ARKANA PERU

W W W . A R K A N A P E R U . O R G

C E N T E R F O R C R E A T I V I T Y A N D

C U L T U R A L I N N O V A T I O N

www.arkanaperu.org

We are an institute for creative research in

the arts and sciences Create Experience Transform

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to host a creative research institute and intercultural

centre where visiting creatives from all over the world can work along

side local and indigenous communities and actualize their creative life

purpose while making a tangible difference in the world.

We believe that the planet is our teacher and that

the rain forest offers a precious resource for both

healing and education. Conservation of the rain

forest and local communities and their traditions for

future generations is one of our core missions.

We facilitate volunteerism by visiting students and

help local communities on a wide variety of social

and cultural projects. Through participating in local

projects in the region, students gain rich and

memorable experiences and leave lasting value to

the communities they visit.

We support local and indigenous artists and

organizations, providing unique opportunities for

international knowledge exchange and collaboration

with creative researchers and producers from all

over the world.

We invite creative researchers of all disciplinary

backgrounds who wish to expand the parameters of

their fields. Arkana Peru focuses on the

development of creative thinking and cultural

innovation, which can be applied across all

disciplines.

At Arkana, students test the limits of creative

expression to discover their authentic mission in

their work. Our teaching methodology involves a

deep investigation into new methodologies

and process oriented modes of inquiry inspired by

indigenous knowledges.

Ecological

Five

Directives

Reciprocal

Intercultural

Interdisciplinary

Experimental

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Arkana Arts (Artes Arkana) in a nongovernmental cultural organization whose mission is to

support the local and indigenous arts and culture in Pucallpa and the surrounding region and

facilitate important opportunities for intercultural participation between the indigenous, local,

and international creative community. Central to the planning involves the organization of

annual arts and culture festival in Pucallpa and the administration of scholarships and

international educational exchanges for local and indigenous artists.

      Arkana  Arts

The Pucallpa and Ucayali river region of the Upper

Amazon is heartland to five distinct indigenous

ethnic groups including the Shipibo-Conibo people

who have a rich tradition of hand painted ceramics

and textiles, music, and storytelling. They are well

known throughout the world for being maestro

curanderos or healers, visionary Amazonian plant

medicines that also inspire their vibrant art and

material culture.

THE

SHIPIBO

CONIBO

VISIONARY

ARTPucallpa is also known as a hub for an emerging

tradition of visionary artists. In 1987, self taught

artist and shaman Pablo Amaringo was recognized

by Terrence McKenna for his highly unique mystical

style of painting influenced by his use of the

psychotropic plant medicine, Ayahuasca. With the

support of anthropologist, Eduardo Luna, the Uskar-

Ayer School of Amazonian Painting was created.

Since then, many local artists have been trained and

a vibrant tradition of visionary arts has spring from

this foundation.

CREATIVE  

RESEARCH

INSTITUTESUMMER

2018

Arkana Peru’s Institute for Creative Research

is unlike any in the world. Set in one of the

most dazzling environments on the planet, its

mission is to teach through a

revolutionary teaching methodology and

intercultural and interdisciplinary

collaboration.

Our six week summer institute, hosted

during July and August, invites local

and visiting creative researches of all

disciplinary backgrounds to apply. Learning

outcomes are focused on the synergizing of

life goals in tune with a research

plan. Students undergo a rigorous process of

challenge and change to achieve a

“proposition” or creative conceptual

framework ready for presentation at end of

the term. This proposition will reflect the sum

of the students experiences and creative

vision and provide a roadmap for future

endeavors in their life and work.

Arkana Peru's creative research institute is multi-sited, holding programming in

fascinating locations in one of the most culturally and ecologically diverse

regions in the world: the Upper Amazon Rainforest of Peru.

At Arkana Peru, our teaching philosophy is grounded in relational and situated learning practices that

are shaped by the rich beliefs and culture of the Upper Amazon. Our pedagogy is experiential, holistic,

and inquiry based. We place a strong emphasis on methodological experimentation as well as critical

approaches to problem solving across the arts and sciences. Our mission is to actualize the potential

of the student through developing the imagination, expanding perception, and honing the powers of

discernment in the creative process. By the end of the term, the student will be both highly motivated

and attuned to their own authentic vision and goals that can be directed through the course of their

creative careers.

Our programming involves a series of powerful educational modules that focused on the complete

development of a creative idea from beginning to end. This includes:

Our pedagogy

Participatory and culturally immersive learning experiences in the Upper Amazon.

Catalyzing workshops and studios for deepening and expanding the field of creative inquiry.

Mentoring and guided self-evaluation with creative innovators.

"We need a radical change in how

we imagine our relationship to the

Earth--a vision of a more

sustainable and prosperous life for

all of us in the future. Indigenous

wisdom can teach us how to see

and understand our world

differently--how to live more in

mindfully in nature. This

disappearing knowledge may hold

the key to our survival on this

planet. "

Cultural Intensive

ArkaLab

Creative Incubator

Documentation

Mentoring Week

Presentation

Summer  

Institute  2018Week One:  

Week Two:  

Week Three:

Week Four:   

Week Five:   

Week Six:     

CULTURAL

INTENSIVE

The first week of our summer institute is an intensive

exploration of the fascinating Ucayali region. We will

visit Shipibo communities and discover the rich

culture of the Upper Amazon. During this time, visits

will be made to important organizations and

institutions and presentations given by teachers,

professionals, and wisdom keepers—all who could

be with potential mentors for student projects.

WEEK ONE

Experience amazing culture

Participate in workshops and

attend presentations

Connect with potential mentors

The Ucayali river region is not only one of the most ecologically diverse regions of the world,

but also incredibly rich culturally. Humans have occupied the surrounding rivers and neotropical

rainforests for thousands of years and the result is a huge panoply of indigenous traditions and

practices. These traditions not only reveal other ways of life but inform our teaching

methodologies at Arkana.

The Ucayali: A Cultural Treasure Trove

Eighty percent of the target market are avid coffee-drinkers and now we have an in house barista.

During the Second week, we will venture into

the jungle to Arkana’s rainforest campus.

The ArKaLab is an experimental laboratory and

lies at the heart of Arkana's mission to

offer revolutionary learning experiences that

transcend traditional forms of education.

Through innovative and challenging workshops

and group sessions and facilitation, students

uncover their core values to articulate a creative

"proposition" or central issue or problem they

wish to solve through their project work.

ARKALAB

WEEK TWO

Uncover core creative values

Determine personal obstacles

Articulate a critical theme or

problem to be addressed.

.

Creativity is our most vital

and sustainable human

resource. 

Arkana’s rainforest campus creates a stage for free imagination and play where

students can explore and investigate their deepest motivations. Central to our

philosophy is the belief that subjective process is creative process and we are devoted

to continuing research into the creative process itself as a research methodology.

Through innovative workshops, seminars, and ground breaking practices, we create a

highly volatile space where new ideas can be born and obstacles overcome.

Following the catalytic Arka Lab, students

spend a week incubating their ideas in

deep immersion in the rainforest,

connecting every morning and evening for

group sessions and feedback.

CREATIVE

INCUBATOR

WEEK THREE

Like the rite of passage found in many

traditional societies, the shamanic

apprentice withdraws from everyday life to

in the jungle to be tested and receive the

knowledge of nature and the spiritual

realms. This period of withdrawal and

creative reverie is a fertile time for

incubating ideas, developing receptivity,

and attunement to the intelligence of the

rainforest.

Modern science has proven that

immersion in nature dramatically affects

how we think and feel including both our

creativity and problem solving abilities.

After a period of time in the forest, we feel

more connected to our subtler senses and

experience more profound and sharpened

awarenesses as well as a greater sense

of well being.

DOCUMEN

TATION

During this week, students organize

the material they have collected from

their process and with the supporting

evidence and advise from mentors,

craft it into a coherent proposition.

WEEK FIVE

The documentation process involves the

preparation of a multi-modal presentation of

their choosing on their proposition (creative

proposal) using materials they have gathered

(journals, drawings, photography, and

artifacts). The documentation should reflect a

level of discernment or a distilling of the most

relevant material from the diffusion of ideas and

content the student received from the preceding

three weeks. Their proposition articulates the

main creative issues of importance to the

student, in the context of their life and work.

After the incubation period in our rainforest campus, students connect with their

mentors for a week experiencing life in their organization and participating on their

respective projects. Here they gather advice and feedback for their propositions as

well as gain valuable experience on the ground.

MENTORING WEEK

WEEK FOUR

On the ground experience with a

mentor in their organization

Gain valuable feedback and deepen

context of creative proposition.

After a rigorous self evaluation process with mentors, students complete

their six week summer institute with a presentation of their creative

proposition to their peers and community. During this presentation, future

goals and implementations are workshopped. On the final day, students are

awarded a certificate of achievement.

PRESENTATION

WEEK FIVE

Rigorous self evaluation process

Peer presentation of proposition

ARKANA PERU

CREATIVE

RESIDENCY PROJECT

Arkana Peru also offers researchers a transformative month developing their

projects in the Upper Amazon with local and visiting mentors and

collaborating with organizations on initiatives that have a lasting impact to the

community.

Workshops on traditional Amazonian cultural practices and research.

On the ground involvement on a local community project.

Mentoring and/or curatorial support through one-to-one meetings.

Weekly cross-pollinations with other participating creatives and from the local and global community.

Opportunities to propose talks and workshops at local schools and groups.

For more information, contact us!info@arkanaperu.org

The Residency Programme

includes:

THE RAIN

FOREST

CAMPUSThe heart and soul of Arkana Peru is its

rainforest campus. Located about three hours

outside of Pucallpa in the district of Huanuco,

Arkana Peru is set in virgin rainforest on a

geological wonder of the world: a boiling

river. Possessing remarkable natural beauty and

a huge abundance of plant and animal life, it is

an ideal environment to germinate creative work.

The region is also home to many local and

indigenous communities. Arkana strives to work

in unison with these communities, offering

economic opportunities for work and cultural

exchange whenever possible.

Known as the Shanay-timpiska, in

Quechua (Heated by the Sun), the

thermal river that passes through the

heart of Arkana is a geological wonder

of the world. Research is still being

done about the origins and properties

of this rare and magical river that

travels over two kilometres at near

boiling point.

The Boiling River

Arkana is situated in one of the most

dramatic and ecologically rich

regions of the Amazon. Set in virgin

rainforest in the river sub-basin of the

Ucayali, a main tributary of the Amazon

river in Peru, here you can find an

astonishing variety of rare medicinal

plants and innumerable species of

animals: birds, monkeys, tapirs, deer,

reptiles, insects, and fish.

The Peruvian Amazon jungle is one of

the most biologically diverse areas on

Earth, possessing the third-largest

number of mammals and the largest

number of bird species in the world.

The site of Arkana Peru is set on 13 hectares

of virgin rainforest along the thermal river. It is

here that will unfold our master plan to build a

fully sustainable and ecological school,

structured on biophilic and natural natural

design principles. The first phase of

construction is pending application for a long-

term concession to secure custodianship of

these lands. Building will begin Summer 2018.

The Site

Arkana Peru Site Plan

Clusters of buildings (in orange) can be

seen along the winding thermal river and

represent the Arkana centre: school and

courtyard, live/work studios treehouses

"tambos," residential buildings and

kitchens, workshops, and a ceremonial

sweatlodge.

Arkana's architecture will feature an

integration of traditional and modern

design influences. The nexus and heart

of the centre is a circular school and

meeting place that is inspired by a

maloca or "house of knowledge"

(ceremonial house) in Amazonian

traditional culture. The centre will also

feature an environmental design that is

shaped by indigenous cosmic geography

that allows for interconnection and

collaboration and solitude in nature.

A distinct feature of the Arkana

master plan is the construction of

treehouse live/work studios or

"tambos" distributed throughout

the rainforest. These buildings

allow for both the concentration

and immersion in nature needed

for creative inspiration.

Tambos

Design Precedents for other buildings at Arkana include residential buildings, dining and kitchen spaces, a ceremonial sweatlodge and workshops and ateliers. (see end page for ref)

S A N T U A R I O H U I S H T I NOur closest rainforest partner and

neighbour is traditional plant medicine

centre, Santuario Huishtin (Sanctuary

of Starlight). Owned and operated by

Maestro Santiago Enrrique Paredes

Melendez, vegetalista (plant spirit

shaman), his wife, Ayme Vargas, and

family, Santuario has been the

pilgrammage destination of countless

visitiors from all over the world.

Until Arkana is built, Santuario will be

the base of our operations and

programming. Maestro Santiago is not

only an excellent host but a primary

mentor. While there, Students can

observe the ancient practices of

Amazonian plant medicine and

participate in shamanic ceremonies.

One of Arkana’s most important

missions is conserving the rainforest

and culture of the surrounding region.

Set in one of the oldest oilfields of

Peru, this area is rich in natural

resources, populated by ancient

species of plants, animals, fossils and

mineral deposits.

Tragically, this region is under

immanent threat by deforestation and

contamination and we are striving to

get this area protected. If our land

concession is approved, Arkana Peru

will become custodian of a small but

vital holding along the boiling river

holding and hopefully protect the area

for future generations. Proceeds from

Arkana programming goes directly to

our NGO ARKANA ARTS and this

conservation project.

An Urgent Conservation Project

GETTING

TO USOur headquarters are located in the

bustling Upper Amazonian city of

Pucallpa, on the border with Brazil. To get

to us, travel to the Jorge Chavez airport in

the Peruvian capital, Lima, and take a

one hour connecting flight to Pucallpa

(Captain Rolden airport).

Angela O'Hara, a Canadian artist,

educator, and social entrepreneur, has

been traveling to the Upper Amazon of

Peru for the past six years. Having

originally come to the Amazon to do

fieldwork for her PhD on indigenous

knowledge and visionary methodologies

in creative research, she has

dedicated her life to conserving the rich

culture and ecology of this region and

helping people achieve their creative

potential.

ANGELA

O 'HARA

WE NEED YOU!Do you want immerse yourself in an environment unlike any other on the planet and

be part of something extraordinary?

Arkana Peru seeks creative people (designers, builders, architects, engineers,

gardeners and landscapers and more) to participate in all stages of the building of the

centre, from the design stage to the construction.

Contact us for more information on our programming and how you can get involved.

info@arkanaperu.org www.arkanaperu.org

SEE YOU IN PERU!