Born out of a contempt for the current status-quo, a burning sense of injustice and a curiosity for what might be otherwise possible – Flower Power Photography is a collaborative practice-based artistic research project exploring nonviolence, collective resistance, and environmental and social justice through alternative and experimental photography practices; centred around ecology, sustainability, more-than-human ethics and care. Particularly focusing on unconscious materialities (Brown, 1996; Shukin, 2009) and black-boxed processes (Latour, 1987) that continually act as smokescreens to hidden forms of violence and mortality (Sontag, 1973) within photography today.
The work began, and continues to evolve through a desire for alternative and experimental photography practices that are grounded in non-human animal rights. The desire is underpinned with a love for the magic and aesthetic of the analogue medium, and a desperation for the slowness that comes with moving away from the digital. However, also therein lies a disgust for the use of bovine gelatine in the practice, a sadness with the violent unjust status quo, and an anger with justifications made by industry.
As part of this ongoing artistic research, in collaboration with HDK-Valand Research Clusters: Materialities & Experimental Aesthetics, and Environment: Ecological and Climate Challenges — the Flower Power Photography Symposium invites and brings together some of the most prominent artists, researchers, and activists within the field of ecological and sustainable photography today. We warmly welcome Hannah Fletcher and Edd Carr from the Sustainable Darkroom, who will be travelling slowly from the UK to present their work and facilitate two workshops. In combination with some wonderful alumni from HDK-Valand: Fia-lo Doepel, Tom Zelger, and Anna Hulth who will present and give artist talks around the themes of Flower Power Photography.
Program
Both days follow the same schedule (9:00–12:00 – Artist talks and presentations, 13:00–17:00 – Workshops), but the speakers vary. You can choose whether you want to participate on one or both days.
Wednesday 18th
9:00-9:30: Welcome fika
9:30-10:00: Flower Power Photography Introduction
10:00-12:00: Hannah Fletcher & Edd Carr from the Sustainable Darkroom
12:00: Workshop sign up (in person at the glashuset for both workshops)
12:00-13:00: Lunch break
13:00-17:00: Workshop with Edd Carr (vegan photographic gelatine research)
Thursday 19th
9:00-9:30: Welcome fika
9:30-12:00: 3 x Artist talks / Presentations with Fia-Lo Doepel, Tom Zelger, & Anna Hulth
12:00-13:00: Lunch Break
13:00-17:00: Workshop with Hannah Fletcher (tricolour cyanotypes)
18:00-20:00: Closing dinner (open to all workshop participants & speakers)
Registration
No registration is required for the morning sessions – everyone is welcome to drop by!
To participate in workshops: register in person at 12 noon on Wednesday 18th in the glass house at HDK-Valand (max. 10 participants per workshop).
Contact
Sam McCarthy and Lasse Lindqvist
sammccarthy93@gmail.com
lasse.lindqvist@akademinvaland.gu.se
