Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave

This study examines the intersection of Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) and
Biocultural Heritage through the lens of audiovisual site-specific performances in the
Coastal Geopark of Viana do Castelo. Employing an art-based research methodological
framework, the research investigates how the performativity of memory, sound, and
visual anthropology contributes to a multidimensional understanding of CES. By
integrating perspectives from performance studies, autobiographical narratives, and
artistic poetics, the study highlights the role of audiovisual performances in mediating
memory, fostering ecological awareness, and promoting cultural sustainability. Through
ethnographic fieldwork and participatory artistic interventions, this research evaluates
the impact of audiovisual storytelling on environmental consciousness and
conservation efforts, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability and
biocultural heritage preservation.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) defines Cultural Ecosystem Services
(CES) as the nonmaterial benefits that individuals derive from ecosystems,
encompassing spiritual, cognitive, aesthetic, and recreational dimensions. Likewise,
Biocultural Heritage, as articulated in the Declaration of Belém (1988), underscores the
intrinsic connections between biological and cultural diversity through traditional
knowledge and practices. This study explores the role of audiovisual site-specific
performances in the Coastal Geopark of Viana do Castelo as a mechanism for
investigating, preserving, and communicating biocultural heritage while reinforcing the
significance of CES.
The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon performance studies,
visual and sound anthropology, autobiographical studies, and artistic poetics and
creative processes. Performance studies provide a framework for analyzing how
performative practices shape and express memory within site-specific contexts. Visual
and sound anthropology examine the role of audiovisual media in capturing and
mediating relationships between individuals and their environments. Autobiographical
studies offer insights into the significance of personal and collective narratives in
fostering environmental consciousness. Artistic poetics and creative methodologies
further explore the ways in which artists engage with landscapes and communities to
generate meaningful cultural expressions.
An art-based research methodological approach is employed, incorporating
ethnographic fieldwork with local communities to document ecological knowledge and
cultural expressions. Audiovisual documentation and analysis of site-specific
performances conducted within the Coastal Geopark of Viana do Castelo provide
insight into the interplay between artistic practices and cultural memory. Reflexive
artistic practice, wherein the researcher actively participates in creative processes to
explore biocultural narratives, constitutes a fundamental component of this
methodology. Additionally, participatory approaches facilitate the involvement of
community members in co-creative artistic interventions, ensuring a collaborative and
inclusive exploration of CES.
The Coastal Geopark of Viana do Castelo, characterized by its rich ecological and
cultural landscape, serves as an exemplary site for this investigation. The study
examines how audiovisual performances within this territory contribute to memory
performativity, environmental awareness, and sustainability. Memory performativity is
analyzed through embodied practices and storytelling techniques that revitalize local
histories and ecological knowledge. Artistic interventions are found to strengthen
connections between individuals and their surroundings, enhancing environmental
awareness. Furthermore, cultural expressions are examined as integral components of
biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship, reinforcing the role of CES in
sustainability efforts.
This paper critically evaluates the contribution of site-specific audiovisual
performances to the enrichment of CES through the integration of local knowledge,
artistic expression, and scientific discourse. It posits that the performativity of memory
facilitates a holistic and experiential understanding of cultural and ecological
sustainability. By recognizing the interplay between artistic practice and biocultural
heritage, the study underscores the potential of audiovisual site-specific performances
to enhance the appreciation of CES. Ultimately, the research calls for broader
interdisciplinary collaboration in the conservation and promotion of cultural and
ecological sustainability through performative and audiovisual methodologies.