TRIBUTE TO ARTURO PRAT (2009)

Architect: Enrique Browne C. Contributor: Sarah Kutz S. Main materials: Reinforced concrete and glass Year: 2009

"Who beat fear and fought without any hope of defeating the enemy". (Allusion to JL Borges) Arturo Prat with only 30 years old, he commanded the wooden corvette Esmeralda that faced the Peruvian navy in the Battle of Iquique in 1879. The unequal strength of the forces was evident, since the Peruvian ships were much more modern and made of steel. Prat, however, considered the significance of such an action in the general outcome of the war. Instead of surrendering, he addressed his sailors and attacked the monitor Huascar, being the first to board the ship, where he died under enemy fire. His heroic gesture was publicly acknowledged, even by the enemy Commander. For his gesture, his name it is in every history book and many streets, squares and schools of the country. But this physical monuments to his memory, are inert statues, which ones do not generate any emotion to their viewers (see bust) This project aims to make visitors sense, in some way, the fear Prat must have felt when carrying out his action. It will be set on a rocky location, hit by the strong waves of the Chilean coast.