News Archive 2011

7-9 December 2011

SENSORY WORLDS: Environment, Value and the Multi-Sensory
Edinburgh, Scotland



Conference Theme

It is through our senses that we investigate, navigate and know the world around us and the other beings, forces and phenomena that constitute it in its rich and lively variety. To consider the nature of sensory being is to be confronted by questions that examine the ways in which we engage with our environments and those that interrogate the very nature of embodiment. Constantly at work and yet often undervalued, the sensorium is broader and more complex than the traditional Western classifications of the five senses allow. Intermingling and constantly shifting with our attention and experiences, our senses orient us in the world (though sometimes they also disorient us). We sense the world and are at once both part of it and other from it. Moving through a terrain, feeling the resistance of the ground beneath our feet or the push of the crowd, or smelling the fumes of diesel and the throbbing heat of a machine engine, or quietly tracing the intricate lines of wood carvings made by another hand in another time, or tasting the sharp or bitter flavours of foods unfamiliar to the palate, or re-imagining the suffered pain of an ugly injury; all such episodes and more raise the question of how our senses play a role in human flourishing and well-being. Furthermore, they illuminate the ways in which our actions, values and ways of understanding the world are rooted in our sentience – which is ever becoming and allowing of us to exceed ourselves.
Sensory Worlds engages with these and other issues; considering 'worlds' in a particularly ecological light in order to ask: what contribution can a sensorially-engaged Humanities make to environmental thinking and action? The conference will examine the multi-sensory and will reflect upon the historical, contemporary and possible future relations between the senses (from balance to taste to the haptic and beyond). It will be an interdisciplinary, interrogative and exploratory meeting that will make space for sensorially-engaged scholarship and practice, and will facilitate discursive and constructive meetings between a variety of scholars working on themes related to embodiment, ecology and value. Contributions are invited from those working within the humanities, arts and social sciences. We are interested in contributions that will themselves embody alternatives to the presuppositions common to Western twentieth century engagement with the world such as anthropocentrism, mind-body dualism, and isolated subjectivity.

Conference Structure

The conference will consist of four different structural elements: Paper Sessions, Panel Sessions, Keynotes and Installations. Drawing upon traditions, strong in Edinburgh, of conversation and conviviality, the conference aims to allow generously for both formal and informal discussions and dialogues. To this end, scheduling will allow for discussion time after all presentations and for breaks during which conference attendees will be invited to eat and socialise together.

Keynote presentations will be delivered by David Abram, author of 'The Spell of the Sensuous' and 'Becoming Animal' and Iain Borden from The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. These lectures will be open to the public as part of our effort to engage with wider issues and audiences, and will be followed by Q&A sessions.

Animal Senses
(human and non-human; species embodiment; animality; communication and expression; consciousness; morality; senses across species; habitat; environment and behaviour)

Technology and the Wasting and/or Enhancement of the Senses
(de-sensitizing; loss; over-stimulation; technological mediation; progress; health; the cyborg; the haptic; atrophy of the senses; new horizons of perception; renovation of the senses)

Nature, Self and Society
(relationality; identity; formation of self; interdependence; resilience; gender; self and other; embodiment and being; ecology)

Value, Action and Environmental Engagement
(Humanities engagement with environmental issues; feeling and motivation; making; participation; rights and responsibilities; resonance; rights; movement(s))

Historical and Future Senses
(period senses; bodies and the sensory organs; memory; time and space; how the senses have been understood throughout the ages; transformation; medicine, science and discovery; rationality)

The Imagination and the (Inter)Play of the Senses
(common sense; synaesthesia; intervention; beyond 'the five'; the sixth sense; play; creativity; metaphor; empathy; intermingling senses; the uncanny)

www.iash.ed.ac.uk/Sawyer/Conference.html
 

11 November, 2011

Thesis: In Nature, a dialogue with the the works of Nils-Aslak Valkeapää
Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland

On Friday 11 November, Leena Valkeapää, member of our research group on arts-based environmental education, will defend her doctoral thesis at Aalto University, School of Art and Design (Media Centre Lume, Sampo Hall, Hämeentie 135 C, Helsinki), at 12.00 AM The opponent will be Professor Tere Vadén, of University of Tampere.
Inspiration for this research came from the highland fell region of Finland’s northwestern panhandle Käsivarsi, or in English - The Arm. To the eyes of a stranger the landscape is barren and empty.
However, the Sami artist Nils-Aslak Valkeapää, Áillohaš (1943-2001), who was born and spent his life in the area, told the world through different modes of expression that this land of stark nature was also home to the people who lived there. Inspired by his poems, the research examines how people have lived in this environment devoid of almost all traces of human existence, and what life is like today in the decade 2010.
The dissertation is an artistic enquiry. In the research, art moves step by step into the way of life in which Nils Aslak Valkeapää’s works were born, and from there progresses into a circle of artistic creation and reception. The locality is approached first from the point of view of a hiker, then from that of an artist and then a new transformed personal point of view eminating from the researcher’s life experiences. The research is approached through artistic modes of thinking and realised through an autoethnographic account; that is, explicated through exposure and acquisition of research data issuing from the events of everyday life. The core of the research lies in a continuing dialogical relationship between the thinking of the researcher’s husband Oula A. Valkeapää and the researcher. Thus the data of the research is also based on the researcher’s own life, observations, experiences and continuing dialogical contact.
The research widens when alongside Nils-Aslak Valkeapää’s poems are set mobile text messages from Oula A. Valkeapää (b.1970) and extracts of Johan Turi’s (1854–1936) work Kertomus saamelaisista (1979), from the original Sami Muitalus sámiid birra (1910) and translated into English as Turi’s Book of Lappland (1931). They are all Sami people from nomadic reindeer cultures. In the research the shared practices and cultural heritage of the narrators is called reindeer life.
The themes of the dialogue are wind, reindeer, time, fire and humans. The focus is on the impact of wind, life with reindeer, concept of time, different meanings of fire and the sense of feeling your way as a human into the practices of reindeer herding. The themes of the research define the circle of life for all the narrators. The dialogue brings forth phenomena which are conserved by living in nature. For example it is evident that Sami reindeer herders have not attempted to domesticate nature. From the perspective of reindeer life, nature already exists fully formed and there is no impetus to manipulate or develop it. The core skill to the way of life is an understanding of how time passes and the ability to connect with the ever changing environmental conditions so that the balance of nature doesn’t change. Hence, human traces disappear from the landscape. Thus the opportunity to live in nature is passed from generation to generation. Through the dialogue it also becomes apparent what kind of an impact the technologised time has had on the relationship between humans and nature.
The three narrators’ poems, tales and text messages weave a multi-layered pattern of thinking. The text is accompanied and commented on by photographs by Oula A. Valkeapää and the researcher and drawings by Johan Turi and Nils-Aslak Valkeapää’s mother, Susanna Valkeapää.
Leena's book In Finnish) is for sale via:

www.taik.fi/kirjakauppa
www.maahenki.fi

15 November, 2011

Shorelines: A one day international symposium exploring place, creativity and wellbeing
The Maclaurin Galleries, Ayr, Scotland

Organisers : School of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of the West of Scotland in conjunction with University of Wales Institute Cardiff and South Ayrshire Council Museums and Galleries

Keynote Speakers: Iain McGilchrist, Psychiatrist, writer, author of The Master and His Emissary: the Divided Brain and the Making of the Modern World, and Chris Drury, Land Artist.

Jan van Boeckel of the research group on arts-based environmental education will present a paper here with the title: "Angels talking back and new organs of perception: Art making and intentionality in nature experience."

This one day academic symposium, to be held at the Maclaurin Galleries, Ayr, Scotland, will explore interconnections between creative spaces or locations and physical and emotional wellbeing. It will seek to bring together a multidisciplinary audience of researchers, academics and arts practitioners to present cutting edge research in their fields, to foster discussion and further understanding about the significance of place in the creative process and its potential to enhance the quality of human experience.

Themes:
Place: Stimulating locations, creative spaces, geographical inspiration
Creativity: creative process in the visual arts, music, literature, poetry and drama with
focus on stimulation, inspiration, innovation and cognition related to physical spaces and
location
Wellbeing: physical and mental health and connections with creative process and
physical location, spaces or places.

Contacts:
Elizabeth Kwasnik Elizabeth.Kwasnik@south-ayrshire.gov.uk Tel: (01292) 445447
Anne Bontke Ann.Bontke@south-ayrshire.gov.uk Tel: (01292) 445447

www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/events/eventdetails.aspx?id=1022

4-5 November, 2011

BALANCE - UnBaLANCe 2011
Montreal, Canada

The BALANCE-UNBALANCE conference will seek to bring artists together with scientists, economists, philosophers, politicians, sociologists, engineers, management and policy experts with the intent of engendering a deeper awareness and creating lasting intellectual working partnerships in solving our global environmental crisis.
Using art as a catalyst, BALANCE-UNBALANCE 2011 will explore intersections between NATURE, ART, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY as we move into an era of both unprecedented ecological threats and transdisciplinary possibilities.
BALANCE-UNBALANCE will call for two days of reflection, debate, and the promotion of projects and actions regarding the environment and our human responsibility at this defining moment in our history. The conference will be held at Concordia University during November 4th and 5th of 2011.
One of the main goals of this conference is to develop the role of the arts and artists in dealing with environmental challenges.
CALL FOR PAPERS / ARTISTIC WORKS / TRANSDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY Montreal - Canada

http://balance-unbalance2011.hexagram.ca/
 

8-15 October, 2011

Transhumance
Eastern Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria

Transhumance is the seasonal movement of shepherds and their livestock. They migrate between mountainous and lowland pastures as the seasons change. Transhumance used to be widespread in Bulgaria and although the transhumance is of high importance for the maintenance of grassland habitats and culture conservation, the practice was lost under communism.

It has been unclear until recently, but we are happy to inform you that the Transhumance in Bulgaria, for the fourth continuing year, also will be held this year. The main reason for this is that the National Park “Sinite Kamani” (Blue Rocks) near Sliven need a herd to grace the higher pastures and that in the area Kotel – Sliven the move of herds is not banned. This Transhumance will again be open for tourists who, with their contribution, will help the economic possibility by side-financing the shepherd’s family and contact person of the Foundation for Wild Flora and Fauna (FWFF).
The spring Transhumance will be held from 14-21 May and the route goes from Arpaluka – Kotel – Zheravna – Neykovo – Sinite Kamani. The autumn Transhumance will be held from 15 – 22 October with reversed route. Per day the distance will be not more than 15 km and the attitude difference not more than 600 meters (400-1000 meters). The heard will be between 100 to 140 sheep, accompanied by the shepherd’s family Dobri and his wife together with one or two horsemen, and facilitated by Lucho from the local FWFF branch. Jaap van Beelen, a Dutchmen living in Kotel and owner of goKotel, will be organisator, guide and interpreter during the tour.
During the spring transhumance, a festival will be organised at the day that the herd will leave Kotel, The festival includes Bulgarian and Karakachan folklore, the ritual blessing of the herd, and competition for the best sheep shaver, the best/most practical shepherd’s attribute and shepherd dog. In the evening their will be a festive diner together with the shepherd family and FWFF staff.

Maximum number of guest that can go along is 12.
Autumn Transhumance, Sinite Kamani – Kotel: 15-22 October, € 415

Transhumance Bulgaria 2011 is organised by FWFF Bulgaria (www.fwff.org) together with goKotel (www.gokotel.com), and is possible thanks to the good work of Rebelfarmer (www.rebelfarmer.org) over the last 3 years.

Download flyer (PDF) on Transhumance project

1–6 October, 2011

Eventually Wild: Practices at the Threshold. Leading into our unknowable future
The Towerland Wilderness, Langeberg Mountains, Southern Cape, South Africa

 A workshop with Chris Seeley, Robert McNeer, Sue Davidoff and Allan Kaplan

“In Wildness is the Preservation of the World”
Henry Thoreau

Wild is a state of being - to be able to range beyond limits, to cross thresholds, inner and outer. In our working lives, we are often so defined by outer circumstance that we are unable to access the creativity and freedom demanded by situations that call for entirely new ways of responding, beyond the conventional. We need to be able to go deeper into our own sense of wild and freedom. Eventually Wild is an exploratory workshop offering you the opportunity to expand your perceptions of what the world is calling from you now as a leader in your field, whether you work in business, consultancy, education, community development or the public sector. Together, we will explore wilder ways of seeing and responding to our world. We will shape imaginative and perceptual practices that will enable us to experience the qualities of wild within and without us in practiced and rigorous ways.

 We’ll work creatively with our minds and bodies through imagination, slow contemplation, inquiring discussion and fierce conversations;through playing and movement, words and voice, listening and watching; through image-making, writing and questioning. We will work to find the qualities of wild within ourselves such that we can renew and evolve our purpose and presence as leaders. So that, in fact, we can begin to lead beyond the expected, to find the unexpected and even unexperienced within ourselves. And we will do this within a wilderness setting that enables outer paths and inner paths to meet in conversation through our unfolding journey. Eventually Wild will take place at Towerland Wilderness, a mountain wilderness situated in the Langeberg Mountains of the southern Cape, South Africa.
Workshop dates/times: 1 – 6 October 2011. Participants are expected to arrive late afternoon of 30
September and depart morning of 6 October.
Cost: R7,800 including 6 nights accommodation, all food and facilitation. (If you are interested but
cannot afford the cost please contact us. This workshop enjoys no outside financial support. But
we will try to accommodate where we can.)
Inquiries and Applications: Please contact Luke Kaplan of The Proteus Initiative at people@proteusinitative.org with any inquiries. If you wish to apply please send a letter of application – containing a brief description of who you are and what motivates you to want to attend – also to Luke Kaplan.

http://proteusinitiative.org/PCurrentNew.aspx

26 September – 2 October, 2011

FIELD_NOTES – Cultivating Ground
Kilpisjärvi Biological Station in Kilpisjärvi/ Lapland/ Finland

Organized by the Finnish Bioart Society in the context of the Ars Bioarctica project together with the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station.
“ Field_Notes – Cultivating Grounds” is a week long field laboratory for theory and practice on art&science work at the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station of the University of Helsinki in Lapland. Five working groups, each hosted by an expert (Oron Catts, Marta de Menezes, Anu Osva, Tapio Makela and Terike Haapoja) together with a team of four, will develop, test and evaluate specific artistic approaches based on the interplay of art & science. The outcome of Field_Notes will result in a publication published by the Finnish Bioart Society in 2012.

Read more
http://bioartsociety.fi/archives/1929
 

29 September - 1 October, 2011

Art + Environment Conference
Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, Nevada, USA

Art museums can be temples to culture or cultural catalysts. They can be passive and predictable or unpredictably idea-driven. Museums can watch the world pass them by, or they can shape the trajectory of its course. Art and ideas matter here. We see art that challenges minds, melds environments and cultures, and responds to the uncertainties of the future. Art has a point of view and it deserves a voice at the table. That's what the Art + EnvironmentSM Conference gives it.
The Art + Environment Conference at the Nevada Museum of Art reaches across continents, disciplines, and media to unite a dynamic group of thinkers shaping ideas about human interactions with global environments. A flagship program of the Museum's Center for Art + Environment, the 2011 Conference brings together artists, scholars, designers, and writers for a dialogue that fosters new knowledge in the visual arts. During the Conference, the Museum's galleries feature exhibitions that question our relationships with natural, built, and virtual environments, while serving as a springboard for Conference sessions and keynote presentations.

http://www.nevadaart.org/conference2011/index.html
 

29-30 September, 2011

Ute är inne 2011 (Outside is Inside 2011)
Malmö, Sweden

Den tredje konferensen om utomhuspedagogik öppnar dörrarna till morgondagens skola.
Här tar du del av både nya och beprövade verktyg för lärande i lokal skolutveckling - med närmiljön som lärmiljö. Att visa vägen till kunskap är en av skolans uppgifter. Utbildningen ska enligt läroplanen främja hälsa, lärande, lek och en allsidig utveckling i ett livslångt perspektiv. Genom utomhuspedagogik och friluftsliv kan skolans alla ämnen och teman göras levande utifrån läroplanen.
Upplevelser i utemiljön erbjuder ett variationsrikt lärande där boklig bildning växelverkar med sinnliga erfarenheter - känsla, handling och tanke förenas. Vid 2011 års konferens i Malmö sätts stadens utemiljö i centrum med inspiration från havet, kulturlandskapet och andra spännande platser i staden.

Konferensen vänder sig till:
• skolledare, pedagoger och övrig personal inom förskola, grundskola och gymnasieskola, samt lärarutbildningar och skolhälsovården.
• landskapsarkitekter, arkitekter, planerare och andra som arbetar med utvecklande utemiljöer för barn och unga.
• alla som är ideellt engagerade exempelvis inom friluftsliv, hälsofrämjande arbete,
natur- och kulturvägledning.

http://utenavet.se/
 

28 September, 2011

OUT & ABOUT - Perspectives on Outdoor Education
Malmö University, Sweden

RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM - Deadline for submission of abstracts: August 15, 2011

An informal research symposium focusing on emerging research on outdoor education! The conference is hosted by Malmö University in collaboration with the city of Malmö and the Skåne Region. Conference language will be Swedish – papers and presentations in English are however most welcome. We especially encourage contributions from young researchers, Masters and Ph.D. students.

Background and aim of the symposium
Outdoor education is a rapidly growing field in Scandinavia, which is expressed as an increased interest in outdoor activities and learning in pre-schools and schools. The research symposium Out & About is preceding the third major conference in outdoor education for practitioners Ute är Inne – further information and programme on www.utenavet.se. The outdoor education field has developed in parallel with a strong tradition in social movements with a focus on outdoor activities, recreation, health promotion and nature conservation. This symposium will focus on outdoor education as a general phenomenon in a late modern, urbanized, transcultural, multimodal and – prospectively – sustainable society.

Themes:
Outdoor education – international and intercultural perspectives
Nature as an arena for learning
The extended classroom – exploring new opportunities
Sustainability and outdoor education
Representations of learning and health promotion in natural environments
The learning city – nature and culture in a new light

Call for abstracts
We invite you to submit abstracts in relation to the above topics. Deadline for abstracts is August 15, 2011. Abstracts should contain no more than 400 words. Participants with accepted abstracts will be asked to present papers at the symposium – further information about papers, set-up of sessions, proceedings, etc, will be communicated with the authors.

The Scientific Committee of the symposium will be encouraging innovative, emerging research topics and short papers/presentations in favour of previously published works.
Participation at the symposium will unfortunately be limited to those who have accepted abstracts/presenters.

Social programme - related activities
The research symposium Out & About is preceding the Third Conference “Ute är Inne”, a major Scandinavian conference on outdoor education for practitioners. A special evening programme is arranged on the 28th at Limhamns kalkbrott (lime quarry) in collaboration with “Ute är Inne”. A limited number of seats are reserved for participants at Out & About. Please make a request for the evening programme when applying for the symposium.

www.mah.se/lut/outandabout

28 September, 2011

Cultivation Field: Postgraduate Symposium & Exhibition

Postgraduate research Art PhD Symposium 2011
Symposium: 28th September 2011
Exhibition: 28th September to 6th October 2011

The premise for this Symposium and accompanying Exhibition is that cultivation is leading to new art practices deserving of critical inquiry and articulation. Whether in the garden or allotment, the soup kitchen or the road, on wasteland or the tower block, or wherever there are cracks in the system, cultivation provokes questions about human being's relation to and encounter with the earth and its growth systems and operations. The purpose of this Symposium and Exhibition is to encourage discursive exchange and productive encounter between art practitioners and researchers within the cultivation field.

Artists and research students are invited to submit 250 word abstracts for the Symposium and/or the Exhibition, accompanied by a short biography or CV. We are interested in proposals for paper presentations, performance (including culinary), film, intervention, sound, installation, or text works, that explore plant-based material, land use, growth, ecosystems, economy, taxonomy, environment, power and chaos in the field of cultivation.
Performances can be arranged in open-air locations on the campus. Individual presentations will be restricted to 20 minutes duration.
For enquiries contact: cultivationfield@pgr.reading.ac.uk
The deadline for registration is: 23 September 2011.
Artist-made plant-based lunch and refreshments will be available. THIS EVENT IS FREE

www.reading.ac.uk/art/pg-research/art-postgraduate-research-courses-about.aspx

3-10 Sept. & 11-17 Sept., 2011

"Spirit of Wilderness"- Wild Intelligence environmental creativity courses
Lapland, Finland

Wild Intelligence is an exciting new approach to outdoor learning and environmental awareness through creativity. Through workshops and courses in nature it offers experiences that raise the value of experiencing wilderness as a multi-dimensional intelligence with the potential to change lives, to educate at all levels, to heal and inspire.
Wild Intelligence is offering unique and inspirational environmental creativity courses for the summer of 2011 in the Arctic Circle. This is a magical wilderness landscape, vast and overwhelming and to create paintings, ceramics, land art, or work in other media here is unforgettable.

The courses in Lapland are a chance to respond to experiences of wilderness that combine the development of sensory awareness and immersion in the landscape, with the perspective of a deep rooted indigenous culture. We will be in an environment that has immense presence, and our quest is to find ways to express its place in our lives, and our lives in its presence.

In September the landscape transforms in the period of ‘Ruska’ when the trees and shrubs turn to glorious bright yellow and red – an autumn festival of rich colour celebrating the end of another fertile season, and heralding the time to prepare once again for the long and unforgiving winter. Soon the sun will disappear beneath the horizon and the light will go, only to be replaced by moonlight reflected on the snow and the magical dance of the Northern Lights.
The energy of the colour is about very close chromatic, tonal and textural combinations set against completely contrasting ones ... so all the subtle yellows, pinks and ochres of birch and aspen are set in dark woods of deep greens, blacks, blue greys. These are then, surprisingly, poised above a carpet of wine, purple and the maroons of bilberry leaves! Walking in a wood is like being bathed in different glowing lights, luminous and ethereal... your energy seems to change, your senses open and close, you can even feel light headed. The courses in September will be for painting and drawing, colour and the use of natural materials in two dimensional work. We will visit artists in the region and have tours of exhibitions at galleries.

www.wildintelligence.co.uk
Download the course flyer

21-25 August, 2011

Art of Ecology: Transdisciplinary Research in Practice
Merida, Mexico

SER2011 World Conference on Ecological Restoration
Re-establishing the Link between Nature and Culture

SER (Society for Ecological Restoration) is an important and authoritative scientific organisation concerned with environmental remediation in many countries. It has, previously, held three 'World Conferences', two of which had sessions on ecological art (Liverpool, 2000 and Zaragoza, 2005).
The SER World Conferences offer an opportunity to meet with some of the world’s top ecological scientists and activists from diverse cultures.This Symposium seeks presentations that pursue the following concept: ‘The Art of Ecology: Transdisciplinary Research In Practice’.

Abstracts, indicating the title of the symposium, can be submitted here:
http://www.ser2011.org/en/ser2011-scientific-program/call-for-abstracts-posters/

1-6 August, 2011

Lofoten Whale Festival: A meeting of humans and whales: science, music, art and tourism
Henningsvaer, Norway

Latest update: For pictures of the festival click here; for the latest program, click here

A one week gathering celebrating the culture and nature of our cetacean species in the Lofoten waters: pilot whales, killer whales, different dolphins, harbor porpoises, minke whales, fin whales and humpback whales. There will be talks, workshops, special whale-watching tours with scientists, naturalists, artists and musicians to introduce the wide human ways of relating to these mysterious and fascinating animals. A group of internationally-known researchers from many different fields will converge upon Henningsvær in early August to present the facts and mysteries we have discovered about these important ocean creatures. National and International renowned artists will present their work and interact with the whales, people and nature of Lofoten. The goal will be to raise awareness, educate people about the marine ecosystem and its wonderful creatures, embedded in artistic and fun activities!

Actions:
1. Sailing trips to find the whales and play music for them, film interactions, do research
2. Talks, films, presentations about whales and the marine ecosystem at the Ocean Sounds Center
3. Concerts: downstairs at the Ocean Sounds center (or at local coffee shop)
4. Discussion rounds & party: all over town (but mostly in my garden)

Objective:
To celebrate the importance of the cetaceans in arctic Norwegian waters, to educate children and people and to enhance the experience of visitors to Henningsvær and to boost the local tourist economy.
Accommodation: bring your own tent or spend some nights at the hotels, Rorbuer, or hostels in Henningsvaer.

Food: we can arrange for a soup kitchen on the island, otherwise use the variety of restaurants and cafes in Henningsvaer.

Costs & funds: this is a low budget event, so travel, accommodation and food has to be covered by the participants, unless we will get extra funds. If you have an idea where and how to get funding, please do not hesitate to get into action!

There will be cover charges for presentations, films, workshops and boat excursions, the rest of the activities should be free.

Read more
Download flyer on the program

www.ocean-sounds.com/eng/art/art-projects/whale-festival
www.helsinki.fi/~lauhakan/whale/lofoten_whale_festival.html
www.halikonlahti.net
www.tekotuulahdus.blogspot.com
 

3-8 July, 2011

Learning From Leonardo: The Role of the Arts in Overcoming Our Crisis of Perception
Big Sur, California, United States

with Fritjof Capra & Peter Adams

Leonardo da Vinci, the great genius of the Renaissance, developed a unique synthesis of art, science, and technology. In this course, Fritjof Capra and Peter Adams, a scientist and an artist who have both been frequent visitors to Esalen, will discuss Leonardo’s synthesis and its great relevance to the present time. They will argue that, in order to overcome the crisis of perception that lies at the root of the major problems of our time, it will be critical to integrate an artistic dimension into the ecological perspectives of science, philosophy, and spirituality.

Cursive Moon, image by Peter Ward
www.windgrove.com/blog

Workshop participants will be engaged not only intellectually, but also physically and emotionally, in adaptations of Leonardo’s methodology in observations, experiments, and artistic expressions within the Esalen landscape.

www.windgrove.com/blog/esalen-institute-workshop/
 

28 June - 3 July 2011

ARCTIC WATERS
Kilpisjärvi, Arctic Finland

Call for workshop participation in Kilpisjärvi



Organizer: Ars Bioarctica / Finnish Bioart Society

Arctic Waters is a workshop on nature, research and art. From a scientific perspective it investigates sub Arctic water ecosystems, especially phytoplankton and zooplankton. The key questions hereby are why this research is done and in what way monitoring of specifically arctic freshwaters is done. From an artistic perspective the workshop is thought as an introduction to artistic motivated field work in the mountains and laboratory.
Scientific support is given by PhD, Laura Forsström, researcher Environmental Change Research Unit (ECRU) Department of Environmental Sciences of the University of Helsinki. Her main interests of research are related to primary producers* ) and dissolved organic carbon in arctic and subarctic lakes http://www.helsinki.fi/bioscience/ecru/people/laura_f.htm.
For the artistic support the aim is that the participants themselves are supporting each other with skills, knowledge and through discourse. Pre-confirmed contributions:

• Underwater video- and audio-recording, Antti Tenetz

• Introduction into practice-based artistic field- and laboratory-work, Anu Osva

• Environmental art and the local culture-landscape, Leena Valkeapää

• Environmental computing; sensors and real-time data, Erich Berger

• Introduction into issues in art&science, Laura Beloff

Please send your application with CV and a letter of motivation to erich.berger@bioartsociety.fi.
Deadline: 31.3.2011

http://bioartsociety.fi/archives/1807

June, 2011

Study trips to children playgrounds
Copenhagen, Berlin

NORDIC TRIP - Program in Copenhagen/Lund/Malmö: June 16,17,18. (3 days)
BERLIN TRIP - Program in Berlin 2011: June 21, 22, 23, 24. (4 days).
 

PROGRAM
Copenhagen/Lund/Malmö:
Visiting parks, theme parks (Malmö), kindergardens, schoolgrounds, public places.
Berlin:
2 first days in bus (heavy programs) - visiting lots of schoolgrounds, and a few adventure playgrounds.
2 days on bikes (easy/relaxed programs) - visiting parks, public places, kindergardens.
Weekend free with good suggestions, - such as:
A visit to Britzer Garten, Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World), Volkspark Potsdam, Sans Souci and other places.
More information: Frode Svane, Barnas Landskap, Childrens Landscape- Norway, phone: 0047 92669969
e-mail: frode.svane(at)gmail.com

www.barnaslandskap.blogspot.com

17-19 June, 2011

Aesthetics of Human Spaces: Between Urban and Nature
 Lahti, Finland

The IXth IIAA International Summer Conference on Environmental Aesthetics

The International Institute of Applied Aesthetics (IIAA) will arrange the IXth IIAA International Summer Conference on Environmental Aesthetics in Lahti, Finland, 17.6.–19.6.2011. The theme of the conference is “Aesthetics of Human Spaces: Between Urban and Nature.”

The concept of space has become one of the most important instruments for investigating the constitutive factors involved in building human relationship to the surroundings. Recent research in different fields has revealed various dimensions of the concept and different viewpoints from which it can be addressed. The concept of space helps direct attention to the human, felt dimension not only of natural environments, but of urban environments as well. The concept of space is also an importantly aesthetic one, as it is connected to critical issues in contemporary aesthetics. For example, focus in aesthetics on the corporeal side of human existence has provoked new questions and may provide new insights about the aesthetic experience of human spaces: What kinds of role do the senses play in our experience of spaces? Are the different senses involved in the experience of space in equal interaction with one another, or are one or more senses in some way primary or even foundational?
One important way of approaching human spaces is to make a distinction between private and public space. Some spaces could be called “hybrid spaces,” including aspects from different kinds of spaces. What are the differences between the aesthetics of the different forms of space? What sort of a role does the experience of spaces play in human life as a whole?
A diversified approach to research into the variants of spaces, including the role different spaces play in human existence by e.g. contributing to well-being, can help in finding ways of creating more meaningful spaces and might aid those in positions of power to make informed decisions about public spaces that better satisfy the needs of human life.
People interested in exploring these issues are asked to send an abstract of no more than 300 words to iiaa-info[at]helsinki.fi. Deadline for abstracts is 28.2.2011. The time allotted to each paper is 40 minutes (30 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for discussion).

Keynote speakers:
Isis Brook (Writtle College, UK)
Andrew Ballantyne (University of Newcastle, UK)
Martin Seel (Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Germany)
Contact person: Kalle Puolakka, kalle.puolakka[at]helsinki.fi

www.helsinki.fi/ksei/tapahtumat/index.htm

Summer 2011

Wild Intelligence environmental creativity courses
Lapland, Finland

Wild Intelligence is an exciting new approach to outdoor learning and environmental awareness through creativity. Through workshops and courses in nature it offers experiences that raise the value of experiencing wilderness as a multi-dimensional intelligence with the potential to change lives, to educate at all levels, to heal and inspire.
Wild Intelligence is offering unique and inspirational environmental creativity courses for the summer of 2011 in the Arctic Circle. This is a magical wilderness landscape, vast and overwhelming and to create paintings, ceramics, land art, or work in other media here is unforgettable.

The two courses in May and September in Lapland are a chance to respond to experiences of wilderness that combine the development of sensory awareness and immersion in the landscape, with the perspective of a deep rooted indigenous culture. We will be in an environment that has immense presence, and our quest is to find ways to express its place in our lives, and our lives in its presence.

"Earth"
21-28 May & 29 May - 4 June, 2011

In May, the spring period begins with the last snow of the winter still on the hills, cascading, swelling rivers and nature coming to life, with daylight hours increasing by the day and dramatic changes taking place in the scenery. Wildlife is all around and encounters with many bird species, such as Three-toed Woodpecker, Waxwing, Pied Flycatcher and Siberian Jay are not uncommon. An abundance of other arctic animals are also in evidence – reindeer, red squirrels and the arctic hare all inhabit the area surrounding our accommodation.
In this course the quest will be to explore the landscape through its materials, and we will also look for inspiration to the ancient 6,000 year old Pit-Comb culture. We will also visit the wood sculpture collections at Kemijärvi and visit local crafts people.

May / June, 2011

art aspects – seminars 2011
Spanish island of Lanzarote

SOUNDS OF THE SURROUND & MIND FIELDS

New EU funded arts and educational seminars for further education on the Spanish island of Lanzarote. Following the successful completion of our seminars this year, art aspects has been organising the following courses in May/ June 2011:

SOUNDS OF THE SURROUND - encounters with nature and tradition through art
In both nature and the modern city, complex interactions create the rich, textured possibilities of life. However we must also balance and re-view our human relations and our relationship with nature. Sounds of the Surround reflects the idea that collaboration and exchange must be at the heart of Europe’s progress towards greater harmony with nature and our collective histories.

MIND Fields - working with all senses
The importance of an artistic education lies in its ability to develop visual intelligence and creativity. By reshaping a simple exercise and loading it with formative, creative and artistic value we can encourage others and nurture a talent into growth.

Our courses receive the support of the European Community through the Life-Long Learning mobility programmes Grundvig and Comenius, allowing participants to benefit from the opportunities provided.

www.art-aspects.de/en/projects/seminare.html

23-25 May 2011

Challenging (Un)certainties - the future of education and sustainability
Uppsala, Sweden

Cemus/CSD Uppsala welcomes you to the second annual conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

How can higher education help us meet the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow? What are the key issues to adress in and across diciplines? What roles can and should students have in the organisation of education and it's implementation?

Keynotes, panelists and workshop facilitators include:
Richard Douthwaite - Economist and co-counder of FEASTA (the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability);
Gigi Ibrahim - Egyptian citizen journalist and political activist. Featured in "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart", "Time Magazine" and several shows on Al Jazeera English;
Danny Chivers - Carbon footprint analyst, writer and performance artist;
Lena Sommestad - Professor in Economic History and Former Minster for the Environment.

The conference is free (excl. conference dinner) and you can register by emailing:
Sara.andersson@csduppsala.uu.se. Register before May 16!

www.challenginguncertainties.se

4 Feb. – 29 May, 2011

ECO–ART exhibition
Pori, Finland

Jan-Erik Andersson, Brandon Ballengée, Ciel Bergman, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Joyce Cutler-Shaw,
Agnes Denes, Chris Drury, Michael Flomen, Andy Goldsworthy, Helen and Newton Harrison, Ichi Ikeda,
Richard Misrach, Nils-Udo, Dennis Oppenheim, Robert Smithson, Alan Sonfist
Guest Curators: John K. Grande (Canada) and Peter Selz (USA)
Curator: Pia Hovi-Assad

The Eco-Art exhibition starts the 30th anniversary year of Pori Art Museum. It represents legendary American pioneers in Land and Environmental Art, and contemporary artists from USA, Canada, Japan and Europe. Many of these artists are showing their works for the first time in Finland. Eco-Art comprise of photographic prints, drawings, videos, installations and wall paintings. Most of the photographic prints have been produced locally to enable a reduced carbon footprint for the exhibition.

As the landscape and environment change on our planet for a number of reasons, artists’ engagement with these issues increasingly moves from a theoretical and conceptual bias to direct action and process-oriented art, or alternatively an art that involved landscape integration as part of its vernacular. The discourse on art and ecology has become important. Eco-Art reinforces a new vision of art through the various artists’ presentations, an alternative to economies of scale more like art in scale with nature, and ecological systems.

As we can see from the beginnings of Earth and Land Art, this art form is evolving. Increasingly ephemeral earth art attracts a truly global and inter-cultural participation.
The Pori Art Museum has a long history of exhibitions and events that reveal a strong commitment to the art/nature dialogue. Eco-Art is an effective show for its renders available to audiences the works of artists
from far away, and we can see the themes, the approaches, the interests all lead us back to nature, along a trail that history and time can forget, but only briefly. Similar triggers and cues inspired even the early
modernist artists of the 20th century, but the economic vision was one of unassailable growth and
exploitation of resources. The economies we have built out of the natural world, and its correspondent
tautology of progress, are still reliant on resources just as they have always been. The dilemmas of
contemporary criticism are, in part the result of a failure to identify with the holistic basis of art, not only
in a visual, symbolic or conceptual way, but more importantly, in realizing that nature is the art of which
we are a part.
In co-operation with: Royal Botanical Gardens (Canada), Galerie Lelong (USA), Electronic Arts Intermix
(USA).

More information: Pia Hovi-Assad, exhibition curator, tel. +358-02-621 1089, or +358-044-7011089
pia.hovi-assad@pori.fi

www.poriartmuseum.fi

Master's degree in Applied Visuals Arts
Rovaniemi, Finland

The application period is extended: It is possible to Apply by 19 May 2011

Visual arts and cultural productions have become an integral part of the tourism-related experience industry. On the one hand, this requires new skills from the artists, and on the other, it offers an inviting setting for developing and enhancing the ways of creating art. The program aims to integrate artistic skills as well as practise-based and scientific knowledge to create ecologically and ethically sound experience environments, services, and art productions that are based on the cultural heritage and traditions of the area and its people. The studies include project-based collaboration with cultural institutions and tourism companies in Lapland and the Barents region.
The Master’s Degree in Applied Visual Arts is a two-year program. The graduates will obtain the Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree. The programme is organized jointly by the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland and Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences as part of the Insitute for Northern Culture. The studies take place in Rovaniemi and in Tornio, Finland.
The programme consists of studies in Applied Visual Arts (85 cr.) and minor subject studies (35 cr.). The studies in Applied Visual Arts include environmental art, community art, project studies, and research. The minor subject studies include design studies (20 cr.) and optional studies (15 cr.) in six alternative fields: environmental design, entrepreneurship, tourism research, environmental studies, cultural industries, and Arctic studies.

More information about the program:
http://www.ulapland.fi/appliedvisual

20-22 April, 2011

Staging Sustainability
Toronto, Canada

How can we produce art that reflects, celebrates, critiques and advances the cultural life of our community without contributing to the destruction of the setting that inspires these artistic endeavours?
The Faculty of Fine Arts at York University (Toronto - Canada) invites proposals for papers for Staging Sustainability: Arts, Community, Culture, Environment, a conference taking place April 20-22, 2011.
The conference will provide an opportunity for artists and those who support the arts in a myriad of ways – from scholars, critics, producers and designers to policy-makers, industry and government – to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue about issues associated with the creation of environmentally sustainable arts practice and performance.
The conference committee welcomes proposals for papers that consider the relationship between the cultural and ecological aspects of sustainability in the arts, and may encompass aspects of subjectivity with respect to community and identity.
Please forward a 250-word abstract of your proposal, including your name, affiliation, mailing and email address to:Ina Agastra, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, York University, ffadeanasst@yorku.ca. Submission deadline: September 1, 2010.

www.stagingsustainability.ca

18–29 April 2011

4X4 Dance Body And The Environment
Dundreggan, Scottish Highlands

With Guest Artists: Jennifer Monson, Simon Whitehead and Angus Balbernie

4×4 is an eleven-day event on the theme of dance, body and the environment for dance or movement artists, choreographers and artists working in related art-forms.

“Somewhere in the midst of ‘sustainability’ lies an inspiring vision of transformation. As movement artists we will take our dance and choreographic practice into this territory, developing and deepening our sense of the self within the body, to inspire and engender a vital reconnection between humanity and the planet.”

www.bodysurfscotland.co.uk/bs/home/dance-body-and-the-enviroment

14 April, 2011

Lecture on art, nature and sustainablity
Gävle Konstcentrum, Gävle, Sweden

18-20 pm. Lecture by Jan van Boeckel, on art, nature and sustainability.

www.gavlekonstcentrum.se/content/view/30/85/lang,sv/

10 February-16 April, 2011

Nurturing Nature: Artists Engage the Environment
Bronxville, NY, United States

At OSilas Gallery, Concordia College, with artists Eva Bakkeslett, Vaughn Bell, Susan Benarcik, Michele Brody, Jackie Brookner, Linda Bryne, Xavier Cortada, Sonja Hinrichsen, Basia Irland, William Meyer, Maria Michails, Roy Staab, and Joel Tauber. Co-curated by Amy Lipton and Patricia Miranda.

www.osilasgallery.org/mysitecaddy/site3/events/auto_events.htm?item=8192

14-16 March, 2011

SYMPOSION 2011 - Artistic Research & Contemporary Art
Helsinki, Finland

Organized by Aalto University School of Art and Design/ Department of Art (Helsinki) & Department of Art and Media (Pori)
The objective of the symposion is to adequately articulate the ratio between artistic work in contemporary art (in fine arts, theatre, dance, design and media) and the research work done by contemporary artists in universities. It will come to be proved that artists who are active in art world also develop interest in trying their skills in research work that aims at both systematic knowledge building in artistic action and describing the outcome of such knowledge building. The use of fiction, narrative methods, artistic description, and/or art as an effort to submit the outcome to the critique of peer review and/or academic assessment will emerge from the need to remain in artistic discourse instead of changing, in the middle of the procedure, to an alien context of scientific scrutiny.

The significant issues thus appeared to include:

• feasible solutions to the need of a methodology of artistic research,

• the possible impact of the strategies of contemporary art and thinking into the strategies of artistic research,

• the ambiguous nature of the concept of knowledge in artistic action,

• the translation of emotive, experimental, and inner experience to an articulated outer expression,

• the role of sense experience in artistic research,

• aesthetics, understood as knowledge of sense experience, in artistic research,

• the narrative characteristics of artistic research,

• the role and nature of the written report in projects focused on artistic action,

• the significant differences in artistic research between fine art, dance, theatre, design and media,

• the relationship between art curating and artistic research, and

• the possible impact of artistic research and its institutional frames on the practices of contemporary art.

The symposion will take place in the Helsinki premises of Aalto University, Arabia Campus, Hameentie 135C. It will include presentations of six invited speakers plus posters, workshops and evening program.

http://aaltoarted.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/2nd-announcement-symposion-2011/
 

18 March, 2011

SYMPOSIUM: AGENTS OF CHANGE: Ecological Citizenship and The Art of Changing One's Mind(set)
Oxford, United Kingdom

Friday 18 March 11 - 5 pm, Buckley Building, Oxford Brookes University. Room BG01
A one-day symposium and dialogue process with contributions from 3 leading figures in the field of arts and sustainability

Dr. Arran Stibbe - Ecological Citizenship and the Arts
In this talk Arran will discuss ecological citizenship and its relationship with sustainable development, the transition movement and the Dark Mountain project. He will explore the role of the Arts in helping to break out of a set of social and cultural constructions that have placed humanity on a path to self-destruction and in helping to open up new, previously unimagined paths. He will raise questions of whether it is too late, or impossible, for the trajectory of society to change fast enough to avert ecological collapse of some kind, and the consequences for how we see our work.

Dr. Hildegard Kurt - What has sustainability got to do with an expanded understanding of art?
In order to become sustainable, we need a viable understanding of the human being: an understanding which is strong, emphatic, but beyond anthropocentrism. The idea that every human being is an artist, based on the expanded concept of art or ‘social sculpture’, offers such a new, viable understanding of the human being. But what does the expanded concept of art mean? Why is it necessary in order to practice truly humane – and thus also ecological – forms of living and working, of economy, of science, of education and of politics? The idea of social sculpture corresponds with the “culture of the inner human being” that the economist and early promoter of sustainability, Ernst F. Schumacher, called for. If this culture is neglected, selfishness, according to Schumacher, remains the dominant power, especially in the economic system.

Peter Gingold - Tipping Point: facilitating collaboration between artists and climate experts
For six years, TippingPoint has been creating dialogue between artists and climate experts of all types, with the aim of creating new projects, collaborations and cross-fertilisations, first in the UK, and more recently internationally. Its activities have given and continue to offer artists and scientists the opportunity to explore the cultural challenges precipitated by climate change and the role of artists in this complex debate. Peter will be talking about what has come out of this programme, and where it is headed next.

All welcome. Free entry. These lectures, seminars, workshops and 1-day symposia are hosted by:
the Social Sculpture Research Unit; the Arts, Culture, Sustainability OBU university-wide forum and ARP - the Arts Practice Research cluster at Oxford Brookes.
 

Winter, spring, summer and autumn, 2011

Mustarinda residency
Paljakka Nature Reserve, Finland

The last Finnish forest areas that can be found in their natural state are located in the Paljakka Nature Reserve in the Kainuu region, and the surrounding research forests. Satellite photos and the terrain clearly show how the abstract formal ideals of human culture are replacing the original organic structures of the planet and the ecosystem at a devastating pace.  Let the unpredictable forms of the forests surrounding Mustarinda influence the art created at the Centre.
Located in Hyrynsalmi (Kainuu province, Finland), Mustarinda-residency offers rooms for artists and researchers of varying fields. Available for rent are three artist studios and additionally three rooms suitable for researchers/ writers.
Mustarinda is situated on the second highest summit in Kainuu, adjacent to the north-east edge of the Paljakka nature reserve. The surrounding view is of valuable, and in some places, completely natural old-growth forests. Paljakka and Mustarinda are also some of Finland’s snowiest areas. Mustarinda is the only inhabitated house on the summit.



Residency periods range from two weeks up to three months. The applicant may apply for a specific space depending on their needs and working methods. Depending on the timing, families can be accommodated by the larger bedrooms or two separate rooms.
The Mustarinda-residency application is informal. It should include a preliminary work plan (1-2 pages) and 2-5 images. There are two application deadlines per year, the upcoming deadlines are December 15th 2010 (applying for the periods of winter, spring and summer 2011) and April 31st 2011 (applying for the periods of autumn and winter 2011). Outside these deadlines availabilities may requested by e-mail.
Workspaces are available with the basic tools for working with wood. The rooms have large windows, proper lighting and mechanical ventilation. A digital SLR camera is available for loan. The building has wireless internet access.

Mustarinda Society preserves natural and cultural diversity by bringing together art, science and society to life via discussions, seminars, exhibitions and events. The Mustarinda-building is powered pollution-free via geothermal and wind power. We stress eco-friendly solutions in all areas of our operations. For more information about the Mustarinda residency and exchange center, as well as Mustarinda Society activities, visit www.mustarinda.fi.

Applications may be sent to the e-mail address: info(at)mustarinda.fi
 

10-11 March, 2011

The Culture of Climate Change
New York, NY, United States

The 10th Annual Nature Ecology Society Colloquium at the CUNY Graduate Center, hosted by the Environmental Psychology PhD Program

Sustainability, Environmentalism, Ecology, Conservation, Environmental Justice, and Green Everything! The terms swirl interchangeably around one another to challenge and cope with “Climate Change”. Specialists try to be more disciplined in using these and other such terms, cordoning them off from popular meanings but also separating disciplines and discourses in ways that prevent effective communication. This year’s Nature Ecology Society Colloquium is intended to open up the conversation around climate change and engage its many representations and registers.

We are celebrating our Tenth Year as The City University of New York’s (CUNY) Interdisciplinary Network for researchers, activists and other colleagues whose work is at the intersection of Nature Ecology and Society. This two-day colloquium will bring together CUNY and allied Students, Artists, Activists, Designers, Journalists, Musicians, Performers, Film and Video Makers, Humanities Scholars, and Life, Natural, Physical and Social Scientists to exchange their ideas about climate change.

We seek artwork, presentations, panel and workshop proposals from individuals and groups whose work addresses, visualizes, performs or re-thinks the culture of climate change in novel ways. We welcome border-crossing interdisciplinary proposals on the culture of climate change, including performance and visual art, design, digital media, film, journalism, media culture, participatory methods and technologies, science-writing, visual representations in empirical or social research, and more. Contact us via email if you have any questions (nature@gc.cuny.edu).

http://opencuny.org/nature

“When we find meaning in art, our thinking is most in sync with nature”
A review of An Ecology of Mind, The Gregory Bateson Documentary
by Jan van Boeckel

When we reflect on how environmental education can be innovated to meet the needs and challenges of today’s world, and if we also consider the role that the arts can play in this, we are well-advised to take a closer look at the groundbreaking work of the great thinker Gregory Bateson. The year 2010 saw the release of a highly interesting documentary on his work, entitled An Ecology of Mind. Completed more than thirty years after his death, filmmaker Nora Bateson (Gregory Bateson’s youngest daughter) directed a compelling hour-long introduction to the world of this thinking. Gregory Bateson was one of the most original thinkers of the late twentieth century. His research covered a vast array of different fields: anthropology, biology, psychology, and philosophy of science.

He would often move himself across the boundaries of disciplines, and do so in highly innovative ways.Until now his work has been largely inaccessible to those outside of the academic community. With An Ecology of Mind, this is soon bound to change.

Read the full review         Download the review as PDF

www.anecologyofmind.com

25-26 February, 2011

Inspiring Change Towards a Green Economy
Freiburg, Germany

Part of the event is a five hour long environmental art workshop that will be facilitated by Jan van Boeckel.

www.megforum.uni-freiburg.de/

Ars Bioarctica art&science residency
Kilpisjärvi Biological Station, sub-Arctic Lapland

The application deadline is 28th of February 2011

Ars Bioarctica is long term art and science initiative by the Finnish Bioart Society. Since 2010 it is organizing an artist-in-residency program together with the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station of the University of Helsinki in the sub-Arctic Lapland.

The residency has an emphasis on the Arctic environment and art and science collaboration. It is is open for artists and art&science research teams. Amongst the first residents have been Andrea Polli (US), Helene von Oldenburg (DE), Claudia Reiche (DE), Raquel Renno (BR), Anu Osva (FI) and Sini Haapalinna (FI).

The residency takes place in the facilities of the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station. The Kiekula-house provides the residents with a combined living and working environment, kitchen, bathroom, sauna and internet connection. The Kilpisjärvi Biological Station offers to the visiting artists the same possibilities and infrastructure as its scientists and staff. This includes access to all scientific equipment, laboratory facilities, the library and seminar room as well as the usage of field equipment. A dedicated contact person in Kilpisjärvi will familiarize residents with the local environment and customs.
The basic costs of a residency period include: Travel to Finland, travel within Finland to Kilpisjärvi, accommodation, meals and sauna. There is a possibility to cook in a common kitchen or to eat in the canteen of the station. The Bioart Society will assist with the funding process.
Applications have to include a work proposal, a working plan with time schedule, the desired residency outcome, a list of necessities for the work to be carried out and the artists CV.

The evaluation of the applications emphasizes the quality of the proposal, its interaction of art&science, its artistic and scientific significance, the projects relation to the thematic focus of Ars Bioarctica and its feasibility to be carried out at the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station in the given time.

For applications or questions contact Erich Berger:
erich[dot]berger[at]bioartsociety[dot]fi

More info:
http://bioartsociety.fi/3
http://www.bioartsociety.fi/residency/
http://www.helsinki.fi/kilpis/english/index.htm

Call for artists: The 1st International Eco-Artists' Residency
Israel

The first international artist residency in the world which specializes in ecological art has opened. The Photography & Eco-art Centre includes a charming and relaxing artist residency which allows the artist to relax/create, explore in a homely environment.
To apply for the residency please send us, the eco-art center, information about you and your artistic achievements. Please fill in, what would you like to do while you are here according to priority:

- Receive eco-art workshops, and/ or an environmental photography workshop, and/or ceramic workshop, or work in a welding and wood studio* ( only for experienced artists)?
- Register for the Eco-art course
- Walks and hikes, create new artwork ( please describe )
- Make your research for a new artwork based on the ecosystem near the residency?
- Volunteer in studio office, in the garden?
- Make contacts with local artists? Receive environmental consultant for a new artwork?
- Studying at the eco-art studio, archive and professional library
- Other?



Please indicate preferred dates and length for residency.
Costs: The artist is encouraged to apply for a grant in his/her own country/university/community.
We can send a letter of invitation to the selected artists. Please send request for costs of stay.
The Eco-art Residency is making a huge effort to find grants for needed guests, and is looking for funding.
To support the residency please call- 972-2-9912101 or write to: eco.art.center(at)gmail.com.

For more details: www.eco-art.co.il/eco-art-artistres.asp?CL=ENG
 

2011

Curated Expedition to the Baltic Sea
Turku, Finland & Baltic Sea