The Art & Ecology podcast series aims to bring together different ways of thinking about cultural and ecological problems to help broaden our collective understanding and to highlight the interconnectivity of the post-industrial world. Each episode focuses on broad ecological or social issues and features interviews from a variety of voices, sometimes with very specific knowledge. The aim of the podcast is to make this information interesting and accessible to everyone, so be assured you don’t have to be an expert to listen in. The series is part of Grand Union’s collaborative programme and engages with participants of The Growing Project as well as scientists, artists and activists, both locally and internationally. It is funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities fund.
The Art & Ecology podcast is a Grand Union production.
Episode 1: Soil
Episode one focuses on soil. Something we’re all so familiar with yet know little about. This dark brown or black substance holds the secrets to many of nature’s most important processes and houses millions of living organisms which contribute to our lives in a multitude of ways. We discuss Grand Union’s current Field Commission project with artist Asad Raza, hear about ways in which we can start to try and live with the toxic inheritance of the past, the architectural make-up of what’s underground and why it’s important to become custodians and carers of the dirt.
The Art & Ecology podcast is a Grand Union production, this episode was produced, edited, and narrated by Matthew Cox with Thanks to Asad Raza, Dr Lesley Batty, Alys Fowler, and Jess Chadwick
The podcast transcript can be found here
Episode 2: Land justice
In this episode we learn about Land Justice, a struggle for social, racial, and climate justice that connects us all across the world, from Turtle Island to here in Birmingham. Our previous exhibition, We gather and dream of new congregations by Alberta Whittle interrogates both the historical and present legacies of imperial extraction that built and maintained Birmingham. Across her 18 month long project, Congregation (creating dangerously) Alberta engaged with various methodologies of (re)connecting with the land using gathering, and gardening as a means of resistance to the hostile environment. Our ongoing Growing Project works to heal land injustice in Birmingham, nurturing community gardens for vulnerable-housed people and those experiencing crisis. People who experience multiple marginalstions are far less likely to be able to access gardens and other green spaces, in this episode we talk to three incredible people, Helen Knott, Bill Tripp, and Laura Hackett about the intersections and interconnections of issues of Land Justice. You can read more about each of our guests below.
You can find the podcast transcript here
The Art & Ecology podcast is a Grand Union production. This episode was narrated and co-produced by our intern Zoe Wakering along side Matthew Cox who also edited this episode. With thanks to Helen Knott, Bill Tripp, and Laura Hackett.
