The project Chronicles from In-Between 495 to 570 nm, initiated by multimedia artist Kasia Molga, starts from the belief that it is important to collect the information and stories that help us preserve the memory of our fading natural environment. As landscapes change and slowly disappear, both from the physical world and from our consciousness (in a process called Landscape Amnesia), we can get lost in the current narrative about biodiversity and the climate crisis. But how do we convey the importance of a natural space to a younger generation that has never seen or felt it?
Marginal Cultural Associationin collaboration with a series of Romanian institutions (Institutul de Biologie Bucharest, National University of Theater and Film “IL Caragiale”) and international institutions (V2_ from the Netherlands or Dark Euphoria from France), develops a theme present in the exhibition Intersecting Realitiescreated within the framework of the Timișoara European Cultural Capital 2023 program. This new stage of the project is dedicated to Romania’s biodiversity and stories from past times about it.
“I’ve always been obsessed with the colors green and blue and that shade between the two, which is very difficult to capture. After researching its history in visual representations, its associated symbolism, as well as its role in the CGI (computer-generated imagery) industry ) and representations of nature within this industry, Chronicles from In-Between 495 to 570 nm became, in a sense, a historical account – from art history – of how Renaissance painters made their paints from copper, then passing through the extractive industry and the fact that this metal, copper, is increasingly needed in the CGI industry and in computer components. And yet, digital content still presents that ideal image of nature, while the natural environment is not perfect , my aim is to recreate this perfectly imperfect nature, from the memories of our elders.”, Kasia Molgaartist.
Bringing together artists, curators, researchers in ecology, botany and the humanities, students and the elderly, Chronicles from In-Between 495-570nm will carry out an interdisciplinary research of the natural landscape in Romania, in decline due to urban development and technological expansion, approaching the theme through the creative prism of visual arts, through the scientific rigor of botany and ecology, as well as through an empathetic perspective, centered around the concept of “landscape amnesia” (amnesia of landscapes). This is a meta-loss of natural diversity, starting from the idea that we can’t really care about something we no longer remember, and the project team will delve into the subject through interviews with elderly people, and these memories of landscapes of the past will be preserved in virtual reality, in the later stages of the project.
“I am delighted to work with Kasia Molga and Marginal for the Romanian stage of the Chronicles from In-Between 495-570 nm project. Already, the first images that Kasia shared about the project in early 2023 made clear the relevance of artistic research and imagined narrative: investigating the paradoxical cycles of technological progress, the digital environment, the extractive industry and the impact on the natural environment as sources of inspiration for cultural activities. For a society that is constantly seeking technological progress and that talks about environmental issues and new forms of cultural expression it is essential that artists ask questions that go hand in hand with societal efforts. Having presented a first work-in-progress selection, with a focus on Romanian plants, at Timișoara 2023, as part of our “Intersecting Realities” exhibition, it is inspiring that we are now able to expand specific stories about places in Romania, together with locals and with researchers from the humanities and even biology.”, Claudia Schnuggcurator.
Chronicles from In-Between 495-570 nm it already started at the end of June with a series of preparatory activities, including visits by artists and curators from the team to the Institute of Biology in Bucharest, as well as seminars with UNATC students in order to launch the practice program. The research and production period of the project will extend until the fall of this year, culminating in a vernissage on November 2 at the Goethe Institut Bucharest, followed by a round table with the extended team, accompanied by discussions with the public, on November 3, at the French Institute in Bucharest. The exhibition will present the artistic output of the research in the form of several original works of painting, sculpture and video / 3D modeling, exploring threats to biodiversity and connections with human activity. The artists and curators will also conduct guided tours, and the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the collaborative experience and how multiple perspectives can harmonize and focus, if the theme is well selected.
Disciplinary and geographical diversity of the project team Chronicles from In-Between 495-570 nm it is the source of the multitude of perspectives and open research directions, giving it at the same time its international character. Coming from UK / Poland, Kasia Molga is the main artistic voice of the project, with substantial experience in multimedia arts and a portfolio consistently dedicated to questioning the impact of technology on our perception of nature and our relationship with more-than-human creatures.
The Austrian curator Claudia Schnugg has dedicated himself throughout his career to artistic projects at the intersection with science, technology and the varied world of organizational cultures. Andrei Tudose is the artistic director of the project, co-founder of the Marginal Cultural Association, cultural manager and curator whose projects are located at the intersection of visual arts, social sciences and technology.
From the Institute of Biology Bucharest, Roxana Nicoara joins the project as a scientific consultant specializing in ecology, species diversity, climate change and nature conservation efforts.
The socio-cultural perspective is outlined by Irina Bobei, interdisciplinary researcher specialized in the plant world, organizer of the “Ecological Perspectives” series of meetings, bringing together people from the academic, literary, artistic and performative spheres. Last but not least, from the National University of Theater and Film “IL Caragiale”, Mirela Vlad coordinates two paid practice positions for students Alina Rusu and Gabi Stoiciu, in order to create 3D animations that will be integrated into the visual output of the project.
“Chronicles from In-Between 495-570nm is a project that involves numerous organizations from more than 4 countries, including Romania. Considering the scope of the project, but also the theme of the artistic research developed by Kasia Molga, I am glad that I managed to bring a interdisciplinary Romanian collective in this initiative, including researchers from the Bucharest Biology Institute, Irina Bobei (cultural researcher), or Alina Rusu and Gabi Stoiciu, UNATC students who, under the coordination of their teacher Mirela Vlad, will work side by side with Kasia for the development of 3D representations of plants in Romania. Thus, we manage to create a synergy between the international art&science scene and the one in Romania, with a strong educational component and to open an applied dialogue about the societal role of art.”, Andrei Tudosedirector artistic.
A very important aspect of the project Chronicles from In-Between 495-570 nm is its inclusive approach, actively involving older people, whose input is often marginalized. This participatory method enriches the dialogue around ecological and cultural conservation, providing a platform for the most diverse voices. The ultimate goal of the project is to deepen understanding of the ecological challenges we face and encourage collective action. Blending scientific rigor and artistic creativity, the project inspires a reconsideration of the impact of our urban and technological expansion on the natural world.
Chronicles from In-Between 495-570 nm is a project co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN).
The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the program may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.
Partners: Bucharest Institute of Biology, UNATC, V2_ Lab for the Unstable Media, Dark Euphoria, The Polish Institute in Bucharest, Goethe Institute, Austrian Cultural Forum Bucharest
Media partners: Leonardo Olats, Radio Romania Cultural, Days and Nights, IQads, Metropolis newspaper, Golan Magazine, Happ.ro
Marginal is a non-profit cultural organization from Romania, which functions as a transdisciplinary collective that aims to support, promote and create bridges between artists and various agents from other fields, with an emphasis on the humanities and the implications of sciences and technologies in social structures -cultural. Under this ideology, Marginal’s aim is to create a collaborative network that brings together fields that are not always associated with art (although they have been interdependent for a very long time / i.e. science and technology) and the public, through a participatory approach, that challenges the current paradigm of the audience-spectator. Marginal facilitates change, creating spaces where people are free to change, through projects and programs oriented towards transdisciplinary research and art production through an approach that is not limited by the environment, addressing the (un)sensitive issues of contemporary society.
Source: www.iqads.ro
