Is it possible to re-think our world and our relationship with “nature”? This problematic term is challenged by various artistic productions. What do “natural” and “artificial” mean? Does this dichotomy serve to resolve or pull towards other possible ways? How to think about the “land”, the relationship with other species, where we place ourselves to think about these questions, can influence our daily actions.
This year the Kircher Cultural Center launched the Whale Project, from which a multiplicity of actions and debates arose around different axes. Proyecto T / tierra, as well as the new exhibition ” Symbiology, Artistic Practices in a Planet in Emergency”, bring together thinkers and artists to debate and build new notions linked to Sustainability in its entire spectrum.
For the first time in Buenos Aires, a “Contest with an environmental perspective” will be launched nationally this year from the area of Cultural Innovation. In other parts of the world artists who help to think of possible solutions with innovative perspectives are being awarded.
The third edition of “The Social Art Award” was held by the IFAI (The Institute for Art and Innovation) in Berlin. The theme called “New greening” brings the idea of being more active in protecting the environment, the process of being more ‘green’ in our behavior. “Based on the belief that humanity can only solve complex global problems with openness, inclusion, and interdisciplinary collaboration, different projects were received that offer hopeful perspectives on climate change, saving resources, protecting the environment, recovering ecosystems, water conservation, biodiversity, resilient cities, etc. ”
The first prize of the Social Art Award 2021 went to Joy Lohmann for her collaborative work reflecting on climate change and sea-level rise “Flowgarden”.
A special mention, in cooperation with the “Art for Future Lab”, went to “Symbiotic Futures” by Romy Snijders, who proposes to learn the language of trees.
The interconnection of the trees below the earth puts in debate the whole notion of language and the separation between rational man and animals. To rethink the option of a multiplicity of languages, where one is not worth more than the other, is to understand the capacity and value of another species.
Mo Langmuir with “Mapping Greenness” is the winner of the third prize based on his participatory project with students from the city of Nottingham to imagine a greener future for the city.
This project combines “mapping” and childhood. Together with a group of students proposed to identify the city’s green spaces through drones. The connection with the territory and the link with different communities are essential to achieve a real, sensory, and personal link, in relation to the notions of sustainability.
In Buenos Aires, the La Paternal recycle initiative currently has on display the exhibition “Conjugating community”: Squares, libraries, corners, details of a neighborhood that are translated into stitches, colors, and collective actions in the hands of students from the neighborhood.
Researcher and Environmental Management specialist Annett Baumast says, “It’s not about ‘saving the world but about creating the world we want to live in” *. The role of Art is fundamental as it can provide views and other perspectives. From artist-specific projects to public and private policies, actions can be achieved into an empathic network that draws new perspectives on the future.
* © (BAUMAST 2016) Managing the Arts, Developed by Goethe-Institut and Leuphana
