Panel Discussion: On Art and Nature | Anna Laurent, John Simpson and Andy Franzkowiak

Anna Laurent, John Simpson and Andy Franzkowiak discuss the relationship between art and nature.

Taking the exhibitions by Anna Laurent and John Simpson at The Exhibitionist Hotel as a point of departure, the talk will ask how art can be informed by nature to tackle urgent questions about the complicated relationship between humans and the natural world.

Touching upon subjects such as loss of biodiversity, climate change, evolution's narrative arc, and how technology mediates our experience of the ’natural’, the talk will question if art can function as a reminder that people and nature are connected, and invite the audience to reflect on their own effect on the environment.

The Biological Landscape by John Simpson

In his current solo show at The Exhibitionist Hotel, John Simpson explores cellular production, regeneration and destruction, though complex printing techniques introduced in his Mitosis installation at Tate Exchange 2018. The exhibition is an extension of the artist's universal interest: reconnecting the human animal with the natural world.

Flora: Exploration to Extinction a landscape imagined by Anna Laurent

Anna Laurent looks at our contemporary botanic ecology as a wild beauty threatened by staggering ecological pressures. Amidst vibrant ecologies of lavishly depicted flora, the landscape is interrupted by absent species, extinct or endangered, represented in black silhouettes. The Exhibitionist Hotel commissioned Anna Laurent to create an immersive artwork on the first floor corridor. The work is accompanied by a selling exhibition of her ‘Dispersion Series’ displayed in the Garden Room.

Shrinking Space - Science and Art with Andy Franzkowiak

Andy is an award-winning creative producer who specialises in science/art projects and site-specific works. His work includes the critically acclaimed Enlightenment Café - a series of multidisciplinary art and science collaborations, notable productions include; Deadinburgh, Edinburgh and New Atlantis, London. He was part of creative team for Utopia 2016, curating Paths to Utopia, a 3-month exhibition and events programme at Somerset House involving 500 participants across a range of art forms and academia. Andy recently curated and produced Blood: Life Uncut for Science Gallery London and produced the Arts in Society programme with Somerset House Studios. Andy has developed art/science projects with several high-profile institutions, including: European Space Agency, University of Edinburgh, UCL, KCL, Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Warwick. He has previously worked with: Punchdrunk, The Old Vic Tunnels, Southbank Centre, BBC.

About The Exhibitionist Hotel

The Exhibitionist Hotel is a revolving artwork where artists draw and paint directly onto the walls. The art programme includes bi-monthly exhibitions accompanied by cutting edge debates and talks open to the public.

For further details please contact our curator Vestalia Chilton at: attollo@attollo-art.com

@TheExhibitionistHotel
#JohnSimpson
#AnnaLaurent
#ArtCorridors