Weaving Amazon's Treasures: Designing with Natural Fibers for Sustainability and Culture

Preserving the Amazon rainforest goes beyond mere responsibility; it embodies a pivotal endeavour to protect an unparalleled natural heritage teeming with biodiversity. The significance of the Amazon on a global scale is profound, as it plays a central role in maintaining our planet's delicate ecological equilibrium. Beyond its role as a haven for diverse wildlife, it serves as a crucial climate stabilizer, deftly absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide through its expansive canopy. This vast forest stands as a bulwark against shifting global climate patterns, remaining indispensable for conserving local ecosystems and supporting communities that rely on it.

Presently, the Amazon finds itself at a decisive crossroads. The implications of further loss of this global biodiversity hotspot would prove catastrophic for its myriad species. Additionally, escalating temperatures could displace millions within the region.

Over the past decades, an alarming 17% of this dense ecosystem has vanished, leaving much of what remains degraded—largely due to industrial agriculture and land exploitation.

Leaders from eight South American nations have convened in Brazil to address this pressing issue—an unequivocal global emergency. Their discussions revolve around safeguarding this expansive rainforest and preserving its pivotal role in regulating global climate. The Belém Declaration, named after the Brazilian city where the meeting took place, charts a course to counter rampant deforestation, primarily driven by industrial agriculture and land exploitation. These activities have caused significant harm to the rainforest, with far-reaching implications for the Earth's climate. While a united call for action is evident, differences have arisen, particularly regarding deforestation targets and the consequences of extractive practices. Nevertheless, an unwavering commitment to securing Amazon's future is evident, marked by a dedication to sustainable development, stringent regulations, social inclusion and international cooperation.

However, the repercussions of unchecked deforestation stretch beyond climate change. At the heart of the Amazon are its inhabitants—indigenous communities and riverside populations with cultural legacies spanning centuries. In nations like Colombia, where the Amazon is distinctive, research suggests that introducing a bioeconomy in the region offers these communities a sustainable path by providing alternatives to harmful activities like unauthorized logging. This approach ensures environmental protection and supports the rich flora of the forest. The bioeconomy emphasizes responsible resource usage, allowing forests to regenerate and maintain diverse species. By merging traditional indigenous methods with modern strategies, forest stability is ensured while preserving age-old artisanal traditions. This translates into economic engagement without depleting resources for indigenous groups, encapsulating a harmonious way of life that reconciles ancient traditions with economic independence.

Amazon communities can cultivate self-reliance and resilience by offering sustainable alternatives to destructive activities like logging. A well-structured bioeconomy empowers indigenous craftspeople to harness their traditional skills and knowledge, transforming them into viable economic opportunities. This shift not only safeguards the forest but also strengthens the economic foundation of these communities.

Francisco Jaramillo, a passionate Colombian designer, witnessed firsthand the severe consequences of rampant deforestation in the Amazon region of Colombia. This experience inspired him to deeply research local materials and cultural stories, leading to the creation of Fango Studio, where he brings together nature-inspired designs and authentic craftsmanship.

Jaramillo's furniture collection, named Ibuju in the indigenous Joti language, pays homage to a flourishing vine found in the Amazon's tropical zones. Known as the yaré vine or Heteropsis Flexuosa, this plant has long been integral to the crafting traditions of Colombia's indigenous communities. They skillfully create a variety of items from it, including hats, brooms, baskets, and furniture.

Characterized as an ethnobotanical hemiepiphyte, the yaré vine boasts abundant aerial roots that can be sustainably harvested. The mother plant remains connected in the canopy, resilient to harvest, and produces new roots. This makes the yaré vine a viable and sustainable alternative to materials often associated with deforestation. However, the use of the yaré vine is not without challenges. The potential for overexploitation of this natural resource highlights the delicate balance that must be struck between alternative production methods, the availability of sustainable materials, and our overarching obligation to safeguard the environment.

Beyond environmental implications, Jaramillo underscores that the degradation of an ecosystem carries profound cultural costs. It signifies not only a loss of biodiversity but also the fading of ancient crafts and species interwoven with the identity and traditions of indigenous communities. In this light, the work of Jaramillo (Fango Studio) serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate connections between culture, nature, and responsible environmental stewardship.

This design approach has gained global momentum as designers increasingly collaborate with local communities to create objects using indigenous materials and traditional craft techniques. While objects can convey powerful narratives, the ecosystems of production and communication surrounding them wield even greater influence. Colombian designer Simón Ballen Botero writes for Disegno magazine, "I believe that mere representation is not sufficient: designers must actively engage in transformative practices. While narratives play a role in shaping perceptions, stories alone yield little impact. Designers must transcend surface-level aesthetics and delve into the complexities of cultural, social, and environmental contexts. Genuine collaboration and a commitment to shared decision-making with local communities are essential to foster meaningful change."

Design practice encounters a universal challenge. It should amplify artisans' voices and acknowledge their agency instead of exploiting or overshadowing them. This consideration is critical, as the work of indigenous peoples and artisans has often been used in design as a form of exoticism. These creators often find themselves representing ambiguous notions of indigenous communities—a perception as mythical as the Amazon itself. While some indigenous communities do embody these values, it's vital to recognize that such generalizations oversimplify complex realities. 

With the potential to showcase remarkable craft resources and material innovations to broader audiences, the Design market must tread carefully to avoid inadvertently romanticizing the crafts or indigenous origins it seeks to promote and highlight. Striking this balance is essential; otherwise, design may unintentionally devalue the cultural contributions of these communities and overlook the challenges they continue to face amid environmental degradation. Ultimately, the success of such design practices lies in economically empowering local communities and fostering a bioeconomy that preserves not only the Amazon rainforest but also the cultural roots of these regions.

INFO

FEATURED DESIGNER & RESEARCHER

Fango Design Studio

Colombian designer Francisco Jaramillo

@fangostudio

ARTISANS

Norbey, Milca, Steven and Carlos

PHOTOGRAPHY

Departamento de Arte

@departamentodearte_

Juliana Gómez Quijano

@junospace_

Juan Bernardo SilvaWartski

@juansi_

Yohan López

@yohanlopezh

EXHIBITION

Pieces showcased at the Side Gallery

SOURCES

1. Amazon Summit - Presidents of eight Amazon countries sign Belém Declaration

2. Ecological Economics - Amazon Bioeconomy by Paulo Moutinho et al.

3. The New York Times - Amazon Rainforest Fire

4. The New York Times - Amazon Rainforest Protections

5. IUCN - Hemiepiphytes in Craft Fibres

6. ResearchGate - Indigenous Communities in the Colombian Amazon

7. Disegno Journal - Design Reviewed No.2

8. The Guardian - Organized Crime and Amazon Devastation

9. The New York Times - Amazon at a Tipping Point

WORDS

Nina Zulian