Seconded By: Frank Meo,
The Central Agricultural Market of Panama City, popularly known as the “Mercado de Abastos”, operated from April 10, 1984 to December 31, 2018. Its closure was finally ordered by the Government of Panama through Resolution No. 035/18 and the demolition of its spaces began on January 4, 2019.
This photographic series was developed during the last three months of existence of the market. The initial intention of the project aspired to a process of documentation of the characters, spaces, objects and activities that made up its identity.
During the development of the project we became accomplices of the characters, their stories and appreciation of life in the market, beginning a stage where empathy led us to reflect and reinterpret with an artistic eye the familiar scenes and anecdotes of everyday life.
Abastos
A view of one of the main buildings of the market through the windows of what used to be the administration.
Abastos
A Guna “carretillero” (cart-pusher) making effort to transport boxes loaded with goods.
Abastos
Backstage of the market, where the different products of merchants used to be sorted and stored.
Abastos
The truck bed, a common place for the quick exchange of products.
Abastos
A Guna woman carrying a bag of oranges and other goods bought in the market.
Abastos
A pensive merchant days before the official closing of the market.
Abastos
Spaces that used to be vibrant and full of people suddenly became silent.
Abastos
After the government gave the order to close the market, the demolition of all the buildings was fast and merchants were given a short time to move their belongings.
Abastos
Police officers took control of the site to prevent vandalism and people from nearby communities to get inside and steal materials from the demolition.
Abastos
A chapter of popular history in Panama City came to an abrupt end.