"Countermapping" the notion of place along Río Solimões: a participatory art research project with Ticuna youth using Photovoice and critical place environmental inquiry

During this participatory Photovoice-based research project, we elicited the use of embodied multimodal composition and observed the emergence of young learner-agency during moments of “unscripted” creative collaboration around the notion of place. Inspired by academic mentor Dr. Fikile Nxumalo's Decolonial Water Pedagogies, we experimented with post-qualitative methods, including decolonizing forest and (under) water storytelling. We amplified youth-led portraits, fostered environmental inquiry and connection through ethnographic walks along Río Solimões and centered community futuring strategies with Ticuna youth and elders in Leticia, Colombia. 

Through the co-creation of this Photovoice workshop, we conducted independent place-based inquiry and fostered a collaborative collaborative mapping experience with the Arcoiris Foundation community for youth with learning differences. We aimed at fostering resilience through creativity and sparked situated learning and multimodal composition as we walked along the river and across the triple border region that connects Peru, Brasil, and Colombia. Workshop participants used cameras as tools to map their unique life stories and connections to place. After being invited by Arcoiris Foudation to co-create the project, the main author started her critical place research by reflecting on the lonstanding presence of El Monumento a Francisco de Orellana situated at the heart of Plaza Colón, a gathering public in the heart of the city of Leticia, Colombia.  

Please note: If proposal is accepted, supplementary materials cannot be re-used under CC BY 4.0 License. Author only grants Copernicus Meetings the right to make presentation files available during the live session. No further re-use or distribution of their presentation is allowed beyond this setting. I clearly mention this out of respect for vulnerable populations whose families have fully consented research but whose images must be visualized within provided research context and community-approved framework.