Rotating AiRs in a Volatile World

forthcoming

Rotating AiRs is a transnational platform that connects European artists to different geographies, and reflects on the intersections of colonialism and climate change through artistic mobility. These topics demand an approach exceeding national borders which is why this project enables artists to investigate the interrelations of colonialism and climate change from a transnational perspective. The goal is to use art as a tool for awareness, revealing new connections and inspiring action towards a more equitable and sustainable future, through residencies, exhibitions, artists talks, working groups and educational partnerships. By foregrounding mobility and transnational connection, Rotating AiRs directly contributes to transnational creation and circulation of artists and ideas, and proposes an ambitious model of decolonial cultural exchange. The project has four main objectives: 1. To Examine the Intersection of Colonialism and Climate Change in the Residency Process; 2. To Raise Awareness and Foster Dialogue on Climate Change and Colonialism; 3. To Strengthen Transnational Mobility; 4. To Facilitate Transnational Collaboration and Knowledge-Sharing. Each artist will engage in a transnational rotating residency starting with a site visit to a country historically colonised by Europeans (DR Congo, Indonesia, Mexico) followed by further stages of their creative process in the European harbour cities of the partners (Hoorn, Antwerp and Barcelona). This transnational approach ensures the environmental effects of European colonialism are seen both from within Europe and from an external perspective, where deep-rooted inequalities remain tangible daily. The project also enables a space for the partner institutions to share difficulties in an increasingly volatile, divisive and nationalistic political environment. A publication and symposium will share the knowledge gained during the project with artist-in-residencies cities across Europe and beyond.