Atlantis of Galicia Video
Aceredo
Spain, 2022

The Spanish village of Aceredo disappeared beneath the water in 1992 when a Portuguese hydroelectric power plant created the Alto Lindoso reservoir. In recent years, a large part of northern Spain has been affected by severe drought, causing parts of the village to re-emerge above the waterline. Five other villages were also submerged at the time, despite protests from their inhabitants. It is not the first time these villages have resurfaced. The prolonged drought in this usually rainy region has caused the water level to drop to just 15 percent of its usual level. According to the mayor of the nearby village of Lobios, the situation is a clear consequence of the climate changes of recent years. At the same time, the geopolitical situation has also played a role, as Portugal has closed six nearby dams for irrigation and power generation, which has further contributed to the problem.

Hans Wilschut became fascinated by the desolate and dystopian character of the area. He spent around ten days in the vicinity of the reservoir, filming and photographing the landscape. He chose the early hours of the day to avoid the flow of tourists. This resulted in a number of photographic works and in the video piece Atlantis of Galicia.