Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A Visit to La Forja


Gilberto displays bars with horseheads. He said one takes him about two hours to make. 

La Forja, a metalworking shop in the heart of La Candelaria which doubles as an art gallery, is an extraordinary place to visit, as these photos try to show. A small operation, La Forja has only six employees. Its building was a convent, and La Forja's owners rent it from the sisters, who live in another convent to the south in La Cruces.

Calle 12 No. 2-90 Tel: 341-3377 or 336-0206. E-mail: laforjagaleria (at) hotmail (dot) com




Gilberto said this hand-worked bellows is centuries-old. The bellows still works, altho La Forja uses a motor driven one instead. 
Emma, La Forja's administrator, puts a finish on a panel which protects it from rust and gives it an aged appearance. The panel is to be sent to a customer in the United States.



Metalworks for sale.
Karen has worked in La Forja for about nine months. She learned on the job. 

A good place for photography.






On the walls, a mix of virgins, patriarchs and pin-ups.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

4 comments:

mauricio forero l said...

What an amazing place, love the shots too.

amanda said...

can you do a story on this please!?!?!?!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8M4_4-XpfuQ

Miguel said...

Hi Amanda,

Thanks for your suggestion. Actually, I have done a post on Colombian-made armored clothing for schoolkids. For the record, I think it's insane. School shootings are horrific, of course, but the likelihood of one is actually minute. Probably lots less likely than dying in a traffic accident on the way to school. Also, the very existence of armored school clothing is another sign of how insane our society has become. Parents shouldn't have to feel they need to armor their kids because madmen, criminals and murders have easy access to guns.

Mike

Stuart Oswald said...

Think all governments should ban bombs. Oh wait, they are banned! Strange one when off then the other day.