ALERTA AMAZÔNIA
WHEN FABRICS SPEAKS
The exhibition “Alerta Amazônia” will tour Austria from October 2025 to April 2026. It presents a unique collection of textile art created by women organized in the Movement of Those Affected by Dams ( Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens - MAB ). The pieces bear witness to their lived experiences with the climate crisis and environmental destruction in the Amazon region, powerfully telling stories of pain, resilience, and resistance.
CLIMATE CRISIS ON THE AMAZON
Among the most serious impacts of the climate crisis on the population of the Amazon region are floods and extreme droughts. The consequences of extreme drought are particularly devastating, as the rivers – the lifeblood, food source, and means of transport for the riverside communities (Portuguese: “ribeirinhos”) – sometimes dry up completely.
Without navigable rivers, those affected are cut off from the outside world. The fish die-off deprives them of one of their main food sources. Entire communities are threatened with extinction and the loss of their way of life, which is inextricably linked to the rivers. Adapting to this reality is neither easy nor quick. In this situation, solidarity and emergency aid, such as the delivery of water and food, are crucial for survival.
RESISTANCE THROUGH ART
Women, as the primary providers of water and food for their families, are particularly affected by the climate crisis and the ongoing environmental destruction caused by large infrastructure projects and slash-and-burn agriculture. They are therefore at the forefront of organizing within their communities and fighting for a better life.
They use the art of Arpillera to draw attention to their situation, to express what is difficult to put into words, and in this way to make their voices heard. Despite the widespread disregard for their rights and the uncontrollable conditions caused by the climate crisis, the women affected have the strength and will to ensure the survival of their communities and the forest. The message of the women of MAB is clear:
“We embroider for life!”
15 ARPILLERAS
The exhibition “Alerta Amazônia – when fabric speaks” showcases 15 exhibits that are the result of the collective work of women organized in MAB in five Brazilian states. The focus is on the Amazon region, featuring 13 Arpilleras from the Amazonian states of Pará (5), Amampá (3), and Rondônia (5).
In the Arpilleras, affected women describe the situation of the riverside population in light of the enormous droughts of recent years, which are exacerbated by illegal slash-and-burn agriculture. They also denounce the carbon market as a supposed solution to the climate crisis, point to the situation of water scarcity, deforestation and illegal logging, and address the changes in the people's traditional way of life.
The exhibits from the Amazon region are complemented by 2 further pieces from other Brazilian states (São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul) to place the consequences of the climate crisis in the national context of Brazil.
CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR DETAILS!
All arpilleras ever produced by MAB can be found here:
MESSAGE
FROM BRAZIL
Members of MAB send us their message!
OUR PARTNERS
The exhibition is presented by horizont3000 and MAB. It takes place within the framework of the project “Climate Justice for the Amazon People”, which is being implemented by horizont3000 together with MAB from 1.4.2023 to 31.3.2026 and aims to promote the adaptability to climate change of communities affected by dams in the Brazilian Amazon and to prevent the destruction of ecosystems and traditional livelihoods.
The project is supported and funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management; the Three Kings Campaign of the Catholic Youth Movement; and Sei so frei Salzburg. The exhibition is being implemented with the following partners:
responsible for the content
horizont3000 - Austrian Organization For Development Cooperation
all photographs by Thomas Bauer, except "Salve A Amazonia" by Luis Gabriel
Design by schorsch Feierfeil, © 2025
Contact: wolfgang.zechner@horizont3000.at