Comob Net and Comob

An exciting new exhibition is launching at Dundee Contemporary Arts’ Visual Research Centre on Friday 15th January and running until 30th January.

The Designing Environments for Life exhibition provides evidence, traces, of an exploration in 2009 between anthropologists, artists and designers in rethinking the concept of ‘environment’.  Their exploration sought to situate the experience of living in the world with the systems and processes that shape it.  The result was a demand for ‘open-ended design’ with a focus on improvisations rather than prefigured solutions.

The exhibition features traces, or records, of work by artists, anthropologists and designers who are pushing the boundaries of sustainability action and advocacy.  Through active engagement with the natural environment and its inhabitants, they draw attention to ingrained practices and attitudes that must change before a paradigm shift towards ‘living in harmony with our environment(s)’ can occur.

A programme of workshops and readings are planned as part of the exhibition and will start from the gallery space, Centrespace, VRC, Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, DD1 4DY, unless indicated otherwise.  The events are as follows

-         With Words and Wood: A Poetry Workshop with Alison Phipps. Sunday 17 January 1-3pm.

-         Making New Worlds: Policy and Academia. A public lecture by Jan Bebbington. Friday 22 January 6pm, DCA Meeting Room. Followed by wine reception.

-         Comob: Citizen cartography with GPS with Jen Southern and Chris Speed Saturday 23rd January 1-4pm

-         Dens, Shelters and Nests: A Small-Scale Willow Workshop with Stephanie Bunn Sunday 24th January 1-5pm (drop in)

An informal opening, with drinks, will be held on 15th January at 8pm in Centrespace. The official wine reception for the exhibition will follow the public lecture on the 22nd. All are welcome to both.

In October 2009, collaborators shared key inspirations with each other through a collection of Readings.  These ranged from poems to prose, some funny, some sad, all interesting.  A copy of the Readings will be available at the Exhibition and to make the Readings come alive, people will be performing them at the DCA over the 2 weeks of the exhibition (drop in).

All events are free and open to all but most have limited places, so if you would like to attend, please book a place at: designingenvironmentsforlife@googlemail.com

Filed under: workshops by jen