Sofia Aldinio

Visual Journalist & Multimedia Storyteller

Until We Are Gone

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Location: South Portland

Nationality: Argentine

Biography: Sofia Aldinio is an Argentine documentary photographer and multimedia storyteller. She is currently based in Portland, Maine. Her work uses collaborative practices to tell stories about home, immigration, climate change, and preserving natural and... MORE

An aerial view of San Jose de G... off the canyon as one used to.

1 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

An aerial view of San Jose de Gracia - a community nestled in the middle of the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico, July, 2021. The community claims that it was founded 200 years ago, but today there are only 21 members living there full time. As with many other small communities, water is the reason why they are able to settle and live in their surroundings. However the rainy season has shifted, leaving their community without a waterfall flowing off the canyon as one used to.

A portrait of Miguel Murillo, i...nity by attracting more people.

2 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

A portrait of Miguel Murillo, in the land where he was born and still lives, San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, January, 2021. From 2006 to today, the community has lost approximately 60 members and has a population of 21 today. Miguel is leading the harvest of the mango crop, weaving old techniques in with his hope that mango production will revive the community by attracting more people.

An abandoned house in San Jose ...deteriorate into the landscape.

3 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

An abandoned house in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. The population of San Jose de Gracia has been decreasing since the last decades. A recent census shows how in the past 15 years it has lost 51 members of the community resulting in no younger generation to carry forward the traditions. Many houses have been abandoned, left to deteriorate into the landscape.

The kids cemetery in San Jose ...ge in Baja California, Mexico.

4 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

The kids cemetery in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, January, 2021. The small community has at least four different cemeteries generationally identified. For vulnerable communities like this one, the risk to their members is the decreasing ability to sustain a living off the land as climate change continues to impress what seems like irreversible change in Baja California, Mexico.

Andrea Murillo, Irma Murillo a... with the community.

5 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Andrea Murillo, Irma Murillo and Norma Murillo (from left to right) share a kitchen to prepare a meal in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. The three of them were born and raised in the community, but only Norma still lives there. Norma's daughter migrated for better income opportunities to the closest active community almost two hours away from San Jose de Gracia. While we sit and share a meal, they recount stories of how they used to make dresses, dance and always have big shared meals with the community.

Archival Photograph from San J... salted and hung to preserved.

6 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Archival Photograph from San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico. One of the traditions was if anyone hunted any animal, this was shared with the whole community. The meat was salted and hung to preserved.

Chuy Rojas holds a piece of gua...he does, and his answer was no.

7 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Chuy Rojas holds a piece of guaco in Rancho El Paraje, Baja California, Mexico, December, 2021. The native plant grows in the hills of the desert. They have been relying on this herb during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of the drought, a lot of the herbs have been drying out, resulting in immense pressure for the ranchers that rely on these native plants to feed their animals, or to use as medicine and food. I asked Chuy if he thinks his kids and grandchildren will hold the same knowledge as he does, and his answer was no.

Erick Rojas fights with a cow,...ly, it will likely be forever.

8 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Erick Rojas fights with a cow, for morning milking in Rancho El Paraje, Baja California, Mexico, January, 2021. Erick just returned to his father's land with his wife and two children. He spent a year working for a mine, but the pay was awful making it impossible to survive. Erick’s father, Chuy, is the keeper of the land’s knowledge, and if lost within the family, it will likely be forever.

An illustration from Crecencia ... to swim, including Crencencia.

9 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

An illustration from Crecencia Aguilar showcases a waterfall from the community that no longer exists in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. The water used to turn into a small pond where kids in the community used to learn how to swim, including Crencencia.

Emilda and her family get toget...ainable anymore, she describes.

10 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Emilda and her family get together on a Saturday afternoon before heading to the beach to receive the fish in San Juanico, Baja California, Mexico, January 2021. Emilda lives with her daughters and grandchildren. She comes from a long lineage of fisherman, but she hopes for something different for the future of her grandchildren. Living off what the land provides us is not sustainable anymore, she describes.

During mango season July and A... was canceled due to Covid-19.

11 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

During mango season July and August, you can find mango’s laying everywhere, even the horses get fed with mangoes in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. Every year, the community gathers together in July to celebrate the Mango season. A tradition that has been passed on for years. This year the celebration was canceled due to Covid-19.

Crecencia Aguilar holds Avocado...e is in danger of disappearing.

12 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Crecencia Aguilar holds Avocado leaves that were just harvested to make a tea in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. Crecencia holds extensive knowledge of the medicinal properties of each plant. With the population decreasing in the community and no younger generation actively living in the community, the knowledge is in danger of disappearing.

Miguel Murillo cuts palms in Sa... community still cutting palms.

13 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Miguel Murillo cuts palms in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, to build houses outside of the community, July 2021. A handful of houses in the community are still built 100% of palms. Concrete has been used in newer construction to replace this natural element. There are only a couple of people left in the community still cutting palms.

Archival photograph of someone ...racia, Baja California, Mexico.

14 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Archival photograph of someone climbing into a palm in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico.

An empty fish net lays on the ...es in Baja California, Mexico.

15 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

An empty fish net lays on the beach in San Juanico, Baja California, Mexico, January, 2021. With the weather patterns shifting the small fishing villages have been affected, leaving fishermen with empty nets. Fishing seasons are not reliable anymore, words shared repeatedly throughout various fishing villages in Baja California, Mexico.

A group of fishermen prepare t...es and on their dinner tables.

16 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

A group of fishermen prepare to go out fishing in San Juanico, Baja California, Mexico, January, 2021. They claim that they haven't pulled any lobster for weeks, creating financial stress in their families and on their dinner tables.

Garambullo can be found in the... medicinal purposes.

17 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Garambullo can be found in the area of San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. This sweet and small fruit, red or purple in color can be eaten or used for medicinal purposes.

All the young families migrate...ies, finding new ways of life.

18 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

All the young families migrated away from the community leaving empty classrooms and abandoned houses, San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. The future of the younger generation is uncertain, pushing them to migrate to other cities, and even countries, finding new ways of life.

Ornaments are placed in a rock...California, Mexico, July 2021.

19 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Ornaments are placed in a rock crack in the mountain next to the canyon in San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021.

Felipe and Olga, have been exp...e in parts of Central America.

20 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Felipe and Olga, have been experiencing a big change in their life in their home of San Juanico, Baja California, Mexico, January 2021. What once was a quiet life full of rich fish is now a struggle to make a living. “There are no more fish,” Felipe says. Migration has already impacted many people in Central America. Because Baja California is a borderland, it is expected that increased border stress between Mexico and the United States will be felt due to the severe effects of climate change in parts of Central America.

A water tank is being replenis...ain storm was three years ago.

21 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

A water tank is being replenished by the water oasis below Rancho el Paraje, Baja California, Mexico, January, 2021. The water levels have been depleting. The last rain storm was three years ago.

An archival photograph from th...es remain scattered.

22 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

An archival photograph from the old classroom where an active community of kids lived in the community, San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico. Today this classroom is empty and old school supplies remain scattered.

Erick Jr. Rojas swims next to h...othing in the past three years.

23 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Erick Jr. Rojas swims next to his house in Rancho el Paraje, Baja California, Mexico, December 2020. The family relies on this source of water for drinking and feeding the animals. The rain has been little to nothing in the past three years.

Emilda and her family clean the...more fish.” She said.

24 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Emilda and her family clean the fish prior to transport to La Paz, Baja California, Mexico, January 2021. Emilda comes from a long fishing line, but she hopes differently for her kids. “It’s not like it used to be, there are no more fish.” She said.

Crecencia was born, raised and ...tion to pass the land along to.

25 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Crecencia was born, raised and had her own children in the community that once was her home, San Jose de Gracia, Baja California, Mexico, July 2021. She moved away from the community to raise her own children, but in the Covid-19 pandemic she recently moved back to the community. Her knowledge for the area, especially the herbs and plants is irreplaceable. She wonders what will happen to the place once she dies and there is no younger generation to pass the land along to.

Pig ears hang on a line at Chuy...ifornia, Mexico, December 2020.

26 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Pig ears hang on a line at Chuy Rojas house in Rancho el Paraje, Baja California, Mexico, December 2020.

On New Year’s Eve, Ra... and buys animals for a living.

27 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

On New Year’s Eve, Ramon Alvarez sits with his one year old daughter at his father in law’s ranch, Rancho El Paraje, Baja California, Mexico, December 2020. He also lives in a ranch, at his father’s place where he sells and buys animals for a living.

Joan stands outside his neighb...approach the systemic problem.

28 of 28 © 2024 Sofia Aldinio

Joan stands outside his neighbor's house at night in San Juanico, Baja California, Mexico, January, 2021. Water accumulates after a rainstorm. The last big storm came about three years ago, people say. San Juanico is facing their biggest drought in history. The town well is drying up and this past summer, residents had serious issues with the water levels. The government recently announced the cancelation of any new water contracts until the new well is dug. The immediacy of the issue faced by this small frontier town highlights just how close to the brink of survival many of these communities are and may provide a map for how to, or not to, approach the systemic problem.

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Thumbnail of An aerial view of San Jose de Gr_g off the canyon as one used to.

Thumbnail of A portrait of Miguel Murillo, in_unity by attracting more people.

Thumbnail of An abandoned house in San Jose d_ deteriorate into the landscape.

Thumbnail of The kids cemetery in San Jose d_nge in Baja California, Mexico.

Thumbnail of Andrea Murillo, Irma Murillo an_s with the community.

Thumbnail of Archival Photograph from San Jo_s salted and hung to preserved.

Thumbnail of Chuy Rojas holds a piece of guac_ he does, and his answer was no.

Thumbnail of Erick Rojas fights with a cow, _ily, it will likely be forever.

Thumbnail of An illustration from Crecencia A_w to swim, including Crencencia.

Thumbnail of Emilda and her family get togeth_tainable anymore, she describes.

Thumbnail of During mango season July and Au_n was canceled due to Covid-19.

Thumbnail of Crecencia Aguilar holds Avocado _ge is in danger of disappearing.

Thumbnail of Miguel Murillo cuts palms in San_e community still cutting palms.

Thumbnail of Archival photograph of someone c_Gracia, Baja California, Mexico.

Thumbnail of An empty fish net lays on the b_ges in Baja California, Mexico.

Thumbnail of A group of fishermen prepare to_ies and on their dinner tables.

Thumbnail of Garambullo can be found in the _r medicinal purposes.

Thumbnail of All the young families migrated_ries, finding new ways of life.

Thumbnail of Ornaments are placed in a rock _ California, Mexico, July 2021.

Thumbnail of Felipe and Olga, have been expe_ge in parts of Central America.

Thumbnail of A water tank is being replenish_rain storm was three years ago.

Thumbnail of An archival photograph from the_ies remain scattered.

Thumbnail of Erick Jr. Rojas swims next to hi_nothing in the past three years.

Thumbnail of Emilda and her family clean the _ more fish.” She said.

Thumbnail of Crecencia was born, raised and h_ation to pass the land along to.

Thumbnail of Pig ears hang on a line at Chuy _lifornia, Mexico, December 2020.

Thumbnail of On New Year’s Eve, Ram_s and buys animals for a living.

Thumbnail of Joan stands outside his neighbo_ approach the systemic problem.

Public Story

Until We Are Gone

Copyright Sofia Aldinio 2024

Updated Mar 2022

Location Array

Topics Climate Change, Culture stories, Mixed Medium, Photography

Across the Northern Baja Sur Region of Mexico, extreme drought has caused the depletion of water, essential vegetation, medicinal herbs, and wildlife, collectively pushing traditional subsistence communities and their heritage of living off the land to the brink of survival. The starkest example of this is in San Jose de Gracia, a 200 year old, once thriving canyon community of multi-generational families, where now only 21 people remain. This project highlights the uncertainty these communities face as possibly the last keepers of their cultural heritage as climate change upends their way of life and pushes the younger generations out in search of sustainable livelihoods.

Prevailing climate change conversations focus on extreme weather disasters, economics, and the politics of migration. What is missing from that dialogue is the steady erosion of cultures that were shaped by living off of the grid and directly off of the land for hundreds of years. This project will present new research on the impacts of climate change on three communities struggling to survive, and how the changes have presented in their lifetimes. Until We Are Gone will probe the haunting question of what happens to future generations when collective cultural memory is erased, and asks what critical lessons we can learn about perseverance, sustainability and adaptation from these communities as mankind braces itself for more extreme conditions across our planet.

Work in Progress.

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