by InTrieste
A remarkable fusion of art and environmental consciousness will unfold this weekend at the Salone degli Incanti in Trieste, where the evocative exhibition Sebastião Salgado: Amazônia is currently on display. On Saturday, August 31st, and Sunday, September 1st, visitors will have the rare opportunity to witness a live artistic performance, The Lands of Art: Amazonia, which promises to further immerse the public in the beauty and urgency of protecting the world’s largest rainforest.
Organized by the Trieste Academy of Comics in collaboration with the City of Trieste, Civita Mostre e Musei, and Contrasto, this event will see 24 accomplished artists—including comic book illustrators and graphic storytellers—working side by side to create a visual narrative inspired by the breathtaking photographs of Salgado. Best known for his monumental black-and-white images, the acclaimed Brazilian photographer spent years documenting the Amazon rainforest, capturing both its majestic landscapes and the lives of its indigenous peoples. The exhibition, which runs until October 13, 2024, is curated by Lélia Wanick Salgado and has already drawn thousands of visitors.
In a unique twist, the artists involved in The Lands of Art: Amazonia will take on a challenge typically reserved for cinema: using the “long take” technique, they will produce a continuous, unbroken illustrated story. This method, borrowed from filmmaking but adapted to visual art, will see the 24 artists contributing individual panels that seamlessly come together to form a single, cohesive tapestry-like artwork. Rendered in monochromatic tones—black, white, and gray—the completed work will evoke the haunting depth and intensity of Salgado’s photography, while also highlighting the critical role the Amazon plays as a vital “green lung” for the planet.
Indeed, the project serves as both an homage and a statement. The resulting mural, rich in detail and narrative, will reflect the awe-inspiring grandeur of the rainforest while reinforcing the urgency of its conservation. The performance coincides with the final weeks of Salgado’s Amazônia, an exhibition that has traveled the globe and garnered critical acclaim for its ability to convey the fragile beauty of one of the earth’s most threatened ecosystems.
“This artistic event bridges different forms of expression—photography, illustration, and environmental activism—into one,” said Lélia Wanick Salgado, the exhibition’s curator. “It is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire change.”
For those lucky enough to be in Trieste this weekend, the live performances by these talented illustrators offer an intimate look at the creative process. Visitors can observe as the work unfolds before their eyes, watching as each artist adds their piece to the sprawling graphic tapestry.
The Sebastião Salgado: Amazônia exhibition itself continues to be a centerpiece for environmental art lovers. The vast collection of photographs offers a stirring visual exploration of the Amazon basin, capturing everything from the thick mist rolling over dense canopies to the dignified portraits of indigenous communities that call the forest home. Zurich is the global sponsor of the exhibition’s international tour, and illycaffè is supporting its Trieste leg.
The Lands of Art is part of a larger initiative designed to bring together the diverse “continents” of the artistic world—visual art, literature, music, and more—creating connections between disciplines that might otherwise remain separate. This project, born from a desire to explore the universal language of creativity, aims to bridge the gap between imagination and reality.
The exhibition is open to the public six days a week, from Monday through Sunday (except Tuesday) from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Tickets and more information are available at www.salgadoamazonia.it.
For art and nature enthusiasts alike, this weekend’s event promises to be a profound and unforgettable experience—a testament to the power of artistic collaboration in service of environmental awareness.
Sebastião Salgado: Amazônia
On view through October 13, 2024
Salone degli Incanti, Trieste
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM
