down that would fall with the vibration, making enough noise to alert us that there was an earthquake.

Seismic Alarm