This fall, Imaginari, a more than 17,000-square-foot immersive exhibit, will invite the public to enter the "The Insect World" for an entire year in Soho, New York.
Imaginari, which kicks off in November, seeks to merge an experience between art, science, environmental awareness and entertainment for all audiences. Through the various installations, visitors will be invited to observe insects from a different perspective and also to commit to their care.
Attendants will, for example, be able to interact with 12-foot cherry blossom tree adorned with more than 200 monarch butterflies, a metamorphosing milkweed garden filled with caterpillars, clouds of 6 feet surrounded by giant butterflies and other creations by world-renowned artists.
Latin American Nature Beats at Imaginari's Heart
Behind this exhibition is Latin American curator Linda Uribe, who seeks to leave her mark and elevate her community through this installation. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, Uribe moved to US at age 11. With a passion for art and design, museum visits became her extracurricular activity and fueled her entrepreneurial spirit.
The Latin Times spoke with Uribe to talk about the genesis of this exhibition, whose concept rises from her appreciation for nature and art. Its goal is to captivate visitors with easily incorporated data that highlights the critical importance of insect preservation, underscoring the vital role these creatures play in the well-being and survival of human life.
"Each exhibition within Imaginari will run for 12 months, consciously seeking to make caring for nature a pleasant and non-intimidating experience for visitors. Our goal is to inspire people to develop a deep love for the nature of the planet , recognizing that we are more likely to protect and care for what we truly love.", said Uribe.
Uribe's Hispanic heritage is the heart that drove this exhibition, which seeks to focus on the power of nature. She told to The Latin Times that her early childhood in Colombia was a formative period full of happiness that left a deep mark on her love for nature. She felt she was losing that connection when moving United States, which led her to create Imaginari, a space that, although even though takes place in an urban environment, can provide the opportunity for the public - like her - to reconnect with that simple happiness of nature.
"My early childhood in Colombia was a formative period that profoundly influenced my relationship with nature and the world around me. It was a time marked by the lush beauty of the Colombian countryside, and I had the privilege of embarking on countless adventures with my grandfather on his cattle ranch. However, as I moved to the United States and grew older, I began to feel that I had lost the connection that had brought me so much happiness in my youth."
For Uribe, the exhibition is also a milestone for Latina women. For her, having achieved an exhibition of such magnitude in the heart of the New York art scene is an important achievement and a testimony of what Latina women can achieve.
" I also hope that this exhibition can help shift the dialogue about Colombia to something more positive than the stereotypes that have often defined it. It's a way of showcasing the beauty and creativity that exists not only in Colombia but throughout Latin America, and celebrating the contributions of Latina women in the world of art and culture."
One of the featured artists, Marlene Huissoud, is known for her work aimed at raising environmental awareness. Her pieces have been exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Center Pompidou in Paris. Imaginari also features works by other talented artists including Bronx-based John Goodman, Japanese fiber artist Yumi Okita, Seattle-based paper art duo Moth & Myth, New York-based artist Bella Hatkoff York and macro photographer Thilina Hettiarachchi.
Imaginari has an extensive programming calendar, which will be periodically updated every two weeks after opening.
Looking ahead, Uribe mentioned to The Latin Times that he plans to delve deeper into the Amazon as her next topic.
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