by InTrieste
With over 200 captivating photographs adorning its walls, the “Amazônia” exhibition by renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado, housed at the Salone degli Incanti from February 29th to October 13th, 2024, has been unveiled to the public.
Sponsored by the Municipality of Trieste’s Department of Culture and Tourism Policies and organized by Civita Mostre e Musei and Contrasto, the exhibition’s inauguration took place during a press conference on February 28th.
Following his acclaimed “Genesis” project, Salgado embarked on a new odyssey, traversing the Amazon rainforest to capture its unparalleled biodiversity and the indigenous peoples who call it home. His immersive documentation, spanning seven years and numerous tribal communities, aims to provoke contemplation on the imperative of environmental conservation.
Lélia Wanick Salgado, the curator and creative force behind the exhibition, expressed her vision, stating, “In crafting ‘Amazônia,’ my aim was to envelop visitors in the forest’s embrace, integrating them with its vibrant flora and the daily rhythms of indigenous life. We endeavor to underscore the ecological and human dimensions of this imperiled ecosystem.”
Sebastião Salgado elucidated on his intent, asserting, “This exhibition endeavors to transport visitors into the heart of the Amazon, offering glimpses into its verdant landscapes and the quotidian existence of its native denizens. It is incumbent upon each of us to safeguard this irreplaceable heritage, ensuring the forest and its inhabitants endure.”
The exhibition comprises two thematic strands. The first showcases landscape vistas, ranging from aerial perspectives of cascading waterfalls to the mist-shrouded peaks of Brazil’s mountains. The second strand spotlights the Amazon’s indigenous communities, featuring striking portraits and insights gleaned from interviews with tribal leaders.
Accompanying the visual spectacle is an immersive audio experience, meticulously curated by Jean-Michel Jarre, which transports attendees into the heart of the rainforest, evoking its symphony of sounds.
In addition to its artistic merits, the exhibition underscores a pressing ecological imperative. Salgado’s lens serves as a clarion call, urging global action to preserve the Amazon as a vital repository of biodiversity and a bastion of indigenous culture.
For Salgado, these images serve as testaments to what endures amidst impending loss. “My fervent hope is that, in fifty years’ time, this exhibition will not serve as a eulogy for a lost world,” he remarked. “The Amazon must endure, with its indigenous inhabitants at its heart.”
In shedding light on the Amazon’s unparalleled beauty, Salgado seeks to galvanize collective efforts toward its preservation. The forest, a fragile ecosystem, remains a shared responsibility—a verdant sanctuary that demands our stewardship.
For further information on the exhibition, including ticketing details and visiting hours, please visit salgadoamazonia.it.
