AMAZONIA - Photographs by SEBASTIÃO SALGADO

Until mid-March 2026, the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum will be the first institution in Germany to present the internationally renowned exhibition ‘AMAZONIA - Photographs by Sebastião Salgado’. The photographic documentation by the Brazilian photographer focuses on the Amazon region, the largest tropical rainforest region on our planet, and in particular on those people who have been in direct contact with their natural environment for generations. Around 200 masterful black and white photographs paint a vivid picture of landscapes and ways of life, while at the same time revealing the complexity of the interplay between nature and society.

Salgado's approach is empathetic and reflective: Authentic interviews with indigenous leaders provide deep insights into the social realities and ecological challenges of the rainforest and its inhabitants. In an immersive staging, accompanied by a specially composed sound installation by French composer Jean-Michel Jarre, the show invites visitors to recognise the sensitive balance of the Amazon region anew and to critically question their own role in terms of global responsibility. Salgado's profound documentation thus calls for a holistic view that combines ecological awareness with ethical reflection.