Amazônia

Yara, with hair adornments made of seeds and macaw feathers.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Oct. 21, 2022 - Feb. 20, 2023—The California Science Center proudly presents the North American premiere of Amazônia, the critically acclaimed exhibition featuring more than 200 photographs by world-renowned Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião Salgado, including portraits of the Amazon's indigenous peoples and large-scale rich landscapes. Enhance your experience seeing Amazon Adventure 3D, an immersive IMAX movie that transports viewers to the lush Amazon rainforest to meet some of the region's captivating animals on our 7-story screen.

Discover stunning portraits of the Amazon's indigenous leaders and communities, dramatic landscapes taken from intrepid riverboat expeditions, and sweeping aerial shots of immense waterfalls and stormy skies. Accompanied by an immersive forest soundscape and original music composed by French musician Jean-Michel Jarre, Salgado's breathtaking black-and-white photographs will draw viewers into the planet's largest rainforest and its hidden worlds. Lélia Wanick Salgado's curatorship and amazing scenography immerse us in the forest, among its inhabitants. Heralded by The Guardian as what "may be the most urgent exhibition of the year," Amazônia will enrich our understanding of life in the Amazon, the ongoing threats from the outside world, and the vital role of sustainable development and conservation to ensure its survival for generations to come. Photography by Sebastião Salgado, organized by Lélia Wanick Salgado, Curator and Scenographer.

FREE ADMISSION

Amazônia is presented with the generous support of the Annenberg Foundation.

Exhibition contains some photography that depicts nudity and scenes of animal hunting.

Photos

Adão Yawanawá in a headdress of eagle feathers, wearing face paint made from the fruit of the genip tree.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Adão Yawanawá in a headdress of eagle feathers, wearing face paint made from the fruit of the genip tree (Genipa americana). Village of Nova Esperança Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, 2016.

Guest observing a black and white landscape photo.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Aerial view of the Jutaí River. Because of the extremely flat terrain, it winds through the forest in snake-like curves. State of Amazonas, 2017.

Guest observes a framed black and white portrait.

Landscape of an igapó, a type of forest frequently flooded by river water, with jauari palm trees.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Landscape of an igapó, a type of forest frequently flooded by river water, with jauari palm trees (Astrocaryum jauari). Jaú River, Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, 2019.

At daybreak, Waurá Indians travel by canoe to collect the “waiting net” that caught fish overnight.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

At daybreak, Waurá Indians travel by canoe to collect the “waiting net” that caught fish overnight. During major festivals, communities expecting visits from other villages prepare copious extra food to welcome and feed guests during their stay, and so they will have food to take with them on the journey home. Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, 2005.

View of an igapó, a type of forest frequently flooded by blackwater from rivers, in the Mariuá archipelago, Middle Rio Negro. State of Amazonas, 2019.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

View of an igapó, a type of forest frequently flooded by blackwater from rivers, in the Mariuá archipelago, Middle Rio Negro. State of Amazonas, 2019.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Aerial view of the Jutaí River. Because of the extremely flat terrain, it winds through the forest in snake-like curves. State of Amazonas, 2017.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Landscape of an igapó, a type of forest frequently flooded by river water, with jauari palm trees (Astrocaryum jauari). Jaú River, Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, 2019.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

View of an igapó, a type of forest frequently flooded by blackwater from rivers, in the Mariuá archipelago, Middle Rio Negro. State of Amazonas, 2019.

Slider info

Guests wander through Amazonia exhibit with suspended large-scale photographs. Overlay quote from photographer Sebastiao Salgado reads: My camera allowed nature to speak to me—now it is up to all of us to listen.

Tipping Point

A photo of the Amazon with text saying The Amazon at Risk

Image attribution

Find out how the Amazon is at risk in this short film.

El Dorado Falls (background) and Desabamento Falls (foreground) at Aracá State Park.

Image attribution

Sebastião Salgado

My wish, with all my heart, with all my energy, with all the passion I possess, is that in 50 years time this collection of images will not resemble a record of a lost world. Amazônia must live on.

Sebastião Salgado

Image attribution

SK Films

Enhance your experience by seeing Amazon Adventure 3D in our state-of-the-art IMAX Theater. Heralded by Variety as a "tropical thrill ride" and The Guardian as "satisfying IMAX edutainment," trek through the lush Amazon alongside explorer Henry Walter Bates and meet some of the region's most captivating animals on our 7-story screen.

Visitor Information

Amazonia Quick Tips View Details

This exhibition is included with the California Science Center's free general admission.
Amazônia contains some photography that depicts nudity and scenes of animal hunting.
Flash photography is not allowed.

General Admission Information View Details

Amazônia is included with the California Science Center's free general admission.

Enhance your Amazônia visit by adding on an IMAX movie! See the visually stunning Amazon Adventure 3D, an immersive IMAX movie that transports viewers to the lush Amazon rainforest to meet some of the region's captivating animals on our 7-story screen.

Cameras and Other Belongings View Details

In order to maintain the safety of the photographs and for your personal comfort, we ask that all guests adhere to the following visitor policies:

BELONGINGS:

Bags and "carry-on" items larger than 11" x 14" are not permitted inside of the exhibit. The California Science Center does not provide personal property storage, holding, or check in. This includes but is not limited to coolers, luggage, backpacks, or any type of personal property. Guests are strongly encouraged to leave large bags and other personal property at home or in their cars whenever possible. The California Science Center is not responsible for any bags strollers or personal items left unattended.
Large suitcases, coolers, umbrellas, and large shopping bags are not permitted.
Food or drink is not permitted inside of the exhibit.

CAMERAS:

Please ensure that your camera activities respect the privacy of other visitors and do not distract our staff and volunteers.
Personal use, no-flash photography and videography is allowed.
Selfie sticks, tripods, stabilizers and monopods are not permitted inside of the California Science Center.

Accessibility View Details

The exhibition is wheelchair accessible.

Service dogs that have been individually trained to work or perform tasks for a guest with a disability are welcome, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pets, comfort animals, emotional support animals, or therapy animals are not allowed for the safety of the Science Center's exhibit animals. For more info on accessibility and amenities, visit this page.