The Amazon rainforest is a cosmic lab for the invention of shapes of life and matter, a complex ecosystem that holds a collection of memories of the experience of life on Earth. But this great biodiversity is reaching its tipping point. Human and non-human life in the Forest is constantly affected by local and global dynamics. Motivated by global capitalism, illicit economies are invading protected forest areas and indigenous territories, generating a cycle of extermination and threats to life. At the same time, global warming is deeply transforming the biophysical assets of the Amazon, causing a serious change in its landscapes.
HOW CAN ART HELP TO DEVELOP NEW STRATEGIES FOR THE EXPANSION OF environmental JUSTICE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE AMAZON? ⬎
Nature is a discursive concept and different artistic languages play a key role when raising awareness about the environment. Art’s long history of experimentation has fostered a series of practices, matters, sensorialities and narratives that give a new meaning to life and to the anthropogenic transformations on the planet.
“Speculative Ecologies” is an international program focused on the creation of a new sensitive regime stimulated by narratives that foster nature-cultures agencies. In the expanded field of the forest, coexistence is part of the poetic and artistic process and will be inspiration for the creation of artistic languages in dialogue with the challenges of the Amazon.
FROM A WAY OF SEEING TO A WAY OF LIVING AND COEXISTING IN THE LAND
To be immerse, to interact, and to exchange energy with the nonhuman life forms can be an important part of the artistic process. We understand the Forest as a important place for the production of knowledge and we encourage a series of non-formal and experimental meetings of learning together.
The program will be held in August 2023, curated by Lilian Fraiji with the participation of the philosopher Emanuele Coccia and mediation by experts from the Amazon Region (activists, indigenous expert, anthropologists, biologists and natural history researchers). It is supported by the National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA), Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMbio), University of the Arts London and the French Embassy in Brazil.
In its 13th edition, the International Program Speculative Ecologies will focus on the COP-30 discussions, which will take place in the Amazon (Belém) in 2025. The conference will have the mission of rescuing the credibility of the climate negotiations and will count on broad artistic participation, in a joint effort to press for new targets for cutting emissions by 2035.
With the participation of important COP-30 interlocutors, Speculative Ecologies will be held in November, near Manaus Region. The residency program is curated by Lilian Fraiji and the environmentalist Flavia Santana, with the participation of international guests and the mediation of experts from the Amazon Region (activists, indigenous leaders, anthropologists, ecologists and natural history researchers)
