The Climate Forum II and III
A research strand within the Museum of the Commons
September 27–October 18, 2024
The Climate Forum, hosted by HDK-Valand as part of L’Internationale’s Museum of the Commons program, is an online platform fostering discussions around climate change, ecological degradation, and the role of art institutions in responding to these crises. From September 27 to October 18, 2024, the forum will bring together scholars, artists, and activists to explore the intersections of colonialism, environmental justice, and art.
Climate Forum II: Colonialism and Climate Action
Date: September 27, 2024
Theme: Colonial Toxicity, the Climate Movement, and Art Institutions
The first segment of Climate Forum II delves into how settler colonialism and historical exploitation are tied to contemporary climate catastrophes. The session features case studies from Algeria, Guadeloupe, and French Polynesia, examining the toxic legacies left by colonial practices. Speakers such as Samia Henni, Nataša Petrešin-Bachelez, and Olivier Marboeuf will share their insights into how colonial powers have shaped environmental degradation in these regions.
This discussion highlights the role archives and poetics play in framing environmental justice claims, with a focus on uncovering the often-overlooked histories of French colonialism and its environmental impacts. Notably, the 2023 film Nu/clear Stories by Marie-Hélène Villierme and Mililani Ganivet will be a focal point, illustrating the devastating effects of nuclear testing in French Polynesia.
The second session, “Can the Art World Strike for Climate?”, will focus on the role art institutions can play in advancing climate action. Speakers including Kuba Depczyński and Helen Wahlgren will debate whether art spaces can act as platforms for climate activism, questioning the boundaries between thematising climate breakdown and taking direct action.
Climate Forum III: Poetics and Change Practices
Date: October 18, 2024
Theme: Towards Change Practices: Poetics and Operations
Climate Forum III, with the participation of renowned artist Otobong Nkanga, will explore the poetics of environmental transformation. Nkanga’s multidisciplinary work, which bridges the gap between humans, territories, and ecological systems, provides a framework for rethinking how art and activism intersect. Her session will reflect on issues of failure, regeneration, and repair, all framed through her artistic lens.
The closing session will feature a workshop series by G and Yolande Zola Zoli van der Heide, examining the life cycle of art within museum collections. Their research challenges the infinite conservation of art objects, advocating for sustainable practices that align with climate-conscious principles.
A Broader Context
The Climate Forum is part of L’Internationale’s ongoing research to address urgent issues related to ecological justice, colonial histories, and the role of cultural institutions in tackling these crises. By merging art, theory, and activism, the forum seeks to create a space where critical and speculative insights can be transformed into everyday actions.
Speakers from diverse fields will provide attendees with tools to rethink conventional narratives of climate activism, while showcasing the potential of art as a transformative force.
Art as Climate Activism
The Climate Forum II and III promise to be a thought-provoking series, offering fresh perspectives on the relationship between art, colonialism, and climate action. By exploring both the historical roots of environmental degradation and contemporary responses, the forum highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to ecological justice. Art institutions, activists, and scholars will come together to challenge existing systems and imagine new ways of addressing the climate crisis.
L’Internationale Online
