Engaging with Living Materials [A Posthuman and Ecological Perspective]

A 3-sessions workshop on Sept 15, Sept 21 from10h to 13h and Oct 6 in the afternoon.

The participants need to follow the 3 sessions.

This workshops in three sessions introduces participants to the concepts of community engagement and material exploration through a posthuman and ecological lens. It aims to foster an understanding of our environment and materials in a collaborative way, approaching them as alive entities. Participants will learn to analyze and work with their surroundings, engage with various materials in horizontal terms, and develop a small-scale project reflecting their newfound insights. The overall goal of this workshop is to give the participants conceptual tool to understand and work with their surroundings respectfully because they are also alive.

Day 1: Understanding community and context (Sept 15th from 10am-1pm)

What is a community with the non-humans? After a short welcome and introduction session, we will carry out a performance/lecture offering and explaining the main conceptual approaches. Answering the questions of: what is a community between human and non-humans? How do you understand and work with them?

Day 2: Recognising and engaging with “living” materials. (Sept 21st 10am-1pm)

What is materiality? In this session we will understand materials from an ecological and “alive” perspective inviting the participants to explore the local area, collecting sensory data about materials. With the materials gathered, we will ask the participants to make or think about a way of participating with it – making a small artwork.

Ideally the objects or products design/made during this session will be shown as part of the exhibition.

Day 3: Closing circles – giving back to the non-human community. (Oct 6th in the afternoon)

With the help of Osvaldo Padron, we will carry out a “giving back” session/ritual in which the workshop participants will return the materials they gathered and with which they created a small artwork.