TEDxAmazonia, which celebrated its 13th anniversary since the first edition, was a remarkable event that took place from November 2nd through to November 5th, 2023. It brought together thinkers and leaders from various fields with the aim of sharing ideas and promoting the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.
With the co-creation of AKQA Bloom from Miami and Black Madre, TEDxAmazonia launched a campaign to highlight this year's edition, held on the banks of the port of the city of Manaus.
Titled 'Where Voices Meet', the film was produced by Santa Transmedia in a collaboration between creative director of Black Madre, Andre Maciel, and director Gustavo Gripe. Their collaboration established a deep connection with the watershed, capturing the stunning aesthetics, the importance of biodiversity conservation, and the urgency in the face of the worst drought recorded in recent years.
Black Madre played a crucial role in developing the idea by using the ancient technique of woodcut engraving. In this printing technique, a wooden matrix, in this project's case, the Sumaúma, is used to reproduce images engraved on paper or another suitable medium. This provided a visual representation of the wood's grain, comparing it to the courses of the waters that flow through the Amazon rivers with their various tributaries.
The choice of Sumaúma, wood certified by the FSC, reflects Black Madre's commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. This initiative inspires reflection not only on the climate crisis and the building of a sustainable future but also on the urgent actions that everyone must take. The film is a call to consciousness and mobilisation, highlighting the pressing need to protect the Amazon forest.