Seminar 30 Million years: art, ecology and sustainability
On November 7, 2024 the seminar 30 Million years: art, ecology and sustainability took place at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Antwerp. With the Green Art Commission Toolkit as starting point, the event tried to answer questions like how contemporary artworks, commissioned by people for their community, remain meaningful and increase their durability, and how art production sites change their materials and habits to meet the challenges of sustainability.
After a word of welcome by museum director Bart de Baere, and an introduction to the ALILASUS project by Thérèse Legierse, director of de Nieuwe opdrachtgevers, Pascal Gielen took the floor before a full auditorium. During his lecture, Gielen illuminated the paradox of the cultural sector, starting from the practice of artists that are concerned about their ecological impact. Roel Arkesteijn was next with an intervention that focused on ecological artists and how they address ecological problems and suggest solutions through their practice. Arkesteijn gave a thorough but compact overview of ecological artists, and how their position within art history.
After a short break, Nicola Setari addressed the impermanence of cultural products and the meaning of art for individuals and communities, and how the meaning is transmitted from the present to the past and the future. The morning program ended with a Q&A with the three speakers, prompting the audience to ask questions and start a conversation.
During lunch, copies of the Green Art Commission Toolkit were distributed on different tables, giving participants the chance and opportunity to learn more about the Toolkit, its structure, questions, and main objectives. Some even asked to take one to play with colleagues or fellow parties.
The afternoon program started with a lecture by professor Nathalie Blanc. She highlighted the ecological consciousness of artists, and the materials they use within movements of land art and ecological art. This day ended with two talks: one by Nathalie Blanc and one by Thérèse Legierse. While Blanc elaborated on artistic freedom and limitations due to ecological consciousness, Legierse focused on realizing art commissions within landscape and green environments in a green and sustainable way.