ESSENTIAL READING
Discover the inspirational projects that led to the creation of Under the Maypole of a Bowerbird
THE MARGINALIAN
Founded in 2006 by reader and writer, Maria Popova, Marginalian (formly known as Brainpickings) is a web archive that started as Maria Popova's own exploration into her personal growth and meaning. Through intensive research across literature, art, science and philosophy, Maria Popova has created an online archive that is incredibly useful for all. Brainpickings is a very useful site for researching books, as well as being a very enjoyable source for learning.
THE SHAPE OF A CIRCLE IN THE MIND OF A FISH
As part of a new and revolutionary role of having a general ecologist as part of the curatorial team, the Serpentine launched a long, durational symposium and research project that took place over eighteen months. In collaboration with London Zoo (ZSL), taking place in the zoo itself was a gathering of thinkers and creatives exploring the boundaries between human, non-human animal, vegetal, mineral, mycellar and artificial consciousness and intelligence.
PROJECTS FOR INSPIRATION
Current and past projects that combine environmental science and the arts
Julie’s Bicycle is a London based charity that supports the creative community to transform the conversation on climate change and translate it into action. They provide a creative community to work together and reach a wider audience, as well as running a programme of events, free resources and public speaking engagements.
REIMAGINING MUSEUMS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
With museums being an important place of research, education, and motivation, museums are in an ideal position to play a critical role in transforming the norm of including sustainability and environmentalism in all aspects of society. This was an international design competition inviting creatives of all mediums to speculatively rethink museums as a radical form of climate action, contributing to an exhibition that was held at Glasgow Science Centre ahead of and during COP26.
CARNABY X PROJECT ZERO
In 2019, Carnaby Street collaborated with the ocean conservation charity, Project Zero, for a Christmas installation. Carnaby Street was transformed into an immersive theatrical underwater scene, with each street representing an area of the ocean in need of conservation. The impressive installation was created using repurposed materials and powered by 100% renewable energy.
Phytology is a London based cultural institute taking place in the Bethnal Green Nature Reserve in Tower Hamlets.
They host an annual residency for researchers working across the arts, combining scientific study with the arts, architecture, and humanities. Their public programme actively engages with the environmental and social complexities of the surrounding urban landscape. They also have a useful plant identification page on the site.
Although public institutions have spent time and making a significant change to reduce their carbon footprint and control waste, there seemed to be a lack of equivalent initiatives in the commercial sector. From this concern, the GCC was created, a website designed to provide tools, strategies, and research required to help make a positive change.
Stour Valley Arts commission artists to showcase their work within King’s Wood (Kent), a 1500-acre forest, classified as ancient woodland and designated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Through partnering with artists and art organisations, as well as scientists, health professionals, and environmental organisations, creating an incredibly diverse and open approach to raising environmental awareness by involving artists into the discussions of habitat management and woodland stewardship.
Based in South London, only an 8 minutes walk from the Shard, is a small old burial ground with an incredibly fascinating history. After the burial ground was disturbed during the Jubilee Line construction in the 1990s came a campaign to protect the burial ground from further damage. Crossbones successfully granted protections by TFL, since 2015 Crossbones collaborate with the Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) to maintain a community Garden where many events and activities take place in remembrance of those who have passed.
After experiencing a sense of dread and worry from seeing how polluted rivers and oceans have become from plastic waste, two dedicated friends worked together to start "plogging", an intensive litter pic collecting rubbish from sites within London. The team of ploggers soon grew from 2 to 16 people, who collected over 30 bags of rubbish from Putney Bridge and walking towards Hammersmith. Plogolution now holds large scale events throughout London and the whole of the UK, not only does it become a day where the community can come together, it further protects wildlife and habitats from pollution.
Future Ecologies is a podcast that allows you to explore and think deeper about our relationship between, within, amongst, and all around us.
Made for audiophiles and nature lovers alike, every episode is an invitation to see your world in a new light. With original music & immersive soundscapes, and weaving together interviews with expert knowledge holders combining ecology with audio art.
Founded in 2002 by Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza in Vienna, Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, TBA21 collection is the result of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to commissioning and disseminating multidisciplinary art projects that defy traditional categorization, including large scale installations, sound compositions, endurance performances, and contemporary architecture.
WEAD provide information regarding the ecoart and social justice art fields to artists, curators, writers, art and public art administrators, educators in art and ecology, cross-disciplinary professionals and others.
The goal of the Land Art Generator is to accelerate the transition to post-carbon economies by providing models of renewable energy infrastructure that add value to public space, inspire, and educate—while providing equitable power to homes around the world.
OPPORTUNITIES
Useful job boards and open calls (for all opportunities in the arts)
