CHAIRS: Heather Barnett 

Entangled Futures is a series of eight lectures and six workshops, curated by Maite Pastor Blanco and Laurane Le Goff (MA Art & Science, CSM). The programme aims to provide creative learning regarding the current ecological change by understanding and re-thinking some of the challenges from the Anthropocene. This body of work functions as a bridge between existing sustainable practices within and outside UAL and as a cross-pollination of knowledges through interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches.

The Plastisphere

A lecture-exhibition both online and in person at Central Saint Martins (room C202), Tuesday 2nd November from 5.30pm to 7.15 pm GMT. This second event in a series of eight, aims to offer a systemic view on plastic by connecting science (micro) and social (macro) perspectives. The term ‘plastisphere’ defines the microscopic ecosystems that develops in the plastics debris that inundate the oceans. A term that uncovers the deep entanglements that now exists between this human-made material and the rest of the livings. Led by a scientist: Alice HORTON (Anthropogenic contaminant scientist and Microplastic expert), two artists: Libby Higgins and Zac Procter, students from the Plastic Justice Project and a writer focusing on decolonial perspective: Macarena GÓMEZ-BARRIS (writer and author, Founding Director of the Global South Center (GSC)); this lecture will wander what is plastic in relation to the Anthropocene and its current ecological impacts? This will be followed by an exhibition done by sstudents from “Plastic Justice” a pan-European collaboration cross-academic exchange and field-research on plastic, focussing on micro elements To experience these problematics bodily, students from the Plastic Justice project will promote their work during the lecture and propose an exhibition at end of it. Plastic Justice is a pan-European collaboration between five art and design academies promotes cross-academic exchange and field-research on plastic, focussing on micro elements.

• Macarena Gómez-Barris (Writer and scholar) She is author of three books including, The Extractive Zone: Social Ecologies and Decolonial Perspectives (Duke University Press, 2017) that examines five scenes of ruinous extractive capitalism. Beyond the Pink Tide: Art and Political Undercurrents in the Américas (UC Press 2018), a text of critical hope about the role of submerged art and activisms in troubled times. She is also author of Where Memory Dwells: Culture and State Violence in Chile (2009), and coeditor with Herman Gray of Towards a Sociology of a Trace (2010). She is working on a new book, At the Sea’s Edge (Duke University Press). Macarena is the Founding Director of the Global South Center at Pratt Institute, www.globalsouthcenter.org.

• Libby Higgins (BA Graphic Communication Design) Libby Higgins is a final year student on BA Graphic Communication Design at Central Saint Martins. Her work takes a wide range of formats including publication and poster design, coding and animation. Libby’s practice is underpinned by a keen interest in social discourse and minimising the environmental impact of communication design. Instagram: @libbymabelhiggins | website : www.libbyhiggins.cargo.site

• Dr Alice Horton (Principal Investigator – Anthropogenic Contaminants) Dr Horton is an anthropogenic contaminant scientist with a specific expertise in microplastic pollution. Her research focuses on how our growing use of plastics leads to the accumulation and negative effects of plastics within the environment. She is interested in how microplastics are transported between land, lakes, rivers and the sea, and also the interactions and effects of microplastics on organisms within aquatic environments and how these interact with other environmental and chemical stressors. Instagram: @AliceAHorton; @UK_Microplastic 

• Zac Procter (BA Graphic Communication Design) In both his studies at Central Saint Martins and his diverse work experience, Zac Procter has explored the basis of creative strategy, working within the fields of graphic communication design, creative marketing and brand strategy. His end-goal is to create, ideate and innovate with empathy for real people, rooted in real, human experiences. Zac has worked as a freelancer with small brands including the Literacy Hive and the London Canal Museum, as well as on short film projects such as Three (dir. Destinie Paige) and Generation Activism (dir. Shannon Ribeiro), and currently works for the global market research organisation Appinio. Linkedin |

About this event

This event will be followed by an exhibition presented by students from “Plastic Justice”, which is a pan-European collaboration and cross-academic exchange of field research about plastic and microelements. https://plasticjustice.eu/

This physical event is for UAL students and staff only. But anyone can attend virtually via Zoom.

To attend the physical event, please register via Eventbrite 

SPONSORS:

This is the second event in the Entangled Future series, part of Carnival of Crisis hosted by the UAL Climate Emergency Network.

London LASER is hosted by University of the Arts London (Central Saint Martins MA Art and Science) and has been running since February 2014.

The Leonardo/ISAST LASERs are a program of international gatherings that bring artists, scientists, humanists and technologists together for informal presentations, performances and conversations with the wider public. The mission of the LASERs is to encourage contribution to the cultural environment of a region by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opportunities for community building to over 40 cities around the world. To learn more about how our LASER Hosts and to visit a LASER near you please visit our website. @lasertalks