Grasslands (eng)

Nourishing our world in such creative ways is essential as, globally, we face
times of uncertainty. A »new normal« is characterised by extreme weather
events; a warming planet; a UN Climate Change Report in October 2018 stating
the world’s governments have 12 years to act to avert dangerous levels of
climate change and the loss of much of the Earth’s majestic, rich biodiversity.
Systems of food production, economy and ecological and social webs of life need
re imagining, reclaiming, renewing and reinventing and many of the greatest systemic
challenges put the countryside on a new frontline: there is a need to cooperate
globally and to create resilient communities. Artmaking creates moments
to begin again from in the story of humans on Earth.
I have written – In Playing for Time – Making Art As If The World Mattered – about
how many artists are now joining the dots between drivers of change in land use,
energy, finance, climate change, food and community resilience to reimagine the
world the way we would like it to be. I recognise the same collaborative, »grassroots«
arts practice in Grasslands.
These »participatory« arts create an aesthetics of care, with professional and
non-professional artists working together to set a new era for the arts. They build
connection between ourselves, our communities and the natural world. Finding
your place, digging in and taking responsibility from there.
Grasslands is the story of restoration the world needs: convivial, communal,
pleasurable, peaceful, creative making together: breathing possibility into local
communities, extending our imagination, collective courage and knowledge
we’re part of a larger whole. Working in community builds resilience for crises
and emergencies, where skills and resources uncovered in creating celebrations
leave a positive trace and memory of what a community can achieve together.
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