US/KNOTS: Arts and Science by Women

Nós—Arte e Ciência por Mulheres (US/KNOTS: Arts and Science by Women), running now at Sesc Interlagos in São Paulo since August 22, presents the past and present contributions of women to scientific, intellectual, and artistic fields, recognizing their roles as both creators and preservers of knowledge. The exhibition raises awareness about women’s contributions while revealing the various layers that have historically rendered their roles in society invisible.

The exhibition is being held by Sesc São Paulo, conceived by Estúdio M’Baraká, and co-curated by Isabel Seixas, Letícia Stallone, Gisele Vargas, and Diogo Rezende, with consulting from researcher Magali Romero Sá, an expert in the history of science. About 300 works are presented, introducing visitors to historical figures, scientific and historical iconography, and works by contemporary artists.

Considering historical scenarios ranging from ancestral wisdom to the growing presence of women in scientific institutions, the exhibition’s narrative proposes a reflection and an alternative viewpoint from a feminine perspective, supported by historical data and contributions. The show illustrates how, through knowledge, attitudes, and affirmative narratives, women have withstood centuries of hegemonic oppressive thinking.

Occupying a large part of the Sesc Interlagos unit, which has approximately 500,000 square meters of preserved green area, Nós–Arte e Ciência por Mulheres is focused on about 60 scientists from various eras, including the Greek alchemist and prophetess Maria; the chemists Marie and Irene Curie; the biologist Bertha Lutz; and the paleontologist Carlotta Joaquina Maury. The contemporary artists featured are Ana Teixeira, Antonia Dias Leite, Arissana Pataxó, Berna Reale, Camila Soato, Camila Sposati, Claudia Ferreira, Doralyce, Efe Godoy, Gabriela Noujaim, Hariel Revignet, Heloísa Marques, Katharina Welper, Marcela Cantuária, Marika Seidler, Mestra Japira Pataxó, Mônica Ventura, Paty Wolff, Priscila Rooxo, Thatiana Cardoso, Yacunã Tuxá and Laura Gorski—the latter represented by two works from the Sesc Art Collection.

Besides an exhibition design with accessibility features, the exhibition offers audio description resources for visitors with visual impairments and Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) video content for deaf people, accessible free of charge via QR codes.

Nós—Arte e Ciência por Mulheres  has furthermore relied on support from the collections of the Museum of Zoology at USP, the Museum of Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), the Earth Sciences Museum / CPRM, Butantan Institute, and documentation from institutions including Fiocruz, the National Museum, the Roberto Burle Marx Country Estate and the National Library, among others.