Contar el mar: comunicación de saberes científicos sobre comunidades insulares y costeras desde las artes escénicas

The public policy for the social appropriation of knowledge under the frame of CTEI of Colombia (2021) encourages the people to carry out initiatives of artistic creation combining the recognition of the cultural diversity in the communities and territories, the knowledge dialogue between different social actors, and making the culture visible as a cross-sectional element in the scientific research. This article proposes some reflections on the challenges of the creation in the terms provided by this policy. These reflections are based on the analysis of El Otro Mar [The Other Sea], a play of drama, music and dance that deals with the problem of the decline in heritage knowledge and the increase of the risks faced by the peasant communities living in two coastal and island locations in Colombia (Buenaventura and the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina). This analysis uses the conceptual perspective of communicating the sciences from the performing arts. It is grounded on the methodology of experience systematization with a critical approach as set out by Oscar Jara. It is concluded that the path for an artistic creation proposed in this public policy is viable. However, it implies to make some organizational and aesthetics decisions including to integrate interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams, to question the inputs of the creative team regarding the involved cultural contexts, and the use of innovative performing resources that strengthen the rapport elements with the potential audiences.