REINAS

It was often said during the 80’s that Venezuela was known for "producing" oil and beautiful women. To this day, the country holds two world records: of international beauty crowns, and of the largest proven oil reserve in the world. In the words of anthropologist Marcia Ochoa, “the story of beauty in Venezuela is like the story of petroleum: by geographic coincidence, it appears in the land that the country occupies: a gift given to Venezuela”.

As a 90’s girl from Caracas, the words from the Miss Venezuela anthem are a direct link to my childhood: “On a night as beautiful as this, any of us could win”. Beauty could open doors, just as oil could open the world.

Both narratives, intertwined, created a phantasy of never-ending possibilities.

This project is being supported by the Deloitte Photo Grant