ABSTRACT
The use of smoke in indigenous rituals among the Mapuche and Aymara suggests alternative avenues for understanding surfaces. Short-lived, evanescent surfaces result from the use of smoke; surfaces that are intended to articulate diverse dimensions of reality, turning what is usually hidden in ordinary life to becoming apparent. Conceiving of things as meant to be otherwise, rituals include aerial means to create short-lived platforms; engaging people, spirits and things in an environment that goes in and out of existence.
