vj suave | Birds of Northeast Brazil

Birds of Northeast Brazil or “Birds of Ceará” is an immersive installation by VJ Suave. With 360° projections on four walls and the floor, the artists lead the audience on a unique journey through the nuances of Ceará’s nature. This installation showcases the diversity of 29 birds in their different environments, all represented in 2D and 3D animations, transforming into audiovisual narratives that celebrate the unique beauty of these birds in their habitats.

The installation also transports us to the past, presenting two fossil birds from the Cretaceous period found in Ceará. Cratoavis and Kaririavis Mater connect the audience to the evolution of the Ceará fauna over time.

“Birds of Ceará” is an invitation to contemplate the northeastern winged fauna, a journey that highlights the beauty, charm, and fragility of ecosystems, sparking reflections on the conservation of biomes and species protection.

The work was developed at the invitation of Director Silas de Paula to become part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Image and Sound of Ceará. During the creation process, Ceci Soloaga and Ygor Marotta, artists of the VJ Suave duo, drew inspiration from Ceará culture and put together a team of visual artists, musicians, and an ornithologist in developing the site-specific installation for the museum’s immersive room.

The exhibition is an installation that weaves threads of art, science, and a profound environmental consciousness together in an immersive experience. The experience invites us on a journey that begins on the wings of the Kaririavis mater, a species that soared through the skies of Ceará during the Cretaceous period, revealing the hidden layers of the region’s paleontological history. The narrative extends to the present, illuminating contemporary species such as the Soldadinho do Araripe, the Periquito Cara Suja and the Carcará – birds that fly in the sky and in people’s hearts and minds. Each element of this exhibition has been carefully curated to illustrate the intricate dance between humanity and the environment. It is a visual and sensory experience that brings to light an awareness of the vital importance of environmental preservation. The birds symbolise an urgency to conserve nature by representing beauty, fragility and our planet.

In addition to celebrating natural beauty, the exhibition invites reflection and action. It highlights the crucial role of Ceará state (in the Northeast of Brazil) as one of the richest paleontological deposits in the world and a sanctuary of biodiversity. The installation invites dialogue awareness and reinforces the idea that environmental preservation is a shared responsibility that connects past, present and future; it is a continuous effort to maintain harmony between human beings and nature.

The installation captures children’s imagination and attracts a young audience, playing an essential role in education and engagement for the future guardians of our planet. Environmental concepts are accessible through enchanting visual language, inspiring and educating the generation that is currently on a trajectory to inherit the consequences of environmental disasters. The complexity of ecological conservation becomes accessible through engaging narratives, empowering young viewers to become agents of change against the impending environmental dystopia. With its unique story, each bird becomes a living character that speaks directly to the hearts and minds of those who become enveloped in the visual world.

Silas de Paula – Director of MIS Ceará