We live like trees inside the footsteps of our ancestors
Tsionki, Marianna 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7770-2076 and Cunha, Mariana
(2023)
We live like trees inside the footsteps of our ancestors.
[Show/Exhibition]
Abstract
This output is a research exhibition challenging the destructive legacy of colonialism and environmental exploitation, urging a re-examination of the human-nature relationship through curatorial practices. Collaboration contribution: Curated by Marianna Tsionki and Mariana Cunha, it stems from their collaborative project Reclaiming EcoVisualities, which merges their shared focus on ecological aesthetics, non-anthropocentric thinking, situated knowledge, and non-Western cosmologies. Research process: The research process behind the exhibition focused on a collaborative, multi-layered approach, distinct from the spectacle-driven formats of many ecologically-themed exhibitions. It involved deep engagement with ecological and decolonial discourses through independent study, extensive knowledge exchange, and close collaboration between researchers-curators and artists. This approach was vital for unravelling complex narratives and ensuring the exhibition was rooted in diverse research perspectives. The accompanying publication further illuminates these practices, bridging the gap between curatorial strategies and public reception while enhancing understanding of the methodologies used. Research insights: The research revealed how curatorial processes – theoretical and practical- and exhibition design can transform space into an active element of a research narrative. The arrangement of artworks fostered interactions that emphasized thematic connections, allowing visitors to engage with a cohesive story. Complementary talks and materials enhanced accessibility, broadening the exhibition’s reach. This approach highlighted the role of curatorial practice as a research tool, demonstrating how thoughtful curatorial processes shape and articulate research findings. The process showed the successful integration of artistic and research objectives, offering a model for exploring and communicating ecological themes through curatorial methods. Reflections on the process reveal the success of merging artistic and research objectives, offering a model for exploring ecological themes through innovative curatorial methods. Dissemination: The research was presented at Blenheim Walk Gallery between 12 May and 22 July 2023, with additional student talks, tours, and contextual presentations, including the Archivo Webinar Series 2023 and the CREAM 2023 Summer Social at Westminster University’s Regent Street Cinema.
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