Homenaje a Paul Bardwell | Paul Bardwell tribute
La vida de Paul (22 de abril de 1955 – 29 de noviembre de 2004)
Paul se unió al Colombo Americano de Medellín como profesor, y su pasión y dedicación rápidamente lo llevaron a asumir el cargo de director en 1984. En esa época, el Colombo era un pequeño edificio de dos pisos, pero bajo su liderazgo, se transformó rápidamente en uno de los espacios culturales más importantes del centro de la ciudad. Paul reconstruyó la biblioteca bilingüe del Colombo luego de un atentado con bomba en los años 80, y desarrolló una galería de arte contemporáneo que le dio espacio a una gran cantidad de artistas locales, además de un programa de intercambio cultural que enriqueció tanto a Medellín como a las comunidades estadounidenses involucradas.
Con el también fallecido Luis Alberto Álvarez, Paul fundó Kinetoscopio, la revista especializada en crítica y apreciación cinematográfica más importante de Colombia. Sus ciclos de películas convirtieron al Colombo Americano en el epicentro del cine no comercial en Medellín, un punto de referencia indispensable para los amantes del séptimo arte. También, promovió el intercambio musical entre Colombia y Estados Unidos, trayendo diversos grupos musicales a la ciudad de Medellín, en especial de uno de sus géneros favoritos, el jazz.
Un legado imborrable en la historia cultural de Medellín
La gestión de Paul fue tan exitosa que se convirtió en un ejemplo de administración y cooperación para entidades binacionales, reconocimiento otorgado por diversas entidades gubernamentales de Estados Unidos. Su dedicación incansable y su capacidad para transformar el entorno lo hicieron merecedor de la Medalla al Mérito Cultural Porfirio Barba Jacob Categoría Oro, la más alta distinción que entrega la Alcaldía de Medellín a los gestores culturales, y del escudo de la Alma Máter por parte de la Universidad de Antioquia, en reconocimiento a su labor educativa y cultural.
Luis Alberto Álvarez, en su libro Páginas de Cine, dedicó unas palabras precisas a Paul: “A Paul Bardwell, restaurador del amor al cine en Medellín”. No se equivocaba: Paul convirtió al Centro Colombo Americano en un monumento al amor por el cine. Bajo su dirección, el Colombo se transformó en un faro cultural con dos teatros, una videoteca extensa, una biblioteca especializada, un centro de documentación, una galería de arte contemporáneo y varios programas de cine, entre ellos el ciclo rosa, el ciclo de cine infantil y la muestra de cine coreano.
Paul Bardwell era un hombre amable y sencillo, él mismo se definía como “un loco con buenas ideas al que no le daba miedo equivocarse”. Quienes lo conocieron se refieren a él como un visionario, un coleccionista cultural que siempre estaba a la vanguardia, y un amante de la música y los libros, cuya colección fue donada por la familia de Paul al Colombo Americano, permitiendo que su legado continúe inspirando a futuras generaciones. Paul falleció de cáncer el 29 de noviembre de 2004 en Medellín, Colombia, su muerte dejó un vacío inmenso, pero su legado vive en cada rincón del Colombo Americano de Medellín y en cada persona que tuvo el privilegio de conocerlo.
The Life and Work of Paul Bardwell (April 22nd, 1955 – November 29th, 2004)
Paul Bardwell was born on April 22nd, 1955, in Hatfield, Massachusetts. From a young age, he showed an insatiable curiosity for the world around him, mainly by listening at his grandmother’s house to the stories of Deborah, his great-aunt, who had traveled much of the world. At the age of ten his parents, Arthur Cory and Helen “Huddie” Bardwell, gave him a camera, marking the beginning of a life dedicated to art and culture. Besides photography, Paul developed a passion for music, thanks to his mother’s influence; also about literature and travel brochures, significant treasures he collected throughout his life. In 1974, he attended Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania to study Business Administration and Spanish, and later traveled to Mexico to perfect his Spanish. In 1977, during one of his many trips abroad, he arrived to Medellín, a city that enchanted him and where he decided to call home.
Paul joined the Colombo Americano Medellín as a teacher, and his passion and dedication quickly led him to take over the position of director in 1984. At that time, the Colombo was a small two-floor building, but under his leadership, it rapidly transformed into one of the most important cultural spaces in the downtown area. Paul rebuilt the Colombo’s bilingual library after a bomb attack in 1980 and developed a contemporary art gallery —today called the Paul Bardwell Contemporary Art Galleryl— that provided a space for a variety of local artists. He also initiated a cultural exchange program that enriched both Medellín and communities from the United Stated involved.
With Luis Alberto Álvarez, Paul co-founded Kinetoscopio, the most important and specialized magazine for film criticism and appreciation in Colombia. Additionally, Paul organized film screenings that turned the Colombo Americano into the epicenter of non-commercial cinema in Medellín, and a reference point for film enthusiasts. He also promoted musical exchange between Colombia and the United States, bringing diverse musical groups to Medellín, especially focusing on jazz, one of his favorite genres.
A lasting legacy in the cultural history of Medellín
Paul’s managerial skills were so successful that they became an example of administration and cooperation for binational entities, recognized by various governmental institutions in the United States. His tireless dedication and ability to transform the environment earned him the Porfirio Barba Jacob Cultural Merit Medal, Gold Category, the highest distinction awarded by the Mayor’s Office of Medellín to cultural managers, as well as the Shield of the Alma Mater by the University of Antioquia, in recognition of his educational and cultural work.
Luis Alberto Álvarez, in his book “Páginas de Cine,” dedicated precise words to Paul: “To Paul Bardwell who renewed Medellín’s love for cinema.” Luis was right: Paul turned the Centro Colombo Americano into a monument dedicated to the love of cinema. Under his leadership, the Colombo became a cultural lighthouse with two theaters, an extensive video library, a specialized library in cinema and cultural collections, a documentation center, and a space for several film programs, including the “Ciclo Rosa,” children’s film series, or the Korean film showcase.
Paul Bardwell was a kind and humble man who described himself as “a crazy person with good ideas, who was not afraid to make mistakes.” Those who knew him referred to him as a visionary, a cultural curator always at the forefront, and a lover of music and books. His collection was donated by Paul’s family to the Colombo Americano, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations. Paul passed away from cancer on November 29th, 2004, in Medellín, Colombia. His death left an immense void and sadness, but his legacy lives on in every corner of the Colombo Americano in Medellín and in every person who had the privilege of knowing him.