Selva cosmopolítica, Claustro de San Agustín, Bogotá

Cosmopolitan Jungle, San Augustin Convent, Bogotá

The exhibition, organized by the National University of Colombia, proposes a dialogue with the knowledge of indigenous communities and their relationship to the land. The displayed works explore the ecological destruction caused by capitalism. Contemporary And (C&) América Latina visited the show.

by C&AL

Tue 3 Jul, 2018

The exhibition Selva cosmopolítica reunida (“Cosmopolitan Jungle Reunited”) brings together installations, drawings, collage, photographs, video installation and, an audio piece by artists such as Miguel Ángel Rojas, Ursula Biemann, Paulo Tavares, Miller Lagos, Abel Rodríguez, Carolina Caycedo and the art collective 4Direcciones (conformed by Diana Rico y Richard Decaillet). The works propose a dialogue with the knowledge of indigenous communities and their sacred relationship with the land. Further, they criticize the imminent ecological destruction caused by a capitalist system that threatens the well-being of communities.

The exhibition was commissioned and produced by the department for cultural heritage of the National University of Colombia and curated by Ana Belén Sáez de Ibarra. Previously shown at the Art Museum of the National University of Colombia, the exhibition is now on display at the San Agustin Convent (Carrera 8 No. 7-21, Bogotá, Colombia). Open to the public until August 26, 2018. Admission is free.

Miler Lagos, Nomads, 2014. Installation with two pieces. 40 tons of newspaper, piled and carved. Commissioned and produced by the National University of Colombia. Photo: Ana Luisa González.

Abel Rodríguez, Tobacco, Coca, Yucca, 2014, drawings. Works commissioned and produced by the National University of Colombia in collaboration with the Tropenbos Foundation. Photo: Ana Luisa González.

Abel Rodríguez, Tree of Life, 2014, drawing. Commissioned and produced by the National University of Colombia in collaboration with the Tropenbos Foundation. Photo: Ana Luisa González.

Carolina Caycedo, Serpent River Book, 2017. Fold-out book, 72 pages. Commissioned by LACMA for “A Universal History of Infamy” in collaboration with Creative Capital and the Art Museum of the National University of Colombia. Photo: Ana Luisa González.

Miguel Ángel Rojas, Saint 1, Saint 2, 2012. Silver gelatin on cotton paper. Produced by the National University of Colombia. Photo: Ana Luisa González.

Ursula Biemann and Pablo Tavares, Forest Law, 2014. Video. Commissioned by the Ely and Edythe Broad Museum, Michigan State University, with the support of The Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia and the Art Museum of the National University of Colombia. Photo: Ana Luisa González.

Miguel Ángel Rojas, The Short Road, 2012. Cuts of coca leaves and dollar bills (detail). Commissioned and produced by the National University of Colombia. Photo: Ana Luisa González.

Miguel Ángel Rojas, Harvest, 2012. 32 molds in concrete and graffiti on wall. Commissioned and produced by the National University of Colombia. Photo: Ana Luisa González.