Matter of South. Biomaterial Cultures from Latin America

Under the discursive platform »More Than Human: Design after the Anthropocene,« at the Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin, created by Claudia Banz, Heidi Jalkh curated a project in collaboration with co-curators Gisela Pozzetti and Valentina Aliaga.

The »Matter of South - Biomaterial Cultures from Latin America« project explored how biomaterial initiatives in this region harness local culture and biodiversity to create new material cultures. This endeavor also aimed to reframe our relationship with the immediate environment while questioning and providing alternatives to the established extractivist model.

The project features a series of discussions focused on drafting the »Matter of South manifesto«, hands-on workshops, and a pop-up exhibition. These events tapped into the characteristics of biomaterials initiatives, highlighting the unique aspects that shape Latin American biomaterial identity, enriched by the region's diverse contexts and bio-cultural diversity.

At the center of this exhibition was The Biomaterial Archive, an installation featuring samples and an interactive map that illustrates the diverse landscape of Latin American biomaterials. This collaborative, interdisciplinary, and independent network aimed to document and showcase projects, groups, and individuals involved in biomaterial and biomanufacturing processes throughout Latin America.

»Matter of South: Biomaterial Cultures from Latin America« opened on July 12th at 7 pm and was displayed until August 26th, 2024. A two-day international symposium on this topic was scheduled for the project.

By highlighting local initiatives and fostering community engagement, the project aimed to catalyze positive change and inspire more symbiotic practices within our environments.