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Photographers Chronicle Cumbia's Influence Across Americas
Photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky have launched a major visual series documenting cumbia’s journey from its Colombian roots across six countries, highlighting its cultural significance.



New Series Documents Cumbia's Path Across the Americas
Photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky have released a comprehensive visual documentary chronicling the journey of cumbia, one of Latin America's most influential musical genres. The project traces the music from its origins in Colombia to its modern-day expressions across the Americas.
Supported by the National Geographic Explorer Program, the series is the culmination of extensive travel and immersive fieldwork.
Project Scope
The documentary follows cumbia's cultural footprint through several key locations:
Colombia
Mexico
Ecuador
Peru
Argentina
The United States
Their work, presented in bilingual "Picture Shows," captures not only the music but also the communities and traditions that have shaped and been shaped by cumbia. A curated playlist accompanies the visual narrative, offering a rich auditory experience. More about their approach can be seen through their work with outlets like Panos Pictures.
New Series Documents Cumbia's Path Across the Americas
Photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky have released a comprehensive visual documentary chronicling the journey of cumbia, one of Latin America's most influential musical genres. The project traces the music from its origins in Colombia to its modern-day expressions across the Americas.
Supported by the National Geographic Explorer Program, the series is the culmination of extensive travel and immersive fieldwork.
Project Scope
The documentary follows cumbia's cultural footprint through several key locations:
Colombia
Mexico
Ecuador
Peru
Argentina
The United States
Their work, presented in bilingual "Picture Shows," captures not only the music but also the communities and traditions that have shaped and been shaped by cumbia. A curated playlist accompanies the visual narrative, offering a rich auditory experience. More about their approach can be seen through their work with outlets like Panos Pictures.
New Series Documents Cumbia's Path Across the Americas
Photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky have released a comprehensive visual documentary chronicling the journey of cumbia, one of Latin America's most influential musical genres. The project traces the music from its origins in Colombia to its modern-day expressions across the Americas.
Supported by the National Geographic Explorer Program, the series is the culmination of extensive travel and immersive fieldwork.
Project Scope
The documentary follows cumbia's cultural footprint through several key locations:
Colombia
Mexico
Ecuador
Peru
Argentina
The United States
Their work, presented in bilingual "Picture Shows," captures not only the music but also the communities and traditions that have shaped and been shaped by cumbia. A curated playlist accompanies the visual narrative, offering a rich auditory experience. More about their approach can be seen through their work with outlets like Panos Pictures.



The Origins and Significance of Cumbia
Cumbia emerged on Colombia’s Caribbean coast during the colonial era. It is a rich cultural fusion, born from a blend of African, Indigenous, and European influences.
Initially the soundtrack of the working class, the genre evolved as it spread, symbolizing Latin American identity and the stories of migration.
A Cultural Unifier
As detailed in NPR's visual series featuring their work, cumbia became a cultural fixture in both rural villages and bustling urban centers. Its ability to adapt to new cultural contexts in each country it reached is a central theme of the photographers' project. The music serves as a vessel for cultural resilience and community connection across the hemisphere.
The Origins and Significance of Cumbia
Cumbia emerged on Colombia’s Caribbean coast during the colonial era. It is a rich cultural fusion, born from a blend of African, Indigenous, and European influences.
Initially the soundtrack of the working class, the genre evolved as it spread, symbolizing Latin American identity and the stories of migration.
A Cultural Unifier
As detailed in NPR's visual series featuring their work, cumbia became a cultural fixture in both rural villages and bustling urban centers. Its ability to adapt to new cultural contexts in each country it reached is a central theme of the photographers' project. The music serves as a vessel for cultural resilience and community connection across the hemisphere.
The Origins and Significance of Cumbia
Cumbia emerged on Colombia’s Caribbean coast during the colonial era. It is a rich cultural fusion, born from a blend of African, Indigenous, and European influences.
Initially the soundtrack of the working class, the genre evolved as it spread, symbolizing Latin American identity and the stories of migration.
A Cultural Unifier
As detailed in NPR's visual series featuring their work, cumbia became a cultural fixture in both rural villages and bustling urban centers. Its ability to adapt to new cultural contexts in each country it reached is a central theme of the photographers' project. The music serves as a vessel for cultural resilience and community connection across the hemisphere.



Behind the Lens: An Immersive Approach
Both photographers are known for their deep, long-term engagement with the communities they document, a method that brings authenticity to their storytelling.
Karla Gachet, an Ecuadorian photographer, has spent nearly 15 years documenting Latin American culture and indigenous rights, with her work often featured by National Geographic. Ivan Kashinsky, a Californian, has worked extensively across Latin America, often collaborating with Gachet on projects for globally recognized publications.
How to View the Series
The visual series is accessible through several platforms, offering galleries and slideshows of their work. Key stories and images from the cumbia project have been published by public broadcasters and news organizations, providing a comprehensive look at this vibrant musical culture.
Behind the Lens: An Immersive Approach
Both photographers are known for their deep, long-term engagement with the communities they document, a method that brings authenticity to their storytelling.
Karla Gachet, an Ecuadorian photographer, has spent nearly 15 years documenting Latin American culture and indigenous rights, with her work often featured by National Geographic. Ivan Kashinsky, a Californian, has worked extensively across Latin America, often collaborating with Gachet on projects for globally recognized publications.
How to View the Series
The visual series is accessible through several platforms, offering galleries and slideshows of their work. Key stories and images from the cumbia project have been published by public broadcasters and news organizations, providing a comprehensive look at this vibrant musical culture.
Behind the Lens: An Immersive Approach
Both photographers are known for their deep, long-term engagement with the communities they document, a method that brings authenticity to their storytelling.
Karla Gachet, an Ecuadorian photographer, has spent nearly 15 years documenting Latin American culture and indigenous rights, with her work often featured by National Geographic. Ivan Kashinsky, a Californian, has worked extensively across Latin America, often collaborating with Gachet on projects for globally recognized publications.
How to View the Series
The visual series is accessible through several platforms, offering galleries and slideshows of their work. Key stories and images from the cumbia project have been published by public broadcasters and news organizations, providing a comprehensive look at this vibrant musical culture.
What are some of the most iconic cumbia performances documented by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky?
The documentary series by Gachet and Kashinsky focuses on the cultural breadth of cumbia rather than specific iconic performances. They documented a wide array of cumbia expressions, from traditional gatherings on Colombia’s Caribbean coast to urban music scenes in Mexico, Peru, and Argentina, and its presence within Latinx communities in the United States.
What are some of the most iconic cumbia performances documented by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky?
The documentary series by Gachet and Kashinsky focuses on the cultural breadth of cumbia rather than specific iconic performances. They documented a wide array of cumbia expressions, from traditional gatherings on Colombia’s Caribbean coast to urban music scenes in Mexico, Peru, and Argentina, and its presence within Latinx communities in the United States.
What are some of the most iconic cumbia performances documented by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky?
The documentary series by Gachet and Kashinsky focuses on the cultural breadth of cumbia rather than specific iconic performances. They documented a wide array of cumbia expressions, from traditional gatherings on Colombia’s Caribbean coast to urban music scenes in Mexico, Peru, and Argentina, and its presence within Latinx communities in the United States.
How has cumbia evolved in different countries as documented by the photographers?
How has cumbia evolved in different countries as documented by the photographers?
How has cumbia evolved in different countries as documented by the photographers?
What challenges did Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky face while documenting cumbia across Latin America?
What challenges did Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky face while documenting cumbia across Latin America?
What challenges did Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky face while documenting cumbia across Latin America?
How does cumbia symbolize Latin American identity according to the photographers?
How does cumbia symbolize Latin American identity according to the photographers?
How does cumbia symbolize Latin American identity according to the photographers?
What are some unique cultural influences visible in the cumbia documented by Gachet and Kashinsky?
What are some unique cultural influences visible in the cumbia documented by Gachet and Kashinsky?
What are some unique cultural influences visible in the cumbia documented by Gachet and Kashinsky?