Constellations for Futures

Stories on Ecology, Kinship and Sciences

With the participation of Chanelle Adams, Ursula Biemann, Jennifer Gabrys, Mira Hirtz, Katharina Hoppe, Fallon Mayanja, Ben Rivers, Adam Searle and Jonathon Turnbull, Swoosh Lieu, and Diana Toucedo.

Events took place in person at La Loge (Brussels, upon reservation) and were broadcasted via live streaming (in free access, without reservation).

Goethe-Institut Brussels and La Loge presented Constellations for futures, a three-day discursive programme of lectures, film screenings, and artistic performances at the intersection of ecology, community, and science.

This multidisciplinary programme—which interweaved science and fictional narratives, real and speculative facts—questioned the meaning and consequences of current crises in order to examine inequalities and to think differently about relations between humans and non-humans. Researchers and invited artists examined the viability and impact of scientific and technological experiments on the environment which has been shaped by a history of domination as well as by economic and social realities. The hypotheses presented in the varying practices drew up new constellations and spaces for listening to and for sharing current thoughts, all in favour of new kinships, alliances and communities.

Constellations for futures followed up on the comprehensive discussion regarding the impact of the pandemic and a series of events developed by La Loge and the Goethe-Institut in 2021. At La Loge, A Common Breath (10.03 - 03.04) raised ecological questions and confronted issues on dehierarchization, while Reclaiming Places (01.05 - 03.07) focused on inhabited spaces and indigenous rights by fusing arts and theoretical reflections. These encounters pleaded in favour of non-hierarchical relationships and a collective consciousness in order to think of alternative ways of living together and modes of action. With the project Lockdown Lessons, the Goethe-Institut has clearly stated that we are still fully experiencing the pandemic. Scientists are invited to play a role in explaining the changes and providing impulses for new thinking. In dialogue with science, the project aims to learn from this period in a cooperative way, to identify social challenges, and to develop ideas for the future.

Together, Goethe-Institut and La Loge continue to question and explore these challenging times, both on an ecological and social level.

PROGRAMME

CAMILLE & ULYSSE
02.12.21

Screening of a new film by Diana Toucedo, Camille & Ulysse, 2021; Followed by a discussion between director Diana Toucedo (online) and researcher Katharina Hoppe.

NARRATIVES ABOUT EARTH
03.12.21

Screening of films by Ben Rivers (Urth) and Ursula Biemann (Twenty One Percent)
With lecturexby Jennifer Gabrys (, Adam Searle and Jonathon Turnbull

CARING IS/IN THE FUTURE
04.12.21

Screening of Swoosh Lieu's film, a presentation by Chanelle Adams, and new performances by Mira Hirtz and Fallon Mayanja.

This programme was developed in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Brussels, and coordinated by Antoinette Jattiot and Anne Kurr