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International photography exhibition Amazônia to open at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum

Amazônia celebrates the indigenous peoples and breathtaking landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest.

Emily Sergeant - 5th April 2022

A critically-acclaimed photography exhibition is coming to Manchester as part of its international tour next month.

In what is the first UK exhibition of this scale outside of London for over 20 years from the world-renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, from 13 May, the Science and Industry Museum will welcome Amazônia – a major photography exhibition that celebrates the indigenous peoples and breathtaking landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest.

Free tickets are available now for the Amazônia 12-week run.

Salgado worked in the Amazon for seven years with 12 different indigenous communities, and the result is an incredible collection of powerful photographs that present his vision of a forest that is approaching a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change, the Museum says.

There’ll be over 200 black and white images and interviews with indigenous leaders as part of the exhibition.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a specially commissioned immersive soundtrack from acclaimed French composer Jean-Michel Jarre to bring to life the sounds of the rainforest – including the rustling of trees, the cries of animals, bird song and the roar of water tumbling from mountain peaks. 

The exhibition was curated and designed by Lélia Wanick Salgado to convey “a small part of the magic of the Amazon region” and its native peoples in an intimate experience.

Read more: Celebrate Manchester firsts at the Science and Industry Museum this half term

Amazônia offers the opportunity to see this unique environment through the lens of one of the most-renowned photographers working today, and has already been described by the Daily Telegraph as “an awe-inspiring celebration of life on Earth”.

Speaking on the exhibition ahead of its arrival in Manchester city centre next month, Sebastião Salgado said: “As a Brazilian, the Amazon with its incredible colours, rich textures and awe-inspiring vistas has always held a special place in my heart, and over the course of seven years travelling through the region, I witnessed first-hand the damage over-consumption has had on its landscapes and people.

“I hope visitors to Amazônia will feel inspired by its beauty but also understand the urgent need for action to prevent this unique biodiversity being lost.”

Sally MacDonald – Director of the Science and Industry Museum – added: “We are so excited to welcome Amazônia to the Science and Industry Museum, and to bring the work of Sebastião Salgado to Manchester for the first time as Amazônia is a beautiful and evocative exhibition and the Special Exhibitions Gallery is the perfect setting.

“Visitors can’t fail to be moved and inspired – it is a call to action for us all.”

Amazônia‘s arrival in Manchester is part of an international exhibition tour that began at the Philharmonie in Paris, and includes the MAXXI in Rome, SESC in Sao Paulo, and the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.

Tickets for Amazônia are available now and can be booked in advance through Science and Industry Museum’s website here, or by calling 033 0058 0058.

Featured Image – Science and Industry Museum