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ALERTA AMAZÔNIA

15 ARPILLERAS

The exhibition "Alerta Amazônia – when fabric speaks" features 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, with 13 arpilleras from the Amazon states of Pará (5), Amampá (3), and Rondônia (5).

 

In the Arpilleras, affected women describe the situation of the riverside population in the face of the severe 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.

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WHEN FABRICS SPEAKS

The exhibition presents a unique collection of textile art created by women organized in the Dam Affected Movement ( Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens - MAB ). The pieces testify to their lived experiences of the climate crisis and environmental destruction in the Amazon region, vividly telling stories of pain, resilience, and resistance.

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CLIMATE CRISIS IN THE AMAZON

Among the most serious impacts of the climate crisis on the population of the Amazon region are floods and periods of extreme drought. The consequences of extreme drought are particularly devastating, as rivers—the lifeblood, source of food, and means of transportation for the riverside population (Portuguese: "ribeirinhos")—sometimes dry up completely.

 

Without navigable rivers, those affected are cut off from the outside world. Fish kills deprive them of one of their main sources of food. Entire communities are threatened with the loss of their existence and the loss of their way of life, which is inextricably linked to the rivers. Adapting to this reality is neither easy nor quick. To survive in this situation, solidarity and emergency aid, such as the delivery of water and food, are crucial.

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VOICES FROM THE AMAZON

The protagonists of the exhibition, in addition to the exhibits themselves, are the Arpillera makers – women from the Amazon who are experiencing the effects of climate change and environmental destruction on the front lines, and some of whom have their say here.

RESISTANCE THROUGH ART

As their families' primary water and food providers, women are particularly affected by the climate crisis and the ongoing environmental destruction caused by large-scale 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 thus to make their voices heard. Despite the widespread violation of their rights and the uncontrollable conditions caused by the climate crisis, the affected women 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!”

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THE EXHIBITION

You can experience the Arpilleras physically during the exhibition “Alerta Amazônia – when fabric speaks”.

A total of four exhibitions will take place in three cities in Austria from October 2025 to April 2026.

These are freely accessible!

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01. 10. – 08. 11. 25
VIENNA

BOKU University

Franz Schwackhöfer House Auditorium

Peter Jordan-Straße 82

1190 Vienna

25. 11. – 21. 12. 25
SALZBURG

Afro-Asian Institute  

Salzburg / Imaculada

Vienna Philharmonikergasse 2

5020 Salzburg

12. 01. – 07. 11. 25
INNSBRUCK

Haus der Begegnung

Diözese Innsbruck

Rennweg 12

6020 Innsbruck

20. 02. – 26. 04. 26
WIEN

Votivkirche

Rooseveltplatz

1090 Wien

OUR PARTNERS

The exhibition is part of the project "Climate Justice for the Amazon People," which is being implemented by horizont3000 together with MAB from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026. The project aims to promote the adaptability to climate change of dam-affected communities in the Brazilian Amazon region and to prevent the destruction of ecosystems and traditional livelihoods.

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

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