Working with socio-ecological artist Kerry Morrison as a critical friend, weâll be hearing from writer, scholar, lawyer and social justice activist Radha DâSouza, artist and researcher Youngsook Choi and writer, curator, and arts organiser Wendi Sia. 'Their work will provide us with the provocation to:
âgo beyond âotheringâ nature and reimagining a reciprocal relationship with itâ
Conversations will be facilitated by local and national artists whose work explores climate crises, local and indigenous ecologies and slow, interspecies practices. They include Sean Roy Parker, Frances Disley, Grace Collins, Taey Iohe, Liz Posthlethwaite, Lucy Powell and Fiona Whelan.
Main image credit: Radka Dolinska
Overview
Humanityâs exploitation of the planetâs resources affects us all. Yet - in communities across the world - it is those of us who have contributed least to the climate crises who are being impacted most severely.
Part of the day will be spent outdoors at Court Hey Park, with workshop sessions taking place in event spaces across the site. As always, With For About (WFA) is a space of exchange, with plenty of time for reflection and exploring how contributions through the day relate to our own work and contexts. Weâll be adopting the values of Listening Circles informed by our Safer Space Agreement. Listening Circles are about creating spaces for dialogue - on exploring and learning together - not on getting things done or completing an agenda.
A note on content
Some of what will be discussed at this year's gathering may be overwhelming or bring up feelings of eco-anxiety and ecological grief. There will be mechanisms to hold this space as carefully as possible, as well as signposting to mental health and wellbeing services, learning resources and opportunities for us to connect post-event.
Who is it for?
With For About is for artists, activists, educators and anyone involved in socially engaged and collaborative arts practice. We will build on what we have learned during previous iterations of WFA. Read about previous WFA events.
What to expect
With For About: Care and the Commons is a one-day event. Please note that we encourage people to arrive from 9.30am, for a prompt start at 10am.
Our venue is a community allotment in a park. Youâll need to bring suitable clothing for spending the whole day outside i.e. substantial footwear, layers, waterproof jacket etc.
This is our alternative take on a conference. Much of it will happen outside whatever the weather! There will be some warm, dry spaces to escape to if necessary.
Workshops
For With For About, artists will lead led workshops for attendees to delve into. When registering for this event, you'll be asked to choose from one of five workshops happening during the day. The workshops are:
- Undergrowth Cursive; a creative writing workshop with Sean Roy Parker
- All Paths Lead From Here; Thinking about creating regenerative cultures with Liz Postlethwaite
- Eat your verb: languaging around climate justice; a workshop generating critical insights to language used during WFA vol.6 with Taey Iohe
- Active Receivers; a workshop with a community of trees at Court Hey Park with Frances Disley (this workshop will take place outdoors)
- Experiments in Rewilding the Mind; A workshop exploring cognitive activism and vegetal beings with Lucy Powell (this workshop will take place outdoors)
Free
