Sensory Aesthetics and Multisensory Curation of the Amazônia Exhibition of Sebastião Salgado: A visual documentation and ecological affect

Silviana Amanda Aurelia Tahalea; Erlina Novianti; FX. Damarjati; Siti Febrina

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI39.7681

Authors

Silviana Amanda Aurelia Tahalea Faculty of Art and Design, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
Erlina Novianti Faculty of Art and Design, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
FX. Damarjati Faculty of Technology Information and Communication, Institut Teknologi dan Bisnis Kristen Bukit Pengharapan, Karanganyar, Indonesia
Siti Febrina Faculty of Art and Design, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI39.7681

Keywords:

Sensory aesthetics, photographic curation, multisensory experience, Sebastião Salgado, art exhibition

Abstract

Photography is the central medium in Sebastião Salgado’s Amazônia, creating an immersive and affective exhibition space. This qualitative case study examines curatorial and multisensory strategies, encompassing large-scale photographs, ambient soundscapes, and spatial design that promote ecological awareness and emotional engagement. Drawing on Baumgarten’s sensory aesthetics, Dorrian’s concept of museum atmosphere, and Nannini’s theory of embodiment, the study brings to light the ethical dimensions of visual representation. The findings underscore the power of the exhibition space to invite reflection on humanity's relationship with nature, serving as a powerful curatorial framework that integrates art, knowledge, and environmental activism through affective, multisensory experiences.

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