IN STEREO

There are more than 200 paintings, all original. What bothers the Spaniards is when we explain the indigenous paintings. Really, these paintings relate the hatred, fear, and resentment, and some of the sarcasm that was held towards the Spaniards. Because of how, in the colonial time, the natives were forbidden to read and study, they became great painters. Many of these paintings represent Spanish characters, a way to explain. “What can you see here, something that does not correspond to the time of Jesus?” They look and try to find it, and say, “The hat;” “The boots.” They also see the Spanish soldiers – the appearance, the moustaches – and you can also see Spanish women. And when it is explained, they all say, “They are Spanish.” Some remain silent and others are annoyed. Some say, "Yes, it’s the truth. We have to accept it.” They leave feeling sorry, saying that the Spaniards did a lot of awful things.

But there are some others who do not put aside their pride and they’re always annoying you. You calm them down slowly. Once, a Spaniard came feeling really, really mad. She did not want to accept reality. We had another Frenchwoman, who said, “But it’s the truth. You have to accept the Spaniards conquered a lot.” They started to talk. I said, “It’s enough. Don’t argue.” You always need to have an answer because sometimes tourists are… “Why always with the Spaniards?” they tell me. But that’s the truth. But we also have to put ourselves in their place. When Spaniards come, we refrain from saying the ‘Spaniards’ – we say the ‘conquerors’. Because when we say such a thing, the Spaniards feel mad – they feel like another class. We always ask them where they are from while they’re waiting or as they come into the museum. “Good afternoon” and “Where are you from?” That’s how it works, right? – Patty