A unique piece of Medellín’s digital and cultural history, signed by the master who immortalized Colombian art.

Do you want a piece of internet history in Colombia? This is your chance!

Auction

🗓️ Date: from October 4th until October 15th

* or until sold for the Buy it now price tag

‣

MAKE AN OFFER

‣

Most recent offers

The story

Every object we collect throughout our lives holds a unique story that gives it immeasurable value. This is the case of a “special” drawing by Maestro Fernando Botero, intimately linked to the early days of the Internet in Colombia.

In 1998, amidst a Medellín beginning to distance itself from a time marked by violence, we founded paisas.com, a project that transformed a simple business directory into a vibrant city guide. This portal became the first digital space dedicated to promoting the cultural wealth of Paisas, connecting Paisas worldwide and showcasing a different side of the city, far from the negative headlines that prevailed.

With the support of my family and a team of creative minds, we embarked on the mission to change the perception of Medellín, highlighting its culture, art, and people. Despite the skepticism towards the Internet in those days—when many doubted the viability of having websites or investing in digital advertising—we maintained our vision, demonstrating that the city had much more to offer the world.

My mother, a passionate defender of culture, was fortunate enough to meet Maestro Botero and establish a friendship with him. During the development of paisas.com, she asked for his support to include his work and story on our platform. Botero, with his characteristic generosity, agreed, allowing us to showcase his art through the portal and strengthen our role as a digital medium and ally of the Museum of Antioquia.

In 1999, paisas.com was acquired by StarMedia Networks, one of the leading dot-com companies in Latin America, expanding our reach and that of Botero’s work. A year later, during the inauguration of the Medellín Metro, Maestro Botero, in an intimate event, drew on cardboards for the attendees. In that special moment, I asked him for a unique drawing, and that’s how this object, which I am making available today, was born.

FIRMA DE BOTERO RECORRERÁ MEDELLÍN

Con su firma estampada en tres vagones, el pintor y escultor Fernando Botero condujo el Metro desde los patios, en Bello, hasta el Parque de Berrío, en el centro de Medellín.

www.eltiempo.com

Why am I going to auction it?

I am going through a challenging time, both emotionally and financially, after years of facing personal and family struggles. Over the past four years, I have experienced the devastating impact of burnout, caused by overwork and a constant addiction to dopamine generated by excessive screen use. The loss of my mother two years ago and the recent and arduous process of my father battling severe cancer have led me to deeply reconsider my relationship with technology and the frantic pace of modern life.

In this journey of reconnection and search for balance, I realized the urgent need to raise awareness about the impact of excessive technology use, especially on younger generations. My next project, La Cápsula, is a school of critical thinking aimed at educating the creative class and parents about conscious technology use and how to protect our mental and emotional well-being against constant digital stimulation.

My goal is to create a space where we can dialogue and learn about healthy screen use limits, while fostering adaptability and critical thinking in the integration of new technologies into our lives. The impact I hope to achieve is to prepare the new generations and their parents to face digital challenges with tools that promote a healthier and more balanced coexistence with technology, without losing sight of the importance of well-being and human connection.

By auctioning this piece signed by Maestro Botero, I not only aim to finance my next venture but also to free up time and resources to fully dedicate myself to this mission. La Cápsula will start as a virtual project, but my goal is to create a physical space where ideas and critical learning can flourish through workshops, gatherings, and face-to-face meetings.

This artwork represents, for me, the pride of belonging to a collective that fought to change the narrative of a territory scarred by violence, and its sale symbolizes a new chapter: one where we seek to adapt our minds and hearts to new technological challenges without losing sight of our humanity and the power of critical thinking.

I hope that whoever acquires this piece not only appreciates its historical and artistic value but also the message it carries: the importance of unity, adaptation, and collective progress. May this drawing serve as a reminder that technologies, used consciously and in balance, can become powerful tools to transform our territories into places of peace and progress."

If you are interested in becoming the new custodian of this unique piece and its history, please contact me using the MAKE AN OFFER form at the top of this page.

Who am I

I am Martín Giraldo, a pioneer at the intersection of culture and digital marketing in Latin America.

With over 30 years of experience, I have led innovative projects that have transformed the perception of digital culture as an executive producer and cultural strategist. I have collaborated with international entities like the British Council and organizations such as In Place of War, training entrepreneurs and creatives in the use of digital tools to achieve sustainability in their projects.

Throughout my career, I have worked with iconic brands like Red Bull, where I directed cultural marketing strategy in Brazil, positioning initiatives such as Red Bull Station as a hub of innovation in São Paulo. My work has been recognized for my ability to lead creative teams and manage the integration of advanced technologies into cultural projects that aim to resonate globally.

My current mission is focused on La Cápsula, a school that promotes critical thinking about technology use. This initiative stems from my personal challenges, including burnout and dopamine addiction caused by excessive screen use. After losing my mother and supporting my father in his battle against cancer, I realized the importance of rethinking our relationship with technology and its impact on our lives.

With La Cápsula, I aim to create a space for dialogue and learning that helps the creative class and parents navigate the digital world consciously, offering workshops and courses that empower future generations. This project seeks to foster a balanced use of technology, promoting mental and emotional well-being.

I invite you to be part of this journey by supporting my mission through the auction of this unique piece signed by Maestro Fernando Botero. By participating, you will not only be acquiring a historical object but also contributing to a cause that aims to prepare our communities for the challenges of the digital future.

Thank you for your time and for considering the opportunity to preserve this valuable memory.