Ana Júlia Fortes, Yupanqui Ramos and Pedro André - A body rite of Culture and Decay

Fermentation trains us in seeing the ground as inherently shaky. It makes visible the invisible potential of those things that seem still.
(Manifiesto Ferviente by Mercedes Villalba, 2017.)

A Body Rite of Culture and Decay centers on fermentation as a living process of transformation—one that requires decomposition to generate renewal. Conceived as a site-specific, participatory installation, the work unfolds around a banquet table where edible sculptural elements explore cycles of growth, decay, and renewal.

Accompanied by a live sound performance responsive to fermentation’s rhythms and textures, the installation turns the banquet into an immersive sensory ritual—where eating, listening, and bacterial exchange become collective reflections on culture, consumption, and decay. The table becomes a space for interaction and dialogue, inviting participants to consider how foods that reshape our habits are grown, decayed, and altered through human intervention.

The installation will be activated through a live sound performance on June 12 (opening) and June 21 (finissage), and through a tasting experience and fermentation workshop on June 14 and 18. On days without scheduled tastings or workshops, the installation (tablescape, video, and soundscape) remains open for viewing.