Conference and Training School
8th — 10th September 2025
Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme / FMSH
(54, Boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris)
Screening Program
11th September 2025
Maison de l'Amerique Latine
(217, bd Saint-Germain - 75007 Paris)
Format
Open to the general public
Introduction
The Conference, Screening and Performance Program is part of the HORIZON EUROPE PROJECT CIRCUL'ARTS (COST ACTION CA23117).
The Horizon Europe Project CIRCUL’ARTS (2024-2028) is set at Lusofona University Lisbon, Portugal (Action Chair: Marta Jecu). It spans over 4 years: October 2024 - October 2028. The project is dedicated to contemporary artistic and creative practices in the fields of urban circularity, ecological thinking and sustainable practices.
Circularity is understood as practices of sharing not only material resources, but mostly immaterial resources, such as historical knowledge, vernacular practices and solutions, solidarity practices, a way to think about the environment etc.
This international and interdisciplinary project with around 250 members consists of collaborations between academic institutions (universities, research centres, libraries), civil organisations (schools, activists, organizations) and cultural institutions (museums, galleries, cultural centres), artists and curators. It is also based on reciprocal knowledge construction between non-European and European professionals, partners, experts and practitioners. The project aims to develop a holistic approach to circular economies as well as innovative solutions, that emerge from the fields of arts and plural, critical pedagogies.
1. CONFERENCE
The Conference has the objective to present the research work and methodologies developed in this 1st COST year within the 6 Working Groups/ Thematic Pillar Groups. Each WG will present the general orienation of the group (Communication by the WG Leaders), 3 Lectures with specific content -case-studies- developed by WG Members) and the communications of the Project's Experts.
Thematic Pillars of the Conference:
- Plural schooling and critical pedagogies;
- Urban rituals, performances, street theatre, music;
- Innovation through creative and circular technologies;
- Connecting 'natures' in the urban context;
- Dissemination and recommendations.
Lectures:
- 6 members per WG (the 1-2 leaders + other 4-5 members) + 3 Young Researchers from the WG - decided by the WG leaders based on two internal open calls and based on relevant scientific production within the WGs.
2. SHORT TERM SCIENTIFIC MISSIONS
- 3 STSMs grants elected in the 1st Cost Year by an internal Open Call by the Grant Coordinating Manager (disseminated only within the members of the WGs);
- The grants have the mission to research in depth on the thinking and methodologies of the 3 TRAINERS during the Training Schools (video recording, interview, research, etc);
- 1 STSM Grant holder for 1 Trainer;
- 1-2 grants will be dedicated to artists.
3. TRAINING SCHOOLS
- 1 Training School = Workshop/ consecutively in the 3 COST STATION days (duration: the entire day);
- Total: 3 Training School during the 1st Station;
- Participants for each Training School: 1 Trainer + 1 STSMs grantees + 3 Young Researchers/WG (= 18 Young Researchers).
4. SCREENING PROGRAM
Relevant contemporary artists and creative practitioners - with work developed in the field of ecological thinking, emergent and innovatory pedagogies for sustainability -will present their videowork in a curated video program).
Theme
The CIRCUL’ARTs artist-led film program develops and applies a new methodology for working on circular practices, combining artistic practices and developing critical pedagogies. Creativity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to the development of solidarity economy practices, participatory governance, and local narratives, thus contributing to more circular and sustainable cities. The film program presents case studies, primarily from African and Latin American cultural contexts, produced by contemporary artists in video or film format.
Another important point is the role that the non-human can play in the context of circular practices. The artistic works gathered here present material resources not from the perspective of their functionality, as exploitable sources, but from the perspective of their life. They are considered as forms of being—mineral, plant, animal—with a view to their possible contribution to the development of a new circular philosophy.
This approach is fundamentally decolonial and explores the multiplicity of being.
This collection of films aims to convey to the general public a holistic approach to the role of nature in circular practices, drawing on historical and ancient practices, primarily from non-European contexts (particularly in Africa, the Arab world, and Latin America), which offer innovative solutions, hitherto neglected by the traditional discipline of circularity.
Format
The films are presented either by the artists themselves or by the curator, followed by questions and answers with the audience.
Film Program Curator
Marta Jecu
Invitations
All Cost members are invited to take part in the 1st Station.
About Documentation Events
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About Artistic Manifestations
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