Workshop report by: Mamdooh Afdile, Doctoral Student at the Media Lab, Aalto University, Helsinki
Title of workshop: Oslo Fjord Ecologies (View page)
Dates and place of workshop: 21st to 27th of November 2016, ANX exhibition and seminar space, Grünerløkka, Oslo.
Organized by: Professor Kristin Bergaust, Art in Society research group at HiOA, Oslo.

Workshop description:

“Oslo Fjord Ecologies” workshop is part of “RENEWABLE FUTURES – Building New European Creative Alliance and Think Tank”. Renewable Futures is a network and Creative Europe project. The Renewable Futures (RF) project aims to invent new avenues for developments of tomorrow – in culture and creative sector on the European level. Project partners in RF are: Baltan Laboratories (The Netherlands), Ars Longa (France), HOGSKOLEN I OSLO OG AKERSHUS (Norway), Media Lab / Aalto University (Finland), Hangar (Spain), Liepaja University (Latvia).

“Oslo Fjord Ecologies” workshop is built around participating presenters from the art and education field. Participants working together on shared themes where organized in to clusters. The workshop program included, Art education, Artistic research and the everyday action and agency of art. In addition, exhibitions, artist talk and practical workshops took place (see program).

Participation in the workshop:

During the one week workshop, I attended all the presentations, and was an active part of the artistic discussions in regards to the role and effectiveness of future art and art education to the ecological wellbeing of society. The role of art in society was a focus topic in the workshop that was discussed from different perspectives; with the artist role as an observer, educator and an active agent.

Contribution to the workshop:

During the workshop, I gave two presentations as part of the Art-education cluster.

My first presentation was “Teaching art to understand the brain and studying the brain to empower art” (20 min). Here I discussed the potential of using art as a means to contribute to understanding science, as well as the experience of integrating scientific knowledge in my artistic work.

My second presentation was “How do you like me know? – Using movies to unmask the biased brain” (20 min).  Here I presented the results of the first paper of my Doctoral studies, the research question as well as the future direction of using scientific methodology in art research.

Contribution of the workshop to my studies:

The workshop was a great opportunity for me to network and take part of the current debate on the role of art in society. It was an enriching experience where I had the chance to be exposed to different artistic perspectives and approaches related to my topic of interest. I believe such international workshops are an essential initiative to bring together a variety of artists and educators to engage in a multi-disciplinary discourse.

“Listening to the fjord”. Hydrophonic listening with Siri Austeen and others:

Find the reports on the Apprenticeships here:

Oslo Fjord Ecologies Workshop report
by Mamdooh Afdile, Doctoral Student at the Media Lab, Aalto University, Helsinki

Oslo Fjord Ecologies Workshop 21st to 27th of November 2016
Art in Society, HiOA, Oslo, Norway

Art and research project on cultural and biological sustainability of the sea.

The Oslo Fjord encompasses ecological connections and challenges that are specific and tangible, as well as cultural practices and interactions with the environment and its populations.

The Oslo Fjord is nature, economy, infrastructure, biology, materiality, culture and history as well as future plans and challenges.

How can new concepts of knowledge, artistic methods and interdisciplinary engagement contribute to formulate sustainable relationships to the environment?

The workshop was organized in three main clusters or spinners of themes, interests and questions:

• (art)education
• artistic research
• the everyday: agency and action

• Ecologies: diverse perspectives on ecology
• Ecology in educational contexts
• Ecology in practical contexts

Hybrid Lab 1 Programme:

The program Friday 25th, Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th is co-funded by Hybrid Labs, a Nordplus horizontal project. Oslo Fjord Ecologies is developed and organized by Kristin Bergaust on supported by Art in Society Research Group, HiOA, in Oslo, Norway.

Friday 25th November 2016:
The everyday – Action and agency from 10-18 

10-11.30 Voice workshop with Tony Valberg
11.30-12.30 Stabekk husmorskole by Martin and Henning, independent activists
13-14 Flatbread Society presented by Mads Pålsrud, designer at GrowLab
14 Gentle actions and resilience by curator and artist Eva Bakkeslet
Langøyene – Free Camping by curator and artist Cathrine Constanse Gjelsnes
Filmscreenings
Mingling/Drinks

Saturday 26th November 2016
City-walk to the fjord

14 Kafé Barbara, artists Gunnhild Bakke Annabeth Kolstø
Walking tour performance
From ANX to Losætra
Flatbread Society Bakehouse

Sunday 27th November 2016, from 13-18

15 Bio-art performance Hege Tapio (IOlab)
Exhibitions/documentations

See the full Programme of Oslo Fjord Ecologies Workshop.

See the report on “Hybrid Lab 1: Oslo Fjord Ecologies”.

See the Creative Apprenticeship report from Oslo Fjord Ecologies by Mamdooh Afadila.

Photographs from Oslo Fjord Ecologies: