REVISITING "THE DECADE OF DESTRUCTION" (1990): AN AMAZON RETROSPECTIVE
FRIDAY 18 MARCH, 9am-4pm GREENLEAF CONFERENCE ROOM (100 JONES HALL)
This one-day, multi-disciplinary symposium uses the landmark Frontline documentary series "The Decade of Destruction," released in 1990 and directed by Adrian Cowell, to revisit the Amazon crisis of the 1980s and the subsequent transformation of Amazon studies. What do we now know about Greater Amazonia that we did not know then? Tulane scholars and postdoctoral fellows from Anthropology, Communications, Political Science, Art History, Sociology, History, and Literature will address topics related to the greater Amazon basin, including archaeological and ethno-botanical reconnaissance, aerial surveillance, mining and oil/gas drilling, hydro-electric expansion, deforestation, migration and colonization, cattle ranching, electoral politics, Indigenous environmental ethics, parks and preserves, and global action (and inaction). We know that the Amazon region is in greater peril now than ever, and not just in Brazil. As the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic fade, what is to be done?
Speakers include: Adrian Anagnost, Moisés Arce, Idelber Avelar, Felipe Cruz, Gustavo Díaz, Kris Lane, Jason Nesbitt, Mauro Porto, Pamela Sertzen, Ana Watson (Calgary), & Andrew Whitaker
A reception will follow at the Latin American Library, 4th fl. Howard-Tilton Library (4:30-6pm)
Session I: 9am-10:30am
Kris Lane: General Introduction + Key Film Clips
Jason Nesbitt: "New Advances in Amazonian Archaeology, 1990-2022"
Coffee Break: 10:30-10:45am
Session II
Felipe Cruz: "Aerial Amazon: Surveilling the Forest since 1990"
Idelber Avelar: "Kopenawa: An Amazonian Indigenous Ethics?"
Mauro Porto: "TV, National Integration & Amazon Occupation: Insights from Bye Bye Brazil"
Lunch Break: Noon-1pm
Session III: 1pm-2:30pm
Adrian Anagnost: "Contemporary Art 'Discovers' the Amazon"
Pamela Sertzen: "Amazon Burning: The Museum of Natural History Fire of 2018"
James Andrew Whitaker: TBA
Coffee Break: 2:30pm-2:45pm
Session IV: 2:45pm-4pm
Moisés Arce & Ana Watson: "Territorial Ordering in the Peruvian Amazon: Camisea Gas"
Gustavo Díaz: "The Amazon and the Politics of Development"
Audience: Wrap-up Discussion
Reception: 4:30pm in the Latin American Library, 4th floor of Howard-Tilton
TO VIEW THE 1990 SERIES ONLINE VIA HOWARD-TILTON/LAL, Please use the links below:
In the Ashes of the Forest (Part 1) - On campus only: https://docuseek2.com/v/a/K6f
Off and On campus access: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/tulane.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocus…
In the Ashes of the Forest (Part 2) - On campus only: https://docuseek2.com/v/a/L6f
Off and On Campus Access: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/tulane.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocus…
Land - On campus only: https://docuseek2.com/v/a/m7f
On and off campus access: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/tulane.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocus…
Mountains of Gold - On campus only: https://docuseek2.com/v/a/t8f
On and off campus access: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/tulane.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocus…
The Killing of Chico Mendes - On campus only: https://docuseek2.com/v/a/Raf
On and off campus access: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/tulane.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocus…
