We are thrilled to announce the selected artists for the "Life Between Ebb and Flow: Mangrove Ecologies" residency program. This initiative, supported through Synergies by Swiss Arts Council ProHelvetia, brings together creative minds from diverse backgrounds to explore the vital mangrove ecosystems through interdisciplinary collaboration. We’re excited to announce the four artists in residence that have been suggested by a independent jury:

Ann Mbuti (Switzerland)

Ann Mbuti is a distinguished independent artist and writer in the field of contemporary art. With a rich background as an art critic and published author, Ann brings a deep understanding of cultural narratives to the residency. She co-founded the Public Fiction Group, which explores transdisciplinary storytelling. During the residency, Ann will delve into the ancient stories of mangroves, seeking to uncover narratives that resonate with contemporary mythology. Her goal is to weave these stories into a collective Public Fiction, reflecting the diverse artistic practices and experiences of the residency participants.

"My goal is to learn from Mangroves more about our current global moment. What ancient stories offer insights that can help humanity today?"

Yassine Rachidi (Switzerland)

Yassine Rachidi, an artist and researcher, operates between Montreal, Basel, and the Maghreb region. His multidisciplinary practice spans fiction writing, filmmaking, photography, and sound work. Yassine is particularly interested in the intersections of botanical landscapes and colonial histories. Through the residency, he aims to explore the mythologies of mangroves, examining how these narratives relate to the past and future. By engaging with oral tales and written stories, Yassine seeks to shed light on human relationships with the unknown and the liminal spaces of mangrove ecosystems.

"I wish to learn from mangroves about human relationships to the unknown, the liminal and the to-become."

Joseph Kamaru (Kenya)

Known as KMRU, Joseph Kamaru is a Nairobi-born, Berlin-based sound artist acclaimed for his work in field recording, noise, and sound art. Joseph's compositions and performances have garnered international recognition, and his approach emphasizes expanded listening cultures. During the residency, Joseph will investigate how mangroves can offer new frameworks for engaging with the world, nature, and ecocide. His explorations will focus on the auditory dimensions of mangrove ecosystems, creating immersive soundscapes that highlight the interconnectedness of these environments.

"I'm curious how might mangroves offer frameworks for engaging with the world, nature, humans, and ecocide with a spirit of multistable curiosity?"

David Njenga Muiruri (Kenya)

David Njenga Muiruri is an experienced urbanist and Ph.D. researcher at KU Leuven, Belgium, and a tutorial fellow at the Technical University of Kenya. David's work integrates urbanism with critical research and cartographic approaches to understand socio-spatial dynamics. In the residency, he aims to explore the lived experiences and interactions between local communities and mangroves. David will investigate how these relationships have evolved, how they are perceived, and how they navigate material and spatial relations within existing frameworks. His goal is to gain insights into the symbiotic relationship between mangroves and the communities that rely on them.

"I’d like mangroves to give me insights in the lived experiences and interactions between local communities and mangroves."

Future Outlook: Long Week Interventions in Basel and Beyond

Looking ahead, the "Life Between Ebb and Flow" residency will culminate in a series of immersive interventions, beginning with a week-long event in Basel in Summer 2025. This intervention will serve as a platform to showcase the findings and artistic outputs of our residency. Visitors will be invited to engage with the interdisciplinary works, which blend art, science, and community narratives, offering a profound exploration of mangrove ecologies.

The Basel event will feature:

Following Basel, we envision extending these interventions to other regions in Switzerland, creating a ripple effect that amplifies the residency's impact. Each location will adapt the core elements of the Basel event, tailored to engage local audiences and foster a broader dialogue on sustainability and the importance of mangrove conservation.

These interventions aim to create a space where art and ecology converge, inviting the public to reflect on the critical role of mangroves and the innovative ways we can learn from and protect these vital ecosystems. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to bring the transformative experiences of the "Life Between Ebb and Flow" residency to new audiences across Switzerland.

Credits

Residency Programm Facilitators

Creative Production, Installations, and Event

Partnership Programms and Philanthropy

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