As part of the ‘Trust Me, I’m an Artist’ project, Kapelica Gallery presents a work by Špela Petrič.
In the series Confronting Vegetal Otherness, intermedia artist Špela Petrič explores the possibility of intercognition between humans and plants based on the innate biosemiotic processes, that is the physico-chemical signs that facilitate a senseful interaction. Through the omission of technological interfaces, she hopes to address the distinct properties of animals and plants at different levels of organization (cells, individual, community), reasoning that to embody the post-anthropocentric paradigm towards plants, the human individual must transiently commit to a level of vegetalization.
Skotopoiesis (meaning shaped by darkness) is the first performance from the series attempting plant-human intercognition. In this durational piece the artist and germinating cress face each other, illuminated by a light projection. The biosemiosis occurs through the obstruction of light; the artist’s shadow contributes to the etiolation of the cress (paling, lengthening), while the time she stands arrested to achieve this effect results in the shrinkage of the artist, making visible the effort of this cross-species encounter.
The performance will be followed by a discussion with ethics committee.
Schedule
Performances: 10 Sep, 2015, 12pm-12am and 11 Sep, 2015, 10am-5pm
Panel discussion: 11 Sep, 2015, 6-8pm
Location
Kapelica Gallery
Kersnikova 4
SI-1000 Ljubljana
The event is produced by Kapelica Gallery and supported by funding from Creative Europe, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Municipality of Ljubljana.
The project ‘Trust Me, I’m an Artist: Developing ethical frameworks for artists, cultural institutions and audiences engaged in the challenges of creating and experiencing new art forms in biotechnology and biomedicine in Europe’ is led by artist Anna Dumitriu in collaboration with ethicist Professor Bobbie Farsides. The project is run by Waag in collaboration with Brighton and Sussex Medical School, The Arts Catalyst, Ciant, Kapelica Gallery / Kersnikova, Medical Museion, Capsula and Leonardo Olats.
