Diego Chocano on Curating Delcy Morelos’ Earth Installation ‘origo’ at the Barbican
Delcy Morelos’ earth installation, titled ‘origo,’ was showcased at the Barbican’s Sculpture Court in London from 15 May to 31 July 2026. Curator Diego Chocano sought to blend ancestral Andean and Amazonian perspectives on earth with modernist design. He stressed that Morelos’ work should not be confined to the concept of ‘wellness,’ as it carries significant social and political implications. The installation included dark tunnels, a custom fragrance, and soil infused with cinnamon and cloves, intended for physical engagement. Its transient nature was essential, featuring shifting colors and forms. Chocano emphasized the need for curators to honor Indigenous wisdom and aimed to spark conversations about sustainability through the use of reclaimed materials and repurposed soil in future endeavors.
Key facts
- Delcy Morelos’ installation ‘origo’ was on view at the Barbican’s Sculpture Court in London from 15 May to 31 July 2026.
- Curator Diego Chocano organized the exhibition, which placed earth and cement in dialogue.
- The installation incorporated ancestral Andean and Amazonian knowledge and materials, including soil mixed with cinnamon and cloves.
- Morelos’ work is ephemeral: soil fell off, colour changed, and shape morphed during the exhibition.
- The Sculpture Court was reactivated for the first time in ten years.
- Chocano warned against framing Morelos’ work solely within ‘wellness’ discourse, emphasizing its social and political significance.
- All wood used in the installation was reused, and soil was repurposed into ‘strocks’ for sustainable building.
- The oval courtyard at the centre of the installation was designed for community and was inhabited by foxes, birds, humans, plants and soil.
Entities
Artists
- Delcy Morelos
- Diego Chocano
- Suzette Bell-Roberts
- Oswaldo Maciá
- Pablo José Ramírez
- Thomas Adank
- Adama Jalloh
Institutions
- Barbican
- Barbican Art Gallery
- Art Africa Magazine
- Barbican Centre
- City of London Corporation
- Barbican Visual Arts
- Bukhman Foundation
- Cheng-Lan Foundation
- Culture Mile BID
- Hamburger Bahnhof
- Dia Chelsea
- Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo
- Chamberlin, Powell and Bon
- designboom
- Cartagena School of Fine Arts
- Pulitzer Arts Foundation
- CAAC
- Museo Moderno
- MUAC
- Juliet Art Magazine
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Andes
- Amazon
- Colombia
- Tierralta
- Córdoba
- Bogotá
- New York
- St. Louis
- Seville
- Buenos Aires
- Mexico City
- Silk Street
- EC2Y 8DS