Amazons. The Ancestral Future at CCCB in Barcelona, Spain
A Journey Through the Amazonian World
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit Amazons. The Ancestral Future, an exhibition that delves into the immense cultural and ecological richness of the Amazon. Overall, I found it to be an informative, colorful, and well-presented display of the region’s vast heritage. It successfully highlighted indigenous voices and showcased a diverse range of artistic expressions that provided insight into Amazonian life, philosophy, and activism. However, while the exhibition excelled in its immersive presentation, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing—perhaps a deeper engagement with cultural objects or a more tangible sense of the everyday material culture of the people it sought to represent.
One of the exhibition’s greatest strengths was its ability to present Amazonia as more than just a geographical region; it framed it as a crucial part of our planet’s ecological and cultural future. Through a collective perspective, the exhibition underscored how Amazonian communities have developed sustainable relationships with their environment. The murals, photographs, and audiovisual installations transported visitors into the world of indigenous peoples, allowing them to hear their stories and understand their struggles against deforestation, climate change, and the ongoing exploitation of resources.
I particularly enjoyed the sensory journey the exhibition offered. The interplay of visuals, sounds, and narratives created an engaging atmosphere that emphasized the profound knowledge Amazonian cultures have about their land and traditions. The presence of artists such as Rember Yahuarcani, Elías Mamallacta, and the MAHKU collective brought the Amazon’s contemporary artistic expression into the heart of Barcelona. Their work was not just visually stunning but also deeply connected to themes of memory, identity, and resistance.
Despite these strengths, I left the exhibition wanting more. While it effectively communicated the voices and visions of Amazonian artists and thinkers, I felt that it lacked a substantial display of cultural artifacts—items that could have provided a stronger material connection to the people and their ways of life. The exhibition was rich in contemporary interpretations but could have benefited from including more traditional objects, such as textiles, ceramics, or ritual items, which would have deepened the understanding of daily life and spiritual practices within Amazonian communities.
Additionally, given the Amazon’s vast linguistic and ethnic diversity, a more explicit focus on language and oral traditions could have enriched the experience. While the audiovisual elements helped bring indigenous perspectives to life, direct encounters with linguistic heritage—perhaps through storytelling recordings or interactive elements—could have added another layer of depth to the exhibition.
Ultimately, Amazons. The Ancestral Future was a fascinating and well-curated experience that successfully presented Amazonia as a vibrant, living entity rather than a distant, abstract place. It made me reflect on the urgent environmental and social challenges facing the region and left me with a deeper appreciation for the resilience and wisdom of its people. However, I also left feeling that the exhibition could have gone a step further in incorporating more tangible cultural elements. Even so, it was a compelling tribute to a region that remains essential for the future of both our planet and our understanding of alternative ways of living in harmony with nature.