Digital Humanities in Latin America ed. by Héctor Fernández L'Hoeste and Juan Carlos Rodríguez (review)

Reviewed by: Digital Humanities in Latin America ed. by Héctor Fernández L'Hoeste and Juan Carlos Rodríguez Edgar Gómez-Cruz Digital Humanities in Latin America. By Héctor Fernández L'Hoeste and Juan Carlos Rodríguez (eds. ). Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2020, p. 318, 28. 00. Digital Humanities in Latin America is a thought-provoking and comprehensive exploration of the dynamic relationship between technology and the humanities within the diverse and vibrant context of Latin America. Edited by Héctor Fernández L'Hoeste and Juan Carlos Rodríguez, this book assembles a collection of essays that illuminate the existing and potential connections between Digital Humanities (DH) and Latin American Studies, offering a diverse and multifaceted perspective on how digital technologies are being leveraged in the region. The book is thoughtfully organized into four main sections: "Digital Nations, " "Transnational Networks, " "Digital Aesthetics and Practices, " and "Interviews. " This structure enables readers to dive deep into the theoretical underpinnings of digital humanities in Latin America while also exploring studies that are shaping the field. The editors have done a commendable job in curating a diverse set of contributions, providing readers with exposure to a wide array of topics, methodologies, and viewpoints. A standout feature of this book is its commitment to bridging the gap between theoretical discussions and practical projects, all while examining the sociotechnical imaginaries present in the region. The first section, "Digital Nations, " delves into how technology is imagined on a national level but enacted by their citizens. Drawing examples from countries like Cuba, nation-branding projects in different countries of the region, or the implementation of international projects such as the One Laptop per Child computer in Paraguay, this first section shows the tensions between imagined uses of technology, and their actual implementation. In the second section, "Transnational Networks, " the book explores how different groups, including Latino/as in the US, Afrolatino/as, and local members of global organizations like Anonymous, have harnessed digital technologies to transcend state boundaries. These chapters reflect on broader issues such as participation, inclusion, race, and justice, providing valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society in Latin America, and offering some fruitful clues of the possibilities of a regional network. The third section, "Digital Aesthetics and Practices, " showcases various initiatives, organizations, and individuals that are actively shaping a unique Latin American digital culture. From Cuban documentaries and Ecuadorian YouTube shows to Mexican artivists, these chapters highlight the diverse and nuanced ways digital technologies are being used for creative expression, cultural projects, and political activism, providing clear examples of the tensions and opportunities presented in the first two chapters. End Page 175 In addition to scholarly contributions, the fourth section presents interviews with prominent figures in the field of Digital Humanities in Latin America. These conversations with leaders like Gimena del Rio Grande in Argentina, Ana Ligia Silva Medeiros in Brazil, and Isabel Galina Russell in Mexico offer valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities, and exciting projects taking place in the region. The book ends with a coda by the editors that both positions the chapters within a broader discussion about the region, opening up possibilities for a future agenda that engages with the DH in the Anglo-European world without renouncing itself to the epistemic and sociohistorical characteristics of a diverse region that shares many commonalities like Latin America. This is precisely one of the book's strengths: its focus on scholars and thinkers from Latin America, providing an alternative scholarly and cultural genealogy that reflects the region's unique realities. It engages with the field's development in the Global North while also highlighting power dynamics, inequality, participation, and access—crucial elements often overlooked in discussions of Digital Humanities in other regions but key to understand Latin America. However, as with any collection of essays, the quality and relevance of individual chapters may vary, depending on the reader's specific interests within the field of digital humanities. Nevertheless, the editors have skillfully curated a diverse range of perspectives, ensuring that there is something for everyone in this volume. In summary, Digital Humanities in Latin America significantly enriches the discourse on digital humanities and digital cultures. . .