In this episode, we are joined by Ama Josephine Budge and Essi Vesala to talk about ecology and contemporary art, as well as ecologically sustainable curating. What does ecologically sustainable curatorial work with contemporary art entail in today’s cultural climate? How to expand our ecological thinking when working with art, artists and exhibitions? And how to outline curatorial practices that help to shape livable futures for humans and nonhumans alike? The episode features the sound piece I was told I chop wood like a ballet dancer (On Circles) (2020) by artist Freja Bäckman.

Ama Josephine Budge is a speculative writer, artist, curator and pleasure activist whose praxis navigates intimate explorations of race, art, ecology, and feminism, working to activate movements that catalyze human rights, environmental evolutions, and troublesomely queered identities. Freja Bäckman works as a multidisciplinary artist, educator and researcher. Their practice is concerned with collective formations, informed by queer and intersectional feminism. Essi Vesala an independent curator and writer whose practice is informed by speculative ecology and queer feminisms. Their research around ecology and curating has focused on challenging current fossil capitalist structures and creating alternative, sometimes experimental ways of working.

Withstanding is hosted by Elina Suoyrjö, FCINY’s Director of Programs.
Visuals by TSTO / Jonatan Eriksson.
Theme & editing by Retail Space, a Brooklyn-based composing duo.
https://fciny.org/projects/withstanding