With LIVING MATTERS artist, writer and activist Claire Pentecost launches COMP(H)OST at the Castle of Rivoli. This is a «project addressing the themes of hospitality, exchange and coexistence, cooperation and cohabitation, transformation and fertility from a transdisciplinary perspective presenting artistic productions, performances and a public programme which will take place at the Castle of Rivoli and various locations across the city of Turin».
It is significant to start the event with a project that pays attention to what is given back to the Earth, thus preparing the terrain for new life. Compost is, in fact, «a mixture similar to soft brown soil, obtained through a process of shredding and fermentation (composting) of organic waste which is used in agriculture, particularly to improve the nutritional characteristics of the land, to which it adds important organic material» (Treccani Encyclopaedia). Pentecost proposes compost as the key to start working on improving the conditions of life on Earth. “We will use microscopes to observe the intricate activities and interdependence of the organisms that contribute to this process. With specialists in the fields of philosophy, biology and sustainable agriculture,” explains the artist, “we will spend these four days observing, writing, drawing and dancing together to represent our understanding of the miracle of death and life during the composting process”. During the workshop compost will be explored through the body and with dance, involving a group of adolescents.
The coexistence referred to by the macro project COMP(H)OST is based precisely on the dynamics of the ecosystem taking place beneath the Earth’s surface. It is these dynamics that determine future life, both organic and non-organic, if modern theories discussing the future of the planet do not take the presence of man so much for granted.
Claire Pentecost who is, among other things, a Professor in the Department of Photography at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, continues her ‘public’ research by employing strategies of collaboration (which involved her working together with the British activist group Critical Art Ensemble), teaching, field research, writing, drawing, installation and photography, dedicating special attention to how institutions give shape and direction to knowledge.
This workshop series starts from current themes; these are urgent and, at the same time, require time to be metabolised. The workshop is a very important tool in order to ensure that this approach to knowledge takes place in an experiential way. It is part of an intellectual project that the Castle of Rivoli is promoting through the whole programming through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, publications, creating a ‘compost’ where to nurture future knowledge.
The workshop is part of a larger project that comprises a variety of events, starting from the round table that took place at PAV on July 10 where artists, curators and researchers discussed about the topic in order to prepare to the workshop. Please visit here the website for the complete and updated calendar of events that will take place from July 15 and will end on Juy 18, 2019 with a collective performance and a lecture by Carolyn Christov – Bakargiev.
COMP(H)OST, Castello di Rivoli, Rivoli (Turin), 15 – 18.07.2019 (Please visit here website for the updated programming)
LIVING MATTERS is part of COMP(H)OST realised and curated by a.titolo, NERO, Castello di Rivoli Museo di Arte Contemporanea, in collaboration with Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art di Rotterdam, on the basis of a concept by Marianna Vecellio and Sofía Hernández Chong Cuy. The project was realised with the support of Compagnia di San Paolo within the public concourse “ORA! Production of Contemporary Culture” and with the collaboration of Duparc Contemporary Suites. The workshop LIVING MATTERS is organised in collaboration with the Department of Education at Castello di Rivoli.
immagini (1- 3) COMP(H)OST #1. Claire Pentecost. LIVING MATTERS (2) Claire Pentecost, «Soil-erg», 2012. Installation at dOCUMENTA 13, 2012, © Claire Pentecost, courtesy of the artist, photo Jürgen Hess
