Can one experience homesickness without leaving the comfort of their own home? What if the place you call home undergoes such drastic changes that it is no longer recognizable? These are the questions posed by the effects of climate change on mental health, which were recently brought to light through a unique combination of art and research at a festival in London.
The Land Body Ecologies Festival, held at the end of June, centered around the theme of “Solastalgia.” While a new term for many attendees, this concept was coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht in 2003. Albrecht explains that nostalgia refers to the longing one feels for home when they are away, whereas solastalgia describes the homesickness experienced when one is at home but witnessing the deterioration of their environment. Drawing on his expertise as Professor of Sustainability at Murdoch University, Albrecht saw the need to name and share these feelings of grief and distress.
Twenty years after Albrecht’s introduction of the term, artists and researchers from around the world have drawn inspiration from solastalgia. The Land Body Ecologies Festival featured stories from Uganda, installations from the Arctic, and workshops from Thailand, among other contributions. Attendees were able to witness how individuals connect with their homes in various ways. For instance, the Pgak’yau community from Northern Thailand organized workshops where they shared a coffee ceremony, prepared snacks, and discussed their rotational farming practices.
The festival also showcased thought-provoking exhibits, such as a soundscape of the river Kemi played throughout the Wellcome Collection building. Sound artist Chris Watson used audio recordings from different sections of the river to demonstrate how factors like a hydrodam can influence the soundscape. Additionally, the festival highlighted the Stories of Entanglement, presenting the transdisciplinary research conducted by Land Body Ecologies. This research included objects like a traditional Ogiek bee hive from Kenya and a community-led project where individuals shared photos and narratives of their homes and communities worldwide.
The Land Body Ecologies Festival was the culmination of a two-year residency at the Wellcome Hub, which supports collaborations between researchers and creatives working on health-related topics. Victoria Pratt, Director of art studio Invisible Flock, initially hesitated to apply for the residency due to the predominant presence of academics and university collectives. However, she realized that climate change was underrepresented and saw an opportunity to contribute her collective’s expertise in this area.
Invisible Flock has been collaborating with global artists and researchers on environmental issues. Pratt recounts visiting biologist Kaisa Kerätär’s childhood hometown during an artist residency in Finland, where Kerätär shared the impact of a dam construction that completely transformed the village and inspired her career in biology. Stories like Kerätär’s highlight the collective desire to understand the changes happening within communities worldwide.
The Land Body Ecologies Festival beautifully showcased the universality of solastalgia, with diverse interpretations of the concept coming from all corners of the globe. When asked about the global response to solastalgia, Albrecht acknowledged that while cultures and languages may differ, the experience of distress and change is universal in our increasingly interconnected world.
In conclusion, the combination of art and research at the Land Body Ecologies Festival provided a platform to address the effects of climate change on mental health. Through exhibits, workshops, and shared stories, the festival highlighted the universal experiences of solastalgia and the need to collectively address the environmental challenges we face.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
