Iliana Díaz López – “Portales del Ara Pyau”

Iliana Díaz López’s “Portales del Ara Pyau” (Portals of the New Time) represents a profound artistic dialogue between ancient Guaraní wisdom and contemporary environmental concerns. Created during her residency at Awasi Iguazu, this multimedia installation explores themes of time, transformation, and our relationship with the natural world.

“The Guaraní concept of time is circular, not linear. In their worldview, the past, present, and future exist simultaneously. This understanding completely changed how I approach my work.” – Iliana Díaz López

Díaz López, a multimedia artist from Paraguay, came to Awasi Iguazu specifically to engage with Guaraní communities and learn about their cosmovision. The title of her work, “Ara Pyau,” refers to the Guaraní concept of cyclical renewal – a new time that is also a return.

Cultural Collaboration

Working closely with Guaraní elders and artists, Díaz López spent weeks learning traditional songs, stories, and ritual practices. These cultural exchanges deeply influenced the final installation, which incorporates field recordings of Guaraní chants, video projections of sacred sites, and sculptural elements made from forest materials.

The installation creates an immersive environment where visitors pass through a series of “portals” – circular structures made from woven branches and vines. Each portal represents a different aspect of time and transformation, with sounds and images that shift as viewers move through the space.

Environmental Message

“The Guaraní have always understood that harming the forest means harming ourselves,” Díaz López explains. “Their concept of ‘tekó porã’ – living well – is about maintaining harmony between all beings. This is the wisdom we need for our current environmental crisis.”

“Art can be a bridge between worldviews, a way of translating indigenous knowledge into forms that speak to contemporary audiences.” – Iliana Díaz López

The installation’s power lies in its ability to make abstract concepts tangible. Visitors often report feeling a shift in their perception of time and their connection to the environment after experiencing the work.

Díaz López’s residency at Awasi Iguazu demonstrates the importance of creating spaces where artists can engage deeply with local cultures and environments. “Portales del Ara Pyau” stands as a testament to the transformative potential of cross-cultural artistic collaboration.