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Within the artistic research at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, the relationship between art and ecology plays an increasingly important role. Based on the need to give ecology a permanent place within the Academy's fabric, we established the new interdisciplinary research group ‘Art & Ecology’, which will be launched during the research festival ARTICULATE I ECOSYSTEMS. Among the other research groups as well, social and political engagement and artistic activism linked to ecological issues have long been part of their identity.
To inspire a young generation of artists to delve deeper into the theory and practice of eco-art or to even move with their own practice into the field of art and ecology, ARTICULATE I ECOSYSTEMS presents a comprehensive programme that encourages critical reflection and engagement.
PROGRAMME ARTICULATE I ECOSYSTEMS - ACADEMY
| Tue 17 Oct |
Prologue ARTICULATE |
| 14:00 - 20:00 |
Science and technology alone won't save the Earth. Eco-capitalism misleads; climate change is also a cultural issue. This symposium challenges our ecological senses, rediscusses (cultural) mobility and ecological responsibility, and winks at creative approaches to cooler futures. |
| Fri 20 Oct |
OPENING ARTICULATE |
| 18:00 - 19:30 |
‘Carved to flow – Germination’, Otobong Nkanga in dialogue with Emanuele Coccia |
| 19:30 |
Opening exhibitions with drinks and food |
| 21 Oct - 9 Nov | |
| Wed - Sat 12:00 - 18:00 |
‘Forms of Life’ explores the multiple resonances of a question animating all fields of contemporary creation, thought, and society: that of our relation to other forms of life, and the ways in which we inhabit the world. |
| 21 Oct - 9 Nov | |
| Wed - Sat 12:00 - 18:00 |
With the exhibition ‘Ecosystems’ we bring historical and contemporary 'eco-art' into the school walls, not only as a source of inspiration, but also as food for critical thought, and as a stimulus for future artistic practices. |
| 21 Oct - 9 Nov | |
| Mon - Fri 09:00 - 12:00 13:00 - 17:00 |
A selection of inspiring and thought-provoking books on ecosystems, and art & ecology, selected from the Academy Library's collection. |
| 23 - 27 Oct | |
| Mon - Fri 10:00 - 18:00 |
The five-day experimental and reflective research classes for master students focus on various facets of ecosystems. Under the guidance of artist-researchers, the students work around art and ecology, climate change, community gardening, rituals, food, embodiment, landscape, nature and activism. |
| Tue 24 Oct |
ARIA Symposium ‘Pacifism. Commitment or cowardice, idealism or opportunism?’ |
| 14:00 - 20:00 |
The war in Ukraine challenged our idea of pacifism. What with art and culture in times of war? |
| Wed 25 Oct | |
| 14:00 - 17:00 |
Debate organised by the Young Academy, with Nicolas Baeyens, Lodewijk Heylen, Kevin Trappeniers, Sergio Servellon, Stella Lohaus, Laurence Petrone, Maarten Inghels, Bart Vanderbiesen, Vedran Kopljar, Nikol Wellens, among others. |
| Thu 26 Oct | |
| 19:00 |
Talk with Johan Pas, Nico Dockx and guests, on the topicality and current relevance of the land and eco art of the 60s and 70s, reflecting on the role of printed matter, photography and video in documenting temporary interventions. |
| Fri 27 Oct |
Presentations by students |
| 13:00 - 15:00 |
Presentations 'Research Classes' |
| 15:00 - 17:00 |
Presentations ‘Digital Mythology workshop’ |
| Sat 28 Oct | |
| 15:00 - 18:00 |
Wrap-up symposium organised by the Young Academy, with Nicolas Baeyens and Annelies Van Assche. |
| Tue 7 Nov | |
| 19:00 |
To mark the beginning of the new research group ‘Art & Ecology’, we launch a voluminous publication of writings by American eco-artist Patricia Johanson, giving the impressive artistic-ecological programme, which she has developed since the late 1960’s, prominence as one of the best practices for eco-artists. |
| Wed 8 Nov |
Lecture-workshop 'Silver nor Gold' by Tim Theo Deceuninck |
| 14:00 - 17:00 |
Within the framework of the Hydromedia project and the 'Ecosystems' exhibition, artist Tim Theo Deceuninck will introduce you to the development of organic ink. |
| Wed 8 Nov |
Talk ‘Augurism, the intriguing world of Baloji’ |
| 19:00 |
Conversation between transdisciplinary artist Baloji and Brandon Wen, creative director of the fashion department of the Academy, organized by MoMu and Expanding Academy. |
| Thu 9 Nov |
Laser Talk ‘Restoring the Human Element’ |
| 19:00 |
MAXlab Research Group organizes an evening of lectures and debates with artists and scientists working at the intersection between art and technology, often in transdisciplinary collaborations. |
ARTICULATE | ECOSYSTEMS is the eighth edition of the annual research festival of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp.
→ Check here the programme at the Conservatoire