Art is a cornerstone of the creative economy. It creates jobs and wealth, generates positive social change, and has the potential to transform entire communities. That’s why art holds a special place at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which has long advocated for the integration of art, creativity, and culture into public policies across Latin America and the Caribbean.
As the leading advocate for incorporating art into development initiatives, the IDB champions the power of art as a tool for change, positioning itself as the leading multilateral organization utilizing art for social transformation. The Bank recognizes the potential of artistic expressions to transcend cultural barriers, promote inclusion, and foster dialogue on pressing issues.
Additionally, art and culture can be a vehicle for raising environmental awareness for the conservation of nature, the Amazon region, and local communities. The IDB is committed to harnessing the transformative power of art to address social and environmental challenges.
This commitment is reflected in the efforts of the IDB’s Art and Transformation Program to cultivate a dynamic synergy between art and the IDB’s Regional Program: Amazon Forever, aiming to contribute to a more vibrant and sustainable future for the Amazon. This endeavor to foster dialogue and actions for sustainable development resulted in the art exhibition “Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub,” which focuses on the Amazon by highlighting the richness of the region’s biosphere and the ancestral wisdom of its people.
About “Amazonia: A Hub of BioCreativity”
This art exhibition is an immersive experience that aims to inspire a sustainable and harmonious future for the region and the planet by offering a unique opportunity to discover the vibrant contemporary art of the Amazon. It is a multisensory exhibition showcasing the boundless creativity of an irreplaceable part of our world.
Like many exhibitions, this one sends a message: it serves as a collective call to protect one of our greatest shared treasures, the Amazon rainforest. The featured artists have their origins in the Amazon region or have lived there. Their works embody the infinite inspiration found in the Amazonian nature, with biodiversity acting as a creative entity through a spectrum of lush colors. This constellation of works includes installation, photography, performance, video art, painting, and sound art, expressing the exuberance of the Amazon with a diverse and inclusive approach.
Public Programming
The artworks presented in the exhibition portray transdisciplinary connections between art, science, and technology. This intersection is encapsulated in the curatorial concept of “BioCreativity,” which addresses the intersection between Amazonian artistic creations and the vibrant force and biodiversity of the natural world they reflect. The selection of works channels the language of the tropical rainforest, and the featured artists are not just creators but mediators who express the urgent need to protect and preserve the Amazon. The exhibition aims to reflect how Amazonian nature inspires regional artistic production and how this intersection is fertile ground for creativity, exploration, and innovation.
As part of “Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub,” the IDB Cultural Center presented a series of public events designed to foster dialogue and deepen understanding of the concepts expressed in the exhibition. Through a diverse range of activities, such as panel discussions, curatorial tours, performances, and workshops, this program brings together a variety of voices, including artists featured in the exhibition, the exhibition curator, IDB experts, and other special guests, to address development issues through the lens of creativity and culture. The program’s objectives are to raise awareness about the Amazon, its conservation and creativity, promote interaction with the city of Washington, D.C., and provide a space for the public to learn about the IDB’s work in a unique way.
Sustainable Development, Environmentally Committed Art, and Local Culture Preservation
As part of this initiative, on June 5th, the IDB organized a virtual panel on “Sustainable Development, Environmentally Committed Art, and Local Culture Preservation,” to contribute to the important conversation about the role of art and culture in driving changes for a sustainable future in the Amazon region.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from two experts on the Amazon, each representing different roles in addressing the region’s challenges:
- Roberto Huarcaya is a renowned Peruvian artist and photographer who combines photography with a deep interest in nature. His photographic series “Amazogramas” is exhibited in “Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub,” and his work “Cosmic Traces” is currently representing Peru at the Venice Biennale. His work has been exhibited at the Havana, Lima, and Venice Biennials and is part of important collections, such as the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, the Museum of Latin American Art in California, and the MUAC-UNAM in Mexico. Huarcaya transforms the Amazon into a vibrant canvas, bringing to life the enchanting landscapes and diverse ecosystems of this critical area. His art not only celebrates the natural world but also inspires us to recognize and preserve its unmatched beauty.
- Sarah duPont is the president and founder of Amazon Aid, an organization committed to the protection and conservation of the Amazon and raising awareness about the importance of this vital ecosystem. Sarah is an award-winning humanitarian, philanthropist, educator, filmmaker, and staunch advocate for ecological preservation. She works with scientists to study Amazonian biodiversity with the aim of educating the public and promoting innovative conservation practices and on-the-ground solutions for the region. She is also the producer and co-director of the award-winning film River of Gold and the short documentary Mercury Uprising, which address illegal and unregulated gold mining in the Amazon rainforest.
Both shared insights gained from working in the Amazon, tackling the region’s pressing issues. Roberto narrated his immersive experience in the Bahuaja Sonene Natural Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon and how it led him to experiment with his photographic process, resulting in a unique form of large-scale photography that captures the intricate details and vastness of the tropical rainforest. Sarah shared her experience as a filmmaker and environmental advocate, specifically addressing illegal gold mining, and how collaborative efforts between artists and organizations can amplify the conservation message and promote sustainable practices in the region.
Ana María Ibáñez, Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge at the IDB and panel moderator, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts: “The IDB promotes collective efforts involving artists, policymakers, and sustainable development advocates. Our goal is to foster collaboration and innovative solutions for the well-being of the Amazon region, balancing economic prosperity with environmental preservation.”
Watch the virtual panel here.
Performance by Brazilian Artist Uýra
Uýra, whose work is part of the exhibition “Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub,” is a trans, indigenous Brazilian artist, biologist, art educator, and holds a master’s degree in Ecology. Uýra uses her body as a medium to weave a tapestry of emotions, stories, and cultural elements that shed light on the struggles and triumphs of marginalized communities, advocating for the rights of the LGBTQI+ community and the indigenous peoples of the Amazon.
As part of the exhibition’s public programming, on May 25th, Uýra performed at Freedom Plaza in the heart of Washington, D.C. She presented “Ponto Final, Ponto Seguido,” a powerful artistic act performed for the first time in the city. In her performance, she explored the resurgence of life obscured by colonial materialities and imaginaries: lands, memories, waters, and forests lying beneath the asphalt. The performance, acclaimed at festivals and programs in five countries, allowed the audience to interact and immerse themselves in this unique experience.
For development to be sustainable, it must be inclusive. Art is a fundamental tool for social transformation as it promotes the inclusion of diverse local communities, leveraging their talents and capabilities to drive the socioeconomic development of the Amazon region.
In the words of IDB President Ilan Goldfajn, who opened the event: “The IDB promotes development through the lens of creativity and culture, working with contemporary artists. It uses art to promote equality, focusing on gender equality and the inclusion of diverse populations. The Bank invests in women and girls, indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants, and LGBTQ+ communities. By doing so, it promotes the work of artists from diverse backgrounds and creates welcoming spaces for all.” Uýra’s unique performative ritual exemplifies the IDB’s commitment to inclusive sustainable development and celebrates the pride, creativity, and activism of the Amazon region.
Check out the highlights of the performance here.
Curatorial Tours and Upcoming Events
The IDB’s Art and Transformation Program has also organized curatorial tours of the exhibition “Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub,” led by curator Manuela Reyes and D.C. content creators Jade Womack (@ClockoutDC) and Chloe Zhang (@ChloeinDC). In this way, the IDB invites the city to participate and learn more about the Bank’s work from a creative perspective.
More events, performances, workshops, panel discussions, and guided tours will take place in the second half of 2024. Stay informed by subscribing to the IDB’s communications.
Visit the Exhibition
The art exhibition “Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub,” is open to the public until January 15, 2025, at the IDB Cultural Center (1300 New York Ave, NW, Washington, D.C.). Admission is free. Visiting hours are Monday to Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, or online in its virtual version.
Visit the exhibition and immerse yourself in the intersection of art and environmental advocacy for the Amazon to learn how we can protect this invaluable region.
Discover more here.
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