AWAVENA

Awavena is a stunning tale of metamorphosis in the Brazilian Amazon told through a virtual reality experience. Lynette was invited to create Awavena during a time of peril and potential for the Yawanawa community as they fight to protect nearly 200,000 hectares of Amazonian forest. Because it aligns with the sensation of their vision states the Yawanawa chose VR technology as means of sharing their story with the world. The story they wished to share was of the cultural rejuvenation that occurred when they put an end to rigid gender roles that restricted the lives of women. Made in collaboration with Hushahu – the first female shaman of the Yawanawa people – this virtual reality experience opens a portal to the world of the Yawanawa and their practice of using ‘medicines’ to access altered states of knowing.

Awavena premiered at Sundance Film festival and a second walk- through segment of the work, The Blessing Space was developed for Venice Film Festival.