Architecture, Special Publication, and Forum of the section Wametisé: Ideas for an Amazon Futurism – by the Institute for Postnatural Studies

The proposal from the Institute for Postnatural Studies for the section "Wametisé: Ideas for an Amazon Futurism," curated by María Willis and Denilson Baniwa for ARCOmadrid 2025, invites reflection on the intricate relationships between Amazonian cosmologies, their multiple ancestral knowledge, and possible technological futures. Understanding the flow of rivers and the snake as a symbolic reference to the temporality of the territory, the space design suggests a circular movement, a dynamic spiral journey leading to its core. The public program, which will inhabit this technological core, is conceived as an open space for conversation around the multiple visions, ecologies, and perspectives that coexist within the exhibition. The publication's coordination expands some of these concepts through different formats, such as poetry, illustration, and thought. With special attention to the selection of materials and the circularity of its elements, the proposal envisions a system that both physically and conceptually promotes alternative forms of production and care.

Architecture:

The architectural proposal of the IPS for "Wametisé: Ideas for an Amazon Futurism" is deeply inspired by the cosmogonies of the Upper Rio Negro, specifically the concept of Wametisé, which refers to the creation of the world and the assignment of territories to humanity by a great snake. This term, which translates as "named places," becomes the central axis of the spatial narrative, symbolizing the union of time, territory, and the cultures that inhabit it.

The space design suggests a structure that evokes the shape of a coiled snake, creating a spiral path. This circular movement is not only a reference to the snake as a guide but also symbolizes the cyclical temporality and the interconnectedness inherent in Amazonian cosmologies. As visitors move through the pavilion, they embark on a dynamic journey leading to a central core: the "heart" of the project. This center not only concentrates the symbolic energy of the space but also serves as a meeting point for the public program, fostering conversations and collective reflections.

The materiality of the proposal integrates elements that dialogue with the concept of Amazon Futurism, aiming to minimize environmental impact by prioritizing circular solutions and assembly systems that allow it’s own disassembly and reuse. The architecture of Wametisé invites visitors to submerge themselves into an inmersive experience that transcends visual perception, transforming the path into a relational process with the multiple ecologies and practices that shape the exhibition.

Special Publication of the Section:

The publication accompanying the exhibition "Wametisé: Ideas for an Amazon Futurism," curated by María Willis and Denilson Baniwa for ARCO 2025, offers a multidimensional approach to the Amazonian territory through theory, fiction, visual arts, and poetry. Conceived as an extension of the exhibition, the publication aims to open portals to Amazon Futurist creation, expanding the concepts presented in the show and offering new ways to experience them.

The publication includes texts from the curators that explain the conceptual foundations and exhibition proposal. Additionally, it features a visual essay by artist Gustavo Caboco, specially commissioned for this edition, along with quotes and excerpts from participating artists, allowing insight into the collective imagination that forms Amazon Futurism. A theoretical essay by artist and researcher Bárbara Santos invites us to situate ourselves within Amazonian cosmogony, while a Texto Serpiente (Snake Text) by Uýra Sodoma weaves through the entire publication, contributing a poetic and political rhythm that underscores the central narrative of Wametisé.

In line with the sustainability commitment that defines the project, the publication has been designed and produced using ecological materials and processes. The paper used comes from certified sources and is responsibly managed, while the inks used are vegetable-based and free of toxic chemicals, minimizing the environmental impact of its production.

Forum of the Section:

The public program of "Wametisé: Ideas for an Amazon Futurism" proposes a space to explore the intersection between ancestral cosmologies, the contemporary challenges of the Amazon, and the possibilities of sustainable futures. Through roundtables, conversations, and conferences, the forum brings together artists, thinkers, curators, and activists, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on key issues such as colonialism, queer and feminist ecologies, and the intersections between art, culture, and representation.

Overall, the forum invites attendees to question: What sustainable and desirable futures can we imagine with the Amazon? How can technologies, ecologies, and cultures intertwine to forge those futures? The space, housed at the heart of the exhibition, provides a reflective venue that mobilizes actions and collective visions around contemporary ecology concerns.