Amazonian Indigenous Cultures in Art and Anthropological Exhibitions

By (author) Cinthya Lana

Publication date:

05 July 2022

Publisher

Anthem Press

Dimensions:

229x153mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781839981593

The book discusses the representation of Amazonian indigenous cultures in art and anthropological exhibitions through the analysis of a series of case studies of temporary exhibitions taking place in museums and biennials in Brazil, Europe and the United States spanning a period of 25 years from the mid-1980s. The book puts forward the concept of ‘minor curating’ as a strategy to amplify access to collections of historical relevance for indigenous peoples and to enable them to develop projects that are politically, historically and culturally meaningful for their own societies through curatorial authorship.

Abbreviations; List of Figures; Foreword; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Chapter One, Primitivism and Magiciens: The Amazon in the Art World; Chapter Two, Contemporary Cannibalisms: The 24th Bienal de São Paulo; Chapter Three, The Hidden and the Unknown: Amazonian Exhibitions at the British Museum; Chapter Four A Subdivided World: The Amazon in the Musée du quai Branly’s Comparative Exhibitions; Conclusion; Notes; References; Index

This ground-breaking work uses extensive archival research and informative illustrations to bring Amazonia-focused exhibitions to life under an astute, critical gaze combining anthropology, art history and museum studies. The thought-provoking analysis opens a new window on how we represent others and how they might be given the space to represent themselves. —Stephen Hugh-Jones, Honorary Emeritus Associate, King’s College, University of Cambridge, UK.