The exhibit, a collective call to action to protect the Amazon, will show how nature inspires artistic production in the region

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will open the Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub art exhibition on January 23. During the inauguration, the artist Olinda Silvano, an indigenous muralist, painter and textile artist from the Shipibo-Konibo community of Peru, will perform songs in her mother tongue, the same songs she performs while creating her murals.

The exhibit, developed in collaboration with the IDB's regional program, Amazonia Forever, brings together artworks that coalesce ancestral wisdom with the richness of the biosphere, creating a dynamic space of transdisciplinary connections between art, science and technology. The exhibition features prominent artists from IDB member countries, such as Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe (Venezuela), Roberto Huarcaya (Peru), Susana Mejía (Colombia), Gisela Motta & Leandro Lima (Brazil), Uýra (Brazil), and Olinda Silvano (Peru). Their creations explore the connection between humanity and nature. All the artists trace their origins to the Amazon region or have lived there, and their works embody the infinite inspiration that exists within the Amazon’s nature. 

Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub displays the region’s creativity and artistry, reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect and preserve this extraordinary ecosystem. It is an immersive experience that aims to inspire a sustainable and harmonious future for the Amazon region and our planet. The show includes installation, photography, video art, painting, and sound art, expressing the Amazon’s lushness through a diverse and inclusive approach.

"Art has a special capacity to raise awareness in society. The artists showcased in this exhibition use their work not only to attract attention but also to incite action. This exhibition is just that, a call to protect the Amazon ecosystem, crucial for everyone's future and a key climate regulator to combat global warming," said the Vice President of Sectors and Knowledge, Ana María Ibáñez.

The Amazon region contains more than half of the planet's remaining tropical rainforest as well as the largest and most biodiverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world. The region, home to over 50 million people from 511 ethnic groups, faces significant challenges arising from the disconnect between humanity and nature. Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub is a powerful testament to the urgent need to revive biocultural diversity and restore our bond with Planet Earth. The exhibition is a collective call to action to protect and conserve this unique region. 

"Through this innovative exhibit, focused on the artistic creativity and stunning beauty of the Amazon, we want to inspire people to take care of and conserve this invaluable region. This multisensory art show provides visitors with a unique experience of the Amazon's vibrant contemporary art," said Manuela Reyes, Senior Associate and curator of the IDB's Creativity and Culture Unit, who leads this exhibition.

Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub will be open to the public until September 30, 2024, at the IDB Cultural Center. Admission is free. Hours are Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.

The exhibition has been curated by Manuela Reyes and coordinated by Pedro Quijano. The graphic and exhibition design is created by Bijari.

For more information, please visit our website.

WHAT: Amazonia: A BioCreativity Hub art exhibition opening

WHEN: January 23, 2024, 4 p.m.

WHERE: IDB Cultural Center (1300 New York Ave, NW, Washington, D.C.) 

PRESS REGISTRATION: to participate in the event, please sign up by emailing press@iadb.org