Sebastião Salgado's Amazônia exhibition in Trieste: A Visual Journey Through the Heart of the Brazilian Rainforest
Salgado's Photographic Journey and Conservation Crusade
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As my journey through Italy drew to a close, one final destination awaited: the enchanting city of Trieste, where an extraordinary spectacle awaited me – the Amazonia exhibition by the renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado. Tucked away in the vibrant cultural landscape of Trieste, this exhibition promised to be a captivating immersion into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. With eager anticipation, I embarked on this final leg of my Italian adventure, ready to be transported into the mesmerizing world captured through Salgado's lens.
As a fervent admirer of Sebastião Salgado's captivating photographic narratives, the opportunity to delve into his Amazonia exhibition was an irresistible summons. Initially unveiled at the Philharmonie de Paris in 2021 amidst the challenges of a pandemic-ridden world, the exhibition embarked on a triumphant journey through Italy, gracing the cities of Rome and Milan in 2023 before finally landing in Trieste in 2024, beckoning me from Venice to immerse myself in its awe-inspiring depths.
Nestled at the docks of Trieste lies the “Salone degli Incanti,” the distinguished venue for Salgado's magnum opus. It was within these hallowed halls that I found myself, brimming with anticipation, ready to embark on a visual odyssey through the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. Curated with finesse by Lélia Wanick Salgado, the exhibition endeavors to envelop visitors in the embrace of the forest, unveiling its vibrant flora and the daily rhythms of indigenous life. Through Salgado's discerning lens, attendees are transported into the very core of the Amazon, offered glimpses of its lush landscapes and the resilient existence of its indigenous inhabitants. The interplay between sweeping vistas and poignant portraits weaves a narrative that underscores both the ecological grandeur and the human essence of this imperiled ecosystem.
“In creating ‘Amazônia,’ I aimed to construct an environment where the visitor feels immersed in the forest, integrated with its lush vegetation and the daily life of indigenous populations. My idea was to present these images, accompanied by relevant texts, to emphasize the beauty of this nature and its inhabitants, as well as its ecological and human dimension, all of which are so threatened today and essential to protect and preserve.” Lélia Wanick Salgado
Salgado: A Visual Maestro
Sebastião Salgado transcends the realm of mere photography; he emerges as a visual storyteller, a chronicler of the human spirit, and a witness to Earth's most extraordinary vistas. With his distinctive blend of monochrome composition and evocative lighting, Salgado has amassed a body of work spanning decades and continents. His name stands tall among the luminaries of photojournalism, alongside iconic figures such as Robert Capa, Ansel Adams, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Sebastiao Salgado © Stefano Dal Pozzolo/Contrasto
What sets Salgado apart is his knack for imbuing his works with a potent political message, all while retaining an undeniable aesthetic allure. Whether documenting the ravages of war in Rwanda or the struggles of Brazilian gold miners, his photographs possess a rare ability to captivate and provoke, drawing viewers into a poignant dialogue on pressing global issues.
Amazonia: A Window into the Heart of the Rainforest
Entering the "Amazonia" exhibition by Sebastião Salgado felt like stepping into another world—a world where the beauty of nature and the resilience of indigenous cultures collide with the harsh realities of environmental destruction. As I walked through the dimly lit gallery at the Salone degli Incanti, I was immediately struck by the power and poignancy of Salgado's photographs, which served as a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect our planet's most precious ecosystems.
For seven years, Salgado turned his lens to the far corners of the Brazilian Amazon, embarking on a journey that would test both his skills as a photographer and his endurance as an explorer. In this vast and untamed wilderness—where the immense power of nature is palpable at every turn—Salgado captured images that are both breathtaking and haunting. It was a world unlike any he had encountered before, where the boundaries between civilization and wilderness blur and the rhythm of life is dictated by the ebb and flow of the river.
Salgado's previous work, including his renowned “Genesis” project, served as a precursor to Amazonia, a testament to his lifelong dedication to documenting the beauty and diversity of our planet. From the icy landscapes of Antarctica to the sweeping plains of Africa, Salgado's photographs have always been characterized by their raw emotion and breathtaking beauty.
The exhibition begins with a series of striking aerial views, offering sweeping shots of immense waterfalls and stormy skies. These captivating images provide a bird's-eye perspective of the Amazon's vastness and grandeur. The exhibition is carefully curated to resemble a maze, a dense forest that transports you deep into the heart of the Brazilian rainforest. Moving deeper into the exhibition, visitors encounter photographs capturing the phenomenon of "flying rivers" – a unique feature of the Amazon rainforest where the air humidity system is sustained by the forest itself. Each tree disperses hundreds of liters of water per day, creating aerial rivers that are larger than the Amazon River itself. Salgado's photographs vividly depict the intricacies of this natural process, highlighting the vital role of the rainforest in regulating the Earth's climate.
The exhibition also showcases Brazil's majestic mountain ranges, with peaks shrouded in mist and rainforest-covered slopes. Through Salgado's lens, viewers are transported to the rugged beauty of the Amazonian terrain, where towering mountains stand in harmony with lush vegetation. The landscapes capture the moodiness and diversity of the Amazon, showcasing its majestic beauty and rich natural heritage. Each photograph is carefully composed, highlighting the intricate details of the rainforest terrain. These breathtaking images, taken during Salgado's exploration of the Amazon region, capture the sheer scale and complexity of this vast wilderness. From towering trees to meandering rivers to mist-shrouded mountains, each photograph is a testament to the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
As visitors continue their journey, they are enveloped by the dense foliage and vibrant biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. Once referred to as the "Green Hell," the Amazon is now recognized as a precious natural treasure. Salgado's photographs offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of life within the forest, capturing the diverse flora and fauna that call it home.
Indigenous Communities: Guardians of the Rainforest
A notable aspect of the exhibition is the distinction between landscapes and images of people. Through his photographs, he not only captured the stunning landscapes of the Amazon but also the stories of the indigenous communities who call it their home. At the heart of the exhibition gallery, nestled amidst the towering photographs of the Amazonian landscapes, lay three orange oval structures reminiscent of communal buildings in Amazonian communities (called ocas) that served as sanctuaries for the indigenous tribes and communities.
Encircled by images of winding rivers, lush forests, and majestic mountains, these galleries stood as symbolic and literal representations of the vital role that indigenous peoples play in preserving the heart of the Rainforest. Stepping into these intimate spaces felt like entering the sacred ground, where the rich gallery of indigenous cultures unfolded before my eyes. These tribes include the Awa-Guajá, Marubo, Korubo, Waurá, Kamayurá, Kuikuro, Suruwahá, Asháninka, Yawanawá, Yanomami, Macuxi, and Zo’é.
Each gallery was dedicated to a different ethnic group or tribe, offering a glimpse into their way of life, their traditions, and their connection to the natural world. Each featured recorded testimonies, woven seamlessly into the exhibition, offered a glimpse into their way of life and the challenges they face in the face of deforestation and environmental degradation. Many of these tribes have remained secluded from the outside world. The true beauty of Salgado's work lies in its ability to give voice to the voiceless. One of the most remarkable aspects of his photographs is the revelation that some of these tribes have never had contact with the outside world, a reality protected by the Brazilian constitution since 1988. This deliberate isolation has allowed these communities to preserve their ancestral heritage and traditions over millennia, untouched by modern civilization.
The photographs vividly depict the intricate ways in which these tribes interact with their natural surroundings. From extracting toxins from specific plants for hunting purposes to using pigments derived from trees as body paint, each tribe has developed its own unique techniques and practices for survival and self-expression. One striking aspect captured in Salgado's photographs is the use of body paint among the indigenous communities. Both men and women adorn themselves with elaborate patterns, using paint not only as a form of decoration but also as a means of cultural expression.
Accompanied by an original soundtrack—a ‘symphony-world’ created by Jean-Michel Jarre using concrete sounds from the forest—the exhibition offered an immersive experience like no other. As I wandered through the sections, I felt as though I had been transported to the heart of the rainforest, surrounded by the sights and sounds of this mystical realm.
“My wish, with all my heart, with all my energy, with all the passion I possess, is that in 50 years, this exhibition does not resemble a testimony of a lost world. The Amazon must continue to live – and always hold in its heart its indigenous inhabitants.” Sebastião Salgado
What sets "Amazônia" apart is Salgado's sensitive approach to his subjects. He neither patronizes nor sensationalizes; instead, he honors the indigenous communities by capturing both their communal and individual selves. In a thoughtful gesture, Salgado accompanies every photograph of a person with their full name, allowing the subjects to be recognized and respected on a personal level. Through his lens, he unveils the symbiotic relationship between these tribes and the natural world around them, showcasing their harmonious coexistence with the abundant and generous environment of the rainforest.
Preservation: A Call to Action
"Amazônia" transcends the realm of mere art; it emerges as a potent call to arms in the global battle to preserve humanity's natural heritage. Through his masterful photography, Salgado implores us to bear witness to the fragile beauty of the Amazon and to join him in his mission to ensure its enduring legacy for generations to come.
Beyond its artistic merits, the exhibition serves as a clarion call for global action to preserve the Amazon as a vital repository of biodiversity and a bastion of indigenous culture. Salgado's photographs are not just testaments to the enduring beauty of the Amazon but also a rallying cry for its preservation. As visitors navigate through the exhibition, they are confronted with the harsh reality of deforestation and the exploitation of the land for commercial purposes.
The “Amazônia” exhibition is not just a visual feast but a powerful call to arms in the fight to preserve humanity’s natural heritage. Through his masterful photography, Salgado invites us to bear witness to the fragile beauty of the Amazon and to join him in his mission to ensure that it endures for generations to come.
Some beautiful photographs in there. Some people are just so talented.
Enjoyable essay. Love Salgado. Thought your point - and his - re naming people really important: it hardly ever happens.