Arts Practices in Local Ecologies: An Epistemology of Bonding
How are arts practices particularly well suited to learning about local ecologies in experiential and intimate ways? In this talk, Dr. Zuzana Vasko will show how arts practices that combine sensory/embodied engagement and gentle probing into the self offer an ontological understanding of what a transition to ecological perceiving/thinking/being might entail. Arts-based learning calls upon embodied engagement, sense perception, and careful observation, making it possible to see and sense our living ecosystems and dwelling places in ways that would not otherwise occur.
The process of expressive interpretation 鈥搒uch as through drawing, poetry, and other creative forms 鈥� involves exploring personal subjectivity and inner experience. Engendering personally meaningful connections with place, such practices spur us to look beyond mere problem-solving approaches to ecological precarity.
Zuzana will share some of her ecologically based arts projects from recent years 鈥� works she sees as deepening her ecological connectedness and understanding. The artworks incorporate gathered natural materials and tend to be intimate in scale. In addition to showing images and discussing the various projects, she will bring the physical artworks so participants can engage with them directly.
Presenter bios
Dr. Zuzana Vasko is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education. As a researcher, she explores the intersections of arts-based, ecological, and contemplative forms of inquiry. Her material arts-based research explores climate effects on local ecologies, commonalities we share with other species, and how we might live harmoniously within the biotic community, being open to wisdom from the more-than-human. She has exhibited her work at numerous exhibitions in BC and internationally. In 2023, her works 鈥淭his is not a Sacrifice鈥� (quiet conversations with plant materials on the nature of simple living) and 鈥淒rought Patterns鈥� (observations of drought in Fraser Valley forests) were exhibited in Lessons from a Living World at the ACT Gallery in Maple Ridge, curated by Courtney Miller.
Zuzana has taught a range of general education and arts-based courses in the Faculty of Education. She endeavours to embed all her teaching with the values of self-learning, ecological attentiveness, contemplative practice, arts-based inquiry, and authentic personal expression.
