Performing art and ecosystemic cooperation
The intersection of art and ecology is emerging as a vital area of exploration in contemporary artistic practice, offering fresh perspectives on how we engage with the natural world. As environmental crises intensify, artists are increasingly turning to creative collaboration with nature and non-human entities to inspire new ways of thinking and interacting.
Organized by ESPRONCEDA Institute of Art & Culture, the following series of digital talks delves into how performance and ecosystemic cooperation can reshape our cultural imaginaries and foster more sustainable relationships between humans and their environments.
Talk 1: Nueve Lagunas
Nueve Lagunas is a captivating multidisciplinary project that delves into the life of Santos Guayama, a gaucho leader from San Juan, Argentina, and his connection to the once-thriving Lagunas de Guanacache, now dry. This project aims to revive the legacy of Guayama, a key figure in Argentina’s first water protest—known as the Rebelión Lagunera— and also explore his mythological significance, where he is referred to as “the man who died nine times.” The number nine plays a central role in the compositional process of the project, shaping its materials and themes in unique ways.
So far, the project has taken shape in four different formats: Nueve Lagunas (dry theater, 2019), Nueve Lagunas: En la huella (audiovisual documentary, 2021), Nueve Lagunas: Diario Lagunero (miscellaneous book, 2022), and Nueve Lagunas: Invocación (performative installation, 2023).
The origins of Nueve Lagunas can be traced back to the Ikarus creation residency at Odin Teatret in Denmark (2017), and it has continued to evolve through various artistic residences, including No tchon, no arte in Guinea-Bissau (2018) and in San Juan, Argentina. Along the way, the project has been presented at numerous festivals and in alternative contexts, such as rural schools, prisons, and community centers. These efforts have been supported by the Instituto Nacional del Teatro de Argentina.
About the artist:
Benjamín Slavutzky is an Argentine artist and multidisciplinary creator working across theater, contemporary dance, audiovisuals, literature, performance, installation, and sound art. He holds a degree in Literature from UNSJ (Argentina) and has been involved in various performing arts research projects, receiving grants for artistic creation. Based in Madrid, he works with the Wet Floor company, collaborates with the contemporary dance group Inervo, and leads the experimental theater company Mutable XT. Benjamín also creates spaces for interdisciplinary free improvisation and develops training and creative projects throughout Spain.
Talk 2: INTER RELATIO
The project revolves around the idea of ecosystems and the forces of interdependence, key concepts in ecofeminism that highlight the interconnectedness between living beings and nature. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in the artistic process and encourages the exploration of new ways to relate to the natural world. Through this lens, the initiative aims to inspire a shift in social organization towards greater sustainability and harmony with the environment.
About the artist:
Ángeles Císcar is a visual artist specializing in image dramaturgy, performance, and video installation. Her work focuses on environmental awareness and the interdependence between living beings and nature, exploring these themes through sensory-emotional experiences. Císcar has exhibited internationally at venues like Mercat de les Flors and the Chopo University Museum in Mexico City. She has also been an artist-in-residence at Hangar in Barcelona and the National Center for the Arts in Mexico City. As an educator, she has taught at institutions such as the University of the Cloister of Sor Juana in Mexico City.
Talk 3: Biotic Symphony. Creative Interspecies Ecosystems
This interdisciplinary project explores the interaction between technology, nature, and art to create sound installations where plants and fungi participate through Simbiower technology. This project aims to map and visualize ecosystems in collaborative performances, blending different natural and non-natural environments. One of its key areas of research focuses on the relationship between urban ecosystems and plants, looking for green transit zones within cities to create installations where local and transient artists can collaborate creatively in public spaces that merge technology and nature.
About the artist:
Carlotta Storelli is a Swiss interdisciplinary artist who works internationally across Europe, Morocco, Scandinavia, and the United States. She is the founder of the Inervo company, where she also serves as choreographer, dancer, actress, and pedagogue. Carlotta has co-created and directed festivals such as ImprpvisAntequera and Inervo Lab. She has worked as a cultural manager and communication director for several companies and is currently involved in hybrid art-science projects at Molinolab: Art Science & Technology. Her work focuses on developing new artistic languages and exploring the relationship between humans and the environment.
