Radical Archaeologies: Unearthing Lima’s Sonic and Poetic Landscapes

This episode looks into artistic ruptures and subjectivities in Lima, Perú, forged during a period of authoritarianism, economic recession, and widespread social hopelessness to understand the cyclical nature of Peruvian politics. It revisits the Peruvian subte (underground) scene, which created a space for young people to channel their frustrations through music. Producer’s Note In Lima, Perú, between the mid-1980s and late 1990s, countercultural artistic movements emerged amidst a complex social and political crisis, followed by internal armed conflict and the Fujimori-Montesinos dictatorship (1990–2000). These artistic movements have endured the years of dictatorship and will hopefully also resist the most recent shift to, once again, authoritarian Peruvian politics. Since December 2022, Perú faces a new government, led by Dina Boluarte in the presidency and Fujimori’s party in Congress. In this context, this episode sheds light on Lima’s subte scene. It offers a critical intersectional perspective through the positions of academics who have researched the topic. It further delves into the theme of artistic dissidence through the voices of some of its protagonists, while exploring some of the unequal social structures that divide the city through an examination of the relationship of contemporary musicians and artists with the city of Lima.

Authors: Ale Hop, Alejandra Cárdenas

Contributors: Olga Rodriguez-Ulloa, Wicho García, Fabiola Bazo, Domingo de Ramos, Wilder Gonzales Agreda, Frau Diamanda, Javi Vargas Sotomayor, Luis Alvarado

Musician: Fil Uno, Ale Hop

Bonus Talk Moderator and Producer: Alonso Almenara

Artistic Editor: Suvani Suri

Project Manager: Hannes Liechti

Jingle Voiceover: Nana Akosua Hanson

Jingle Mix: Daniel Jakob

Mastering Engineer: Adi Flück, Centraldubs

Artwork: Šejma Fere

Video Trailer: Karrl

Copy Editor: Kathrin Hadeler