Monica Alcazar-Duarte's 'Space Nomads' contrasts Mayan bee wisdom with James Webb Telescope

Mónica Alcázar-Duarte, a Mexican-British multidisciplinary artist, explores progress and Indigenous heritage in her work, notably through her Aesthetica Art Prize-shortlisted film 'Space Nomads'. The piece juxtaposes the Mayan stingless honeybee, vital to the Yucatán Peninsula's ecosystem and referenced in the Popol Vuh, with the James Webb Space Telescope, contrasting ancient ecological knowledge with astronomical research. Alcázar-Duarte aims to challenge societal views on expansion and growth, emphasizing Indigenous perspectives without romanticization. Her creative process involves extensive research followed by intuitive production, focusing on decolonizing image-making. Upcoming exhibitions include shows at the V&A, Fotografiska, and Musée du quai Branly. The Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition runs at York Art Gallery until 25 January 2025, offering a £10,000 prize. Alcázar-Duarte continues to critique over-technologization in her new work, excluding AI, and stresses ecological responsibility and humility in understanding multiple coexisting worlds.