Green Thoughts in a Green Shade

A day inspired by the work of 17th century metaphysical poet and early ecological thinker Andrew Marvell who lived in Waterlow Park, considering plant ecologies and sensibilities, and investigating the potential and limits of thoughtful human/non-human cohabitation in the face of impending environmental crisis. The afternoon will be followed by a discussion and dinner at Omved Gardens, a unique urban garden and glasshouse based in Highgate.
2.30pm
How to Name a Tree and See It as a Political Animal – Richard Layzell
A performance lecture by award-winning visual artist and LUX Creative Ecologist in residence Richard Layzell. His ongoing research project The Naming explores the impact of identification and categorisation on our direct experience of the natural world. His work references traditional First Nations beliefs in Canada and Australia and the Deep Ecology of Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess.  This animated presentation shares his recent experience of trees in Waterlow Park and internationally. He lectures at the University of the Arts London and is the author of Enhanced Performance, Cream Pages and The Artist’s Directory.
3.30pm
Phytocentric – Feral Practice
A participatory performance by Feral Practice, thinking humans towards the plants.
This new piece draws on their research into scientific, artistic and more esoteric methods of interspecies communication. Feral Practice works with human and nonhuman beings to create art projects and interdisciplinary events that develop ethical and imaginative relations across species boundaries. Recent projects use moving image, painting, audio and participatory performance. Recent performances and exhibitions include Mycorrhizal Meditation at The Bluecoat 2019, Taipei Biennale 2018, Radical Mycology Conference 2018, Furtherfield Gallery 2017. Plant Hunting 2018 commissioned by Invisible Dust for Whitby. Ask the Wild 2018 at Whitechapel Gallery, Tate St Ives, Turner Contemporary, Whitstable Biennale. Foxing, 2017 at PEER London.
5pm
Kenyan Roses for the Kingdom – Sonya Schönberger
A lecture based on the research on the Kenyan cut flower industry by the current Goethe@LUX artist in residence.
Sonya Schönberger is a Berlin-based artist who combines her studies in social anthropology and experimental media design in her artistic practice. The tracing of historical themes in connection with memories of individual biographies marked by interruptions and shifts is of particular interest to her. Many of her projects have developed out of different archives, either found or created by her. Schönberger works across different media such as photography, theatre, film, installation or audio formats.
The day will end with a discussion and dinner at OmVed Gardens from 6.30pm chaired by writer and editor Filipa Ramos who recently co-curated a durational festival on interspecies consciousness, The Shape of a Circle in the Mind of a Fish (2018-19) for the Serpentine Gallery.
Omved Gardens is an urban garden and Glasshouse where we explore the relationship between the human and the natural environment. The gardens creates a habitat in the city for diverse flora and fauna and examining the interrelationships with people. Food is their starting point: how can the cities of the future be fed whilst enhancing our environment?
For Green Thoughts in a Green Shade Omved Gardens will host a dinner around the topic of the space between humans and their
environment and how we negotiate this relationship, particularly in view of the climate crisis. The menu and the sharing of food will be a reflection of our participation in this space using ingredients that enhance the local diversity of food ingredients, serving each other.
Phytogram Workshops
Green Thoughts in a Green Shade will be followed by a two summer workshops in the LUX garden exploring the organic chemical process of plant-based direct-on-film animation on the 22nd and 23rd July . To learn more about the Phytogram technique and to book your place visit here