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Description
WOODS is an interdisciplinary innovative project supporting contemporary artists and art organizations primarily from the Czech Republic and Norway. The project addresses a current social challenge of the environmental crisis through the intersection of contemporary art, ecology and neuroscience. It explores the potential of art, a discipline based on imagination and creativity, to inspire new perspectives and behaviours that allow for a more interconnected life on Earth.
Developed by Are in partnership with Kunsthall Trondheim and Rost AiR, the project will last two years and take place in the Czech Republic, Norway and online. It will consist of several activities: research, art residences, workshops, lectures, curatorial trips, artwork commissions, symposium, video interviews, a comprehensive reader, documentary film, and online formats. All the activities will be thematically connected and will culminate in July 2023 during the Forest Symposium in Orlické Mountains, co-curated in collaboration with project partners.
The artists will benefit from new artwork commissions, expanding their knowledge and capacity through connections with other artists, scientists and researchers, creating international networking and economic opportunities. These will be achieved by bilateral cultural cooperation between the Czech Republic and Norway leading to a broader audience, new individual and corporate sponsors of contemporary art, and strengthened capacity of cultural organizations.
The project will connect scientists with artists and cultural organizations. Project partners and participants will benefit from an opportunity of creating new curatorial concepts, professional growth, and a newly established sustainable network of art and academic entities which will enable further exchange and economic opportunities.
Summary of project results
The project supported contemporary art and interdisciplinary research, addressing the ecological crisis. It created sustainable networks between artists, scientists, and cultural organizations, fostering collaboration and economic opportunities. It increased access to the arts, promoted new creativity, and inspired the younger generation. Through networking and grassroots support, it contributed to the environmental sustainability of artistic operations.
The project included research, artist residencies, workshops, lectures, curatorial trips, new art commissions, the Forest 2023 symposium, and video interviews. These activities fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between artists, scientists, and researchers. It played a key role in promoting cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and Norway, resulting in new artworks, expanded knowledge, and sustainable networks. By combining scientific research with artistic production, the project strengthened cultural organizations and introduced fresh ideas about the ecological crisis. Residencies and commissions furthered artistic development and international collaboration, increasing access to contemporary art and encouraging new creativity. The project inspired similar initiatives, especially among the younger generation.
The project met all objectives. Through a marquee and solar panels, it supported the Forest community''s activities. A series of five interviews summarized Czech scientists'' neuroplasticity research. The online publication Liminal Animal provided new insights into animal behavior and relationships. The Forest Symposium More-than-Human Curiosity fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists and artists.
The project has contributed to the promotion of contemporary art and interdisciplinary research in response to the ecological crisis. Its long-term contribution has been the creation of sustainable networks between artists, scientists and cultural organisations, enabling further collaboration and economic opportunities.
Summary of bilateral results
A key benefit was the residency opportunities for Czech and Norwegian artists, which led to new artworks, texts, and connections. Rost AiR was invaluable not only for hosting Czech artists, but also for their expertise in the intersection of arts and ecology, and their insightful feedback on Woods'' activities. They shared crucial knowledge on renewable energy and community engagement.Kunsthall Trondheim co-curated the Forest Symposium, bringing in brilliant international speakers. We remain in contact with both partners and look forward to future curatorial collaborations with Kunsthall Trondheim and residency exchanges with Rost AiR. Thanks to connections provided by the partners, Woods was also able to organise several other residencies and events in Norway outside of this project''s scope