Why do people migrate? Where to and for what reasons? What is the fate of the different indigenous populations in the Americas? In Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen investigates the roots of migration in the Americas, a phenomenon which is as old as humanity but is increasingly portrayed as a new threat to the Western world.

Via PanAm follows Van Lohuizen’s footsteps from Tierra del Fuego in southern Chile to Prudhoe Bay, northern Alaska. Travelling almost 40,000 km along the Pan-American Highway and crossing through 15 countries, Van Lohuizen visualized the stories of the communities, regions and societies he encountered. His work reflects a diverse range of migration experiences both historic and contemporary.

Although migration is as old as humanity, many people in Europe and the USA see it as a threat and a new phenomenon. Yet, the Americas are continents shaped by colonialism and migration. The indigenous population has been either extinguished or sidetracked. People are mainly of European (or African) descent. Bolivia is the exception with an indigenous population that forms the majority. The country elected a native president, a novum in Latin America in 500 years.

People move all over the continent. Looking for work, a different life, a better life and fleeing because of conflict. Sometimes people cross a border for these, often they move to other regions in their own country. For this Kadir van Lohuizen will travel from Tierra del Fuego (Chile) to Alaska and will use the Pan-American Highway as a point of reference. In the end it is the road that people mainly use to move on in life.

While working on various subjects around the globe, Van Lohuizen found that migration often played a role in many issues and in many different forms, be it climate change, war and conflict or economical issues. As a photojournalist specialised in covering long-term projects, this inspired him to devote a project entirely to the subject of migration and to make a visual investigation of all its aspects.

The Americas in particular are interesting continents because of their long history of migration and the recent political developments in both South and North America. Whereas most people think of migration as people moving from South to North, most movement actually takes place between neighbouring countries and between different regions within a country. By investigating these movements and visualising them, Via PanAm wants to contribute to a better understanding of migration and the Americas.

The photo stories reflect the complexity of migration – the diverse motivations for coming and going, the struggles and successes, the economic, political, social and environmental contexts, as well as the intimate moments and personal stories – some touching upon current issues, some on topics long forgotten but not resolved.

Via PanAm was nominated for the Canon Zilveren Camera Award 2012 and 2013 and for the Dutch Doc Award 2013.

This project was made possible with support from the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Foundation for Special Journalistic Projects, the Sem Presser Foundation and Nikon Europe.

Additionally, support from the many backers on Emphas.is and IS Magazine has been vital to the realization of the project.

Authors

Kadir van LohuizenKadir van Lohuizen (NL, b. 1963) has covered conflicts in Africa and elsewhere, but is probably best known for his long-term projects on the seven rivers of the world, the rising of sea levels, the diamond industry and migration in the Americas. He has received numerous prizes, including two World Press Photo awards. In September 2007, he and ten others established the NOOR agency (Amsterdam, New York). He became a member of the supervisory board of World Press Photo in 2008. He has published several photobooks, including Diamond Matters, Aderen and Vía PanAm (in collaboration with Paradox).

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Platforms

Road to nowhere.
Road to nowhere.
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
The Salar de Uyuni is the biggest salt lake in the world. The salt layer is at least 130 meters thick. Recently the biggest lithium reserves of the world were found in the salt layer, which could be very promising for Bolivia's future. 

In April Bolivia has started the pilot project at which 150 people work. In the near future when the plant will be in full production, hundreds of workers from all over the country will be employed.
The Salar de Uyuni is the biggest salt lake in the world. The salt layer is at least 130 meters thick. Recently the biggest lithium reserves of the world were found in the salt layer, which could be very promising for Bolivia's future. In April Bolivia has started the pilot project at which 150 people work. In the near future when the plant will be in full production, hundreds of workers from all over the country will be employed.
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Peru is worlds fifth producer of gold and the Peruvian Amazon houses most of it. It lead to a real gold rush, where nowadays an estimated 40,000 miners are looking for luck. Unfortunately at a high cost, protected forest is being turned upside down and huge amounts of mercury are polluting the land, the rivers and endangers people's health.
Although almost all mining is illegal the Peruvian authorities do very little, partly because local authorities are involved in mining operations.
Peru is worlds fifth producer of gold and the Peruvian Amazon houses most of it. It lead to a real gold rush, where nowadays an estimated 40,000 miners are looking for luck. Unfortunately at a high cost, protected forest is being turned upside down and huge amounts of mercury are polluting the land, the rivers and endangers people's health. Although almost all mining is illegal the Peruvian authorities do very little, partly because local authorities are involved in mining operations.
© Kadir van Lohuizen© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
PRINT #2
PRINT #2
© Kadir van Lohuizen© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Close to the border with Venezuela in Eastern Colombioa lies the idyllic town of Gramalote. About 6000 people live a peaceful life in a country that can be  not so peaceful. But the days before December 17 2010 everything started to change. The earth starts to move and houses start to collapse. The mayor decides to evacuate everyone and on December 17 the over 150 year old town more or less ceased to exist.
The action by the mayor prevented any loss of life, but the town won't be rebuild, it is as if the earth has swallowed it. The inhabitants live in temporarily shelters in the vicinity or moved in with family in the nearby cities.
A combination of lying on a fault and very extensive rains, most likely due to climate change, lead to the disaster.
Close to the border with Venezuela in Eastern Colombioa lies the idyllic town of Gramalote. About 6000 people live a peaceful life in a country that can be not so peaceful. But the days before December 17 2010 everything started to change. The earth starts to move and houses start to collapse. The mayor decides to evacuate everyone and on December 17 the over 150 year old town more or less ceased to exist. The action by the mayor prevented any loss of life, but the town won't be rebuild, it is as if the earth has swallowed it. The inhabitants live in temporarily shelters in the vicinity or moved in with family in the nearby cities. A combination of lying on a fault and very extensive rains, most likely due to climate change, lead to the disaster.
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Miners have breakfast before entering the mines.

The mines in Siglo XX opened in 1900, attracting thousands of workers from all over. But the market went slowly down and in 1986 the government (the mine was nationalized in 1952), to close down the mine all together. The miners didn't accept this decision and formed coorperatives to be able to continue working. Nowadays about 5000 miners work again in the mine attracted by the high tin price. 
At an altitude of 4000 metres, in a mine with temperatures up to 50 degrees, no elevators, no electricity and all manual labour; the work is dangerous and life expentancy is not higher then 45 years.
Miners have breakfast before entering the mines. The mines in Siglo XX opened in 1900, attracting thousands of workers from all over. But the market went slowly down and in 1986 the government (the mine was nationalized in 1952), to close down the mine all together. The miners didn't accept this decision and formed coorperatives to be able to continue working. Nowadays about 5000 miners work again in the mine attracted by the high tin price. At an altitude of 4000 metres, in a mine with temperatures up to 50 degrees, no elevators, no electricity and all manual labour; the work is dangerous and life expentancy is not higher then 45 years.
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
A memorial for two mineworkers who died in accident along the road from Antofagasta to Calama.
A memorial for two mineworkers who died in accident along the road from Antofagasta to Calama.
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
PRINT #3
PRINT #3
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Migrants from central America are waiting in Arriaga for the cargo train to arrive. They will travel on the roof of the train to the US.
Migrants from central America are waiting in Arriaga for the cargo train to arrive. They will travel on the roof of the train to the US.
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Print 1
'Sheep boys' at Estanncia Cameron in Tierra del Fuego.
Until two years ago the estancia was a cooperative, measaring 96,000 ha. The economic situation of the farm was detirrating so the farm was sold. The new onwner has doubled the sheeps to 50,000.
Print 1 'Sheep boys' at Estanncia Cameron in Tierra del Fuego. Until two years ago the estancia was a cooperative, measaring 96,000 ha. The economic situation of the farm was detirrating so the farm was sold. The new onwner has doubled the sheeps to 50,000.
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Self portrait
Self portrait
© Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Via PanAm at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Santiago de Chile (2013)
Via PanAm at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Santiago de Chile (2013)
© Frank Ortmanns
Via PanAm at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Santiago de Chile (2013)
Via PanAm at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Santiago de Chile (2013)
© Frank Ortmanns
Via PanAm at Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (2013/2014)
Via PanAm at Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (2013/2014)
Via PanAm at Centre National de l'Audiovisuel, Luxemburg (2014)
Via PanAm at Centre National de l'Audiovisuel, Luxemburg (2014)
© Frank Ortmanns
Via PanAm at Centre National de l'Audiovisuel, Luxemburg (2014)
Via PanAm at Centre National de l'Audiovisuel, Luxemburg (2014)
© Frank Ortmanns
Via PanAm at Fotofestiwal Lodz, Poland (2016)
Via PanAm at Fotofestiwal Lodz, Poland (2016)
Via PanAm at Fotofestiwal Lodz, Poland (2016)
Via PanAm at Fotofestiwal Lodz, Poland (2016)
Via PanAm at Fotofestiwal Lodz, Poland (2016)
Via PanAm at Fotofestiwal Lodz, Poland (2016)
Installing Via PanAm at Centro Cultural de España, Guatemala City (2016)
Installing Via PanAm at Centro Cultural de España, Guatemala City (2016)

Exhibition

The Via PanAm exhibition is a combination of an audio-visual installation and a series of large prints plus iPads showing the app. Together they form a spatial environment in which multimedia photostories and road videos immerse the audience in the surroundings and stories of the project. The exhibition launched in Chile in January 2013, and travels to several venues in Europe and (Latin) America.

 

  • 09.06.201619.06.2016Fotofestiwal, Lodz (POL)

    10.03.201609.04.2016Centro Cultural de España, Guatemala City (GUA)

    09.12.201531.01.2016Museo Para La Indentidad Nacional, Tegucigalpa (HON)

    17.10.201513.12.2016Bronx Documentary Center, New York (USA)

    25.09.201409.12.2014Centre National de l'Audiovisuel, Luxemburg (LUX)

    13.04.201430.04.2014El Museo de Arte Costarricense, San José (CRI)

    09.11.201312.01.2014Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam (NL)

    29.01.201303.03.2013Museo de Bellas Artes, Santiago (CHI)

  • 80 prints of 80 x 120 cm on canvas
    5 projection screens of 2 x 3 m showing images, video, audio and text
    3 iPads showing the Via PanAm iPad app
    Exhibition design is flexible and can be tailored for different spaces
    Required space: 200-1200 m2

Bookcover Via PanAm
Bookcover Via PanAm
© Kadir van Lohuizen
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei
Page from Via PanAm, Kadir van Lohuizen. Design: Heijdens Karwei

Book

The publication, designed by Heijdens Karwei, takes the reader along through the changing landscapes of the countries travelled and zooms in on the lives of the people Van Lohuizen portrayed. Their stories show their strength and their vulnerability, the variety of motivations they have, the roads they travel and the (often informal) infrastructures they enter into.

The unique publication takes the reader along through the changing landscapes of the countries he travelled and zooms in on the lives of the people he encountered. The book also includes an essay by acclaimed Colombian writer Juan Gabriel Vásquez.

 

Award

Nomination Best Dutch Book Designs 2013

Buy
  • Via PanAm – The Pursuit of Happiness
    Kadir van Lohuizen, YdocPublishing / Paradox, 2013.
    Text: Juan Gabriel Vásquez
    Design: Heijdens Karwei
    Pages: 420
    Size: 24,5 x 31,2 cm
    Text: English and Spanish
    ISBN: 978-90-818876-1-8

Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Via PanAm iPad app
Blog - Via PanAm iPad app
Blog - Via PanAm iPad app

App/web

Via PanAm engages the audience through a variety of platforms, using both traditional and new media. The stories made on the road were edited into weekly radio broadcasts, biweekly newspaper columns and regular magazine publications. The Via PanAm website and iApp not only provide contextual background info, but also directly connected readers and viewers with the journey’s progress. Day by day, the Americas and their people revealed themselves to the photographer and his followers as photo-stories, video and audio were uploaded on a regular basis.

The Via PanAm iPad application follows Kadir’s footsteps during the trip. In addition to the blog and background texts that are also available on the project website, the app features Van Lohuizen’s extended visual reports containing images, audio and video. A rich and ongoing compilation of stories, the app takes a bold and innovative new-media approach to visual storytelling.

The app, which can be purchased in the App Store, is available in English, Dutch and Spanish.

  • Title: Vía PanAm
    Design: Antenna Men
    Photography: Kadir van Lohuizen
    Text: Edwin Koopman
    Language: English, Spanish, Dutch
    Date: 2011
    Video: Kadir van Lohuizen
    Post Production: Thomas Vroege
    Producer: Paradox
    Sound: Kadir van Lohuizen
    Developer: Paradox
    Platform: iOS
    Software: iOS 7.0 or later
    Device: iPad

News

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In the media

  • It is a body of work to spend time over and devour over many months. A true document.

    Marcus Bleasdale, The Telegraph Read more »
  • Report Sunday Times Magazine

    Sunday Times Magazine, 2012
  • Migratie is van alle tijden

    Focus, 2011
  • Een schitterende toekomst

    Vrij Nederland, 2011

Supported by

General Credits

Via PanAm is a project by Kadir van Lohuizen, NOOR Images and Paradox, in collaboration with VPRO radio and NRC Handelsblad.

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