Art in Action Workshop
Free enrollment via workshops@fotofestiwal.com
Language: English

The climate emergency and the need for sustainability and social and environmental responsibility have never been more critical. The world is facing an unprecedented challenge as we struggle to address the effects of climate change and the environmental degradation that comes with it. Art and culture can also contribute to the transition by highlighting alternative visions and practices that promote social and environmental responsibility. Art sector can raise awareness, stimulate action, promote sustainability models and foster a sense of community and solidarity in the face of this crisis.

As the French philosopher, anthropologist and sociologist Bruno Latour concluded, most contemporary crises are caused by the way we perceive modernity, by separating what is natural from cultural and human from non-human. Accordingly, this mental distinction creates real and objective planetary disasters like overpopulation, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity crisis, climate change etc. Even our intelligence, science, and technology cannot defend us if we won’t modify our way of thinking and functioning. Accordingly, how can we rewrite it and shape substantial change to end this delusional dualism? Latour suggests creating a metaphorical “the parliament of things” and reintegrating our life with the non-human world. To reach that point as a society we need to alter our ethics and consciousness. Easy to say, right? Let’s see what can be the role of artists and the art world in this process of redefinition and decolonizing nature. 

Art in Action is an interdisciplinary and cross-sector workshop addressed to art professionals, artists, curators, producers working at festivals, museums, galleries, and individuals working in the visual art sector who wish to enhance their knowledge and practical skills to address social and environmental concerns. The workshop is designed as an open space technology (OST). The main purpose of the method is to generate, co-create, and exchange new solutions. The final result of the workshop is a toolkit with good practices and recommendations. Besides the pragmatic issues, this process will also explore the importance of artistic practices as a potential force in a cultural reconstruction that needs to be based on real and radical change.  

Workshop lead by: Krzysztof Candrowicz

The workshop is carried out in cooperation with the Futures Photography Platform. Co-financed by the European Union, under the Creative Europe program.
Partner: The University of Lodz