This work takes its artistic impetus from the last writings of three South American female poets who took their own lives: Violeta Parra (1917-1967) from Chile, Alfonsina Storni (1892-1938) from Argentina and Ana Cristina Cesar (1952-1983) from Brazil. 
I have become increasingly interested in exploring my culture as the root of my artistic personality and the source of my inspiration. I felt inspired by the poetry of fellow South American women and especially compassionate by the last writings of those who committed suicide. I began exploring this poetry in my pieces Alejandra (2011) and Dejate Caer (2012), both inspired by Argentinean poet Alejandra Pizarnik. 
Virginia Woolf’s suicide letter to her husband sparked my interest in the suicides of female artists. I couldn’t help but feel compassion for somebody suffering so much that it would lead to this final, fatal decision. I feel emotionally compelled to explore the cultural and gender attachments of these figures, and examine how their art acts as a reflection of these intense emotions. Empathy through art can be a strong mechanism to develop our understanding of one another, I aimed to explore these writings as an attempt to remember and embrace these artists in their suffering, to honor their cultures, lives, and art; and to raise awareness about these powerful internal struggles.
I begin my research in May 2015, traveling to Santiago de Chile, Mar del Plata in Argentina and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil where I conducted interviews with relevant figures and scholars that illuminated my understanding of these poets’ lives, ouvre and moral identities. I most importantly, gathered audio material that served as a primary source for the electronic elements involved in the piece. Among others, you will hear Violeta Parra’s own Quatro Venezolano (small guitar with four strings) in the first movement, the sound of the sea and the wind from Mar del Plata, home city of Alfonsina Storni in the second movement, and an archival recording of Ana Cristina Cesar reciting one of her poems in the third movement.

Performers: JACK Quartet

Recorded live at Stamps Auditorium, the University of Michigan on March 8, 2016.  

Electronics Tech: Daphna Raz
Recording: Leith Campbell
Cover Photo: Natali Herrero Pacheco

This piece was made possible by a grant from the Fromm Music Foundation

Ausencias/Ausências/Absences (2016) For String Quartet and Electronics

III. Ana C.

II. Alfonsina

I. Violeta

Argentinian composer and multimedia artist based in L.A.

II. Alfonsina

Carolina Heredia composer