Cultivos poéticos: uma genealogia entre sementes e arte contemporânea

Abstract

This research encompasses reflective works on the "cultivation" of an orchard-garden that sprouted from "heirloom seeds," viewed through the poetic lens of Contemporary Art. A series of "little bags" containing seeds collected and stored over seventy years ago by my maternal grandfather inspired the title of this thesis-creation—Poetic Cultivations: A Genealogy Between Seeds and Contemporary Art. These "cultivations" have unearthed various layers of memory as "contemporary skewed narratives" and the practice of art and Nature as experience, addressing the affinities and conflicts between Life and impermanence. Heirloom seeds were chosen as a fertile conceptual territory, serving as membranes—residues of the present-past-future in coexistence—within the extensions of ArtNature. In these cultivations, I draw connections to the works of artists such as Viga Gordilho, Nils-Udo, Andy Goldsworthy, Carlito Carvalhosa, and Giuseppe Penone. To support theoretical understanding, I engage with thinkers and philosophers like Henri Bergson, a seminal author for contemplating memory; Gaston Bachelard, who introduces a poiesis stemming from the realm of dreams; Emanuele Coccia, who communes with and subverts thoughts regarding plant life and reflects on the uncertainties of our current moment as inhabitants of Earth; Baruch Spinoza, who brings forth ideas on nature, substance, and affections; Deleuze and Guattari, who argue and perceive concepts in non-conceptual elements; Fayga Ostrower and Sônia Rangel in methodological constructions; among other authors who also enrich this thesis.