Living in Peru : your everyday companion

It has taken us a long time to describe all of the activities that Guillermo Rivas Romero has developed, and continues to develop in various cultural arenas.

Economist by profession, he has held prestigious positions such as a company executive for Televisión Nacional del Perú, professor at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Centro Cultural of La Católica, and Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, where he is currently teaching classes related to Economics and Photography.

Rivas, who maintains that photography is another one of the fine arts, affirms that with the photos included in his book he has “deliberately violated many of the alleged rules” of photography. He doesn’t present photos in black and white, and uses and manipulates light, movement, focus, and various planes, all with the point of focusing on color, as well as the composition of the photos.

“The making of this book has been like giving birth,” he explains, referring to the time and the effort that it has cost him. Within the book, the photos are accompanied by descriptions, and are not limited to the information about the photo, but also present Rivas’ reflections and emotions that each photo presents. Therefore, this book combines photos and text to narrate a story.

“The book is strongly focused on the people from the mountains (sierra), no only because I live fascinated with the marvelous blue sky, but also with the people of the region, who live surrounded by this sky and these landscapes.
These people live in a completely unique way, with huge inner wealth, with values that we should examine as well,” says Rivas, explaining that Peru has always, and doesn’t stop amazing him.

When asked if he believed himself to be rebellious within the world of photography, Rivas responds “let’s say yes, because I am not limited to taking pictures, but rather, I live them, I comment on them, and I try to find in my photos the things that to other people, would pass by unnoticed.

Rivas has exhibited his photography in cities such as Chicago, Beijing, Pingyao (International Photography Festival 2006), Hong Kong, Sidney (International Photography and Film Festival), and in the University of Notre Dame, in Indiana. He is currently working on developing two editorial projects entitled “Las Iglesias Coloniales de Perú” and “El Rostro de Perú.”

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Incredible beauty and commentary. Guillermo seems to have an outstanding grasp of the in-betweens, the affect of image and observer which is larger than each taken separately. I'd love to see more of his work and listen or read his commentary, not only about the pictures, but also about his take on life in general as he finds it, stuff that, for me, better informs any creative work. Thanks

I love this! Where can I purchase the book? Is it sold only in Peru?
Please advise. Thank you!

Sandra,

I am Guillermo's daughter and I live in the US. I am actually going to have some books soon and I can ship one to you if you are interested. 

Andrea,
I'd love to buy one as well. Please email me for more details. I also live in FL (Jacksonville).

Thanks

My email is: mochika@gmail.com

Nice to meet you Adrea. Sorry that I did not see your reply sooner; yes, I would like to receive one book. Please let me know how can I get it. You can write to me directly at sarthur7@aol.com
Thank you for your answer and I look forward to receiving your news; I hope I am not too late!
Sandra

Sandra and Jessica,

Sorry for not replying to your comments before. I just sent an email to both of you. I will have some books this coming weekend and will work on posting them on amazon or ebay. I will let you know as soon as I figure that out.

I will have about 20 books, just in case you are interested in giving great holiday presents. 

Thank you Adrea!... Yes, I received your e-mail. Please advise as soon as you know the books can be ordered.
 They will be great gifts; we Peruvians miss our land a lot, trust me. To have the pictures will be great to remember and also to see new places to visit when we go back!

   Hello .... stunning photos.... I am returning to photograph the Peru I remember.... Guillermo did I meet you 1978/9 in Cusco ?I lived there for e year... I am trying to reconnect with special people I met .... janet7@orcon.net.nz .... Janet