Art, Ecology and Environmental Activism

Duration: Nov 03 – Nov 24, 2022
Fee: 174€
Max seats: 30
Enroll before: Oct 31, 2022
Live sessions: 2 hrs/week

Online course by Node Center for Curatorial Studies with Ela Spalding

The course is a deep dive into the growing movement of art related to the environment and activism. It is a space for artists, curators, activists and cultural producers wishing to engage in conversations and artistic practices that address the complex issues we face regarding nature, sustainability and climate justice.

During the course we will focus on ecology and its principles as a lens to observe how such art and activism projects are designed, enacted and followed through. Or in other words: how to maintain ecological consistency and integrity from start to finish.

Participants are invited to bring their ideas and concerns, as we will dedicate time to discussions and feedback for existing or potential projects. Since the essence of ecology is relating, the course will take the form of an open dialogue in which participants can share their processes, and will have the opportunity to develop their projects through exchange and mutual support.

Program

Session 1: Welcome and Introductions

• Introduction of lecturer and participants.
• Overview of the course.
• Key concepts of ecology and its expanded notions.
• Sharing of suggested readings for the course.

Session 2: The Context of Art and Ecology

• Case studies of art projects or practices that are environmentally engaged.
• Open discussion, and invitation to participants to share their current or envisioned projects or ideas, as well as important questions they may currently have.

Session 3: Activism — Following nature’s lead. Shifting Perception

• Case studies of projects that use nature principles, elements or approaches that have an actual impact on the environment.
• Reflections about the places and topics that participants are interested in developing; considering the desired effects of a project, hence the form.

Session 4: Practical Considerations and Strategies.

• What makes a project effective, bringing actual change?
• Open discussion: observations about projects that have effective outcomes. What were their strategies?
• How to document and share projects.
• Feedback for participant’s project ideas.
• Closing remarks.