 Book:
CUANDO SE PONE EL SOL
Pages: 315
Ilustration: A 1 COLOR
Measure(cm.): 19 X 21 X
2
Weight: 505 GR.
Price U$S: 30
Casapueblo
Editions, Maldonado, Uruguay, 1995.
This
book written by Carlos Páez Vilaró is a valuable
document
that shows the leading part that this writer has
won within his country. A testimony OF the difficulties he
had to face described in the simple, true and humble style
of a great artist.
The
painter that becomes a writer without meaning to.
The
story that is now told by his author, like nobody else
could have done, is
related to
the days he spent at the seaside in said time.
Text
extracted from chapter called “Discovering Punta
Ballena”, by Carlos Páez Vilaró.
“…My
Land Rover could be compared to the “Matungo” (old
horse) I used to ride in the “estancia” (ranch).
It knows about roads and crossways better than
its driver.
At
random, I
steered it towards the west.
When I got to the bottom of Punta Ballena, I felt
sensitive
to enjoy just what the landscape was freely
granting me.
I
encouragely turned the wheels towards the caves and parked
my Land Rover under the shade of a bent willow.
The
vehicle was part of myself.
We
rode together along the shores gathering all kind
of presents that the sea brought up.
We
also explored the privacy of the forest and
collected pine-cones that would
afterwards warm the fire place.
My
sheet metal horse could be jolted, stubborn and complainer
but it was never out of order.
In
spite of its puffing and snoring engine, it was always
ready to start at once.
But
that time, I had to inspect the place alone.
It
was the first day of November, 1957 when I decided to
explore the ground and initiate diggings and fences by
myself.
In
that way, I spent my birthday joyfully enjoying my walk
along the place of my dreams.
When
I got to the highest point, I climbed up a stony defensive
mound of earth, built by the Spaniards during the Colony
period. It divided the reef
into two.
The
primitive
fence covered with moss started by the road side
and died in the middle of the sea like a harpoon.
I
was the sole witness of the moon light reflecting on the
earth.
The noise of silence sounded everywhere.
I
had never had such an experience, No trees or houses could
be seen in the surroundings.
No fishermen on the rocks.
The
silence was only broken by the singing of some seagull
flying far away.
The evening became hot and lazy.
I entered among the scents of native plants, the
dump atmosphere and could also
sniff the smell of lavender .
Coming
down was much better and my return trip was fast and easy.
I felt in a cheerful and sensitive mood, talking
aloud to myself.
Nothing
could be more rewarding than to discover the ideal place
to build
my final
workshop.
It
would be convenient for me to keep absolute silence in
order to avoid any trouble whatsoever
My
first job would be
to build a tin-roofed hut which would be the basis
of my future home.
While
scribbling the initial drawings, I
looked at
the Land Rover through the wide open window, it was
resting with its eyes half-closed under the head lights.
My
umbrella seemed to be sleeping beside the entrance.
It would keep the secret of my beloved discovery
like a black wet-winged bird”.
|
