Tomás Saraceno's 'Ancestral Futures' Exhibition Opens in Munich

Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno launched his new exhibition, "Ancestral Futures," at Haus der Kunst in Munich, Germany, on November 15, 2023. The exhibition is scheduled to run until February 7, 2027, and delves into humanity's interconnectedness with plants, animals, and the atmosphere. Saraceno's work aims to propose ecological models for collective living, moving away from extractive systems. The presentation is anchored by two of his long-term research initiatives: Aerocene and Arachnophilia.

Aerocene, founded by Saraceno in 2015, focuses on community research into fossil fuel-free lifestyles and emission-free transportation. This initiative has led to the creation of sculptures utilizing air, solar, radiation, and infrared technology. Arachnophilia, conversely, investigates the complex behaviors and intricate web sculptures of spiders, which inform Saraceno's own immersive, netted installations, such as "Towards the Sanctuary of Water," currently featured in the exhibition. These projects highlight Saraceno's two-decade commitment to an interdisciplinary practice that prioritizes environmental considerations.

The "Ancestral Futures" exhibition also features a significant new co-commission titled "El Santuario del Agua (The Sanctuary of Water)." This piece was developed in close collaboration with 11 Indigenous communities from Red Atacama, located in Las Salinas Grandes in Northern Argentina. The commission addresses the social and ecological pressures exerted by lithium extraction in the region, bringing a critical perspective on resource exploitation and its impact on local communities and environments. Saraceno's approach in "Ancestral Futures" invites visitors to envision alternative ways of coexisting with the natural world.