The production of earth-based paint as an endogenous resource in the province of Azuay, Ecuador

Abstract

In the canton of Oña exist a considerable diversity of mineral pigments, known as “earth pigments ", with which paints can be made in an artisan way. This research presents the results of the first stage of the “earth pigments” project, whose main objective is to contribute to the knowledge of the production, application and use of earth-based paints in the province of Azuay, for its application in the conservation of heritage as well as in contemporary architecture. To fulfill this objective, testimonies were collected of people and building contractors who use soils in an empirical way for the preparation of artisan paint, and thereby rescuing traditional materials and techniques. The identification of the tones present in the architecture of Oña and Susudel was carried out through the prospecting of a strategicsample, obtaining a palette of historical colors corresponding to the walls of its heritage buildings. This research furthermore proposes a process of territorial entrepreneurship that will have a direct impact on the sectors that historically have been interconnected productively with the use of its soils and that can be linked inherently with other economic activities of the region.

Keywords:Territorial development, cultural entrepreneurship, Oña, mineral pigments, handmade paint, earth pigments.