The Art & Ecology cluster focuses on the intricate relationships between art, ecology and science. It wishes to create collaborations and synergies between the creativity and insights of artists and scientists from an interdisciplinary approach. The Art & Ecology cluster aims to develop active strategies to foster ecological awareness, create positive change, and physically transform ecologies.
ST_ART's Art & Ecology cluster is closely linked to the Art & Ecology research group within the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, while also building bridges to the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, Sint Lucas Antwerp and the University of Antwerp. On the one hand, it aims to support pioneering, substantive in-depth research within the group's domain - especially in the area of “ecoventions”: artist-initiated projects that develop innovative strategies to physically transform sites and other ecological biotopes degraded by human influence into better situations. Within this context, it hopes to develop a consistent substantive program of education, lectures, and publications around art and ecology to showcase the great multiplicity and thematic variety of Eco-art, canonize relatively unknown artists, and help to write the history of an artistic discipline that has hitherto barely been charted. With these spearheads, the group wishes to position itself as a laboratory for critical, interdisciplinary research into sustainable alternatives for the future, merging artistic and scientific modes of knowledge production with other areas of research.
Ecological art constitutes a highly pluralistic artistic discipline that has been around for decades, but for a long time remained relatively invisible and on the margins of more dominant art movements. At the beginning of the new millennium, the movement seems to have rapidly gained renewed momentum, visibility and a (young) following. Among the numerous topics addressed within eco-art are the representation of ‘nature’, sustainability, the Anthropocene, biodiversity, climate change, species extinction and invasions, the finite nature of fossil fuels, colonialism, interspecies contact, food, ecosystem restoration, waste and water management. These are also topics of intense research at the University of Antwerp, offering plenty opportunities for collaboration between art and science.
At the initiative of the Art & Ecology research group of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, an Eco Lab will be created in October 2024. It forms within the academy building on Mutsaardstraat literally and figuratively the place where art and science merge synergistically. On the one hand, it functions as a laboratory, focused on observation and field research. At the same time, the Eco Lab forms a multifunctional space for activities related to the broad field of interests represented by the Art & Ecology research group. For example, the Eco Lab hosts the monthly meetings of the Art & Ecology research group's reading group, in which relevant and urgent articles within the research group's area of expertise are read and discussed. Equally, the Eco Lab will alternately serve as researchers' workshop, think tank, cinema, auditorium for lectures and discussions, space for small exhibitions and the starting point of field trips.
The Art & Ecology cluster of ST_ART operates within the Art & Ecology research group of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, in close collaboration with the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, Sint Lucas Antwerp and the University of Antwerp.
Contact persons for this cluster: Ronny Blust and Roel Arkesteijn
American eco-artist, biologist, and environmental activist Brandon Ballengée performing a lecture and leading an eco art action during his stay in Antwerp as a visiting researching artist at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, March 25-29, 2024
Ongoing projects and research groups
Network event
7 November 2024 - Seminar: 30 million years: art, ecology and sustainability
30 million years: art, ecology and sustainability
09:00-17:00
M HKA, Leuvensestraat 32, 2000 Antwerp
Language: English
Registration is required: info@denieuweopdrachtgevers.be