This conference will explores themes of place, people and natural landscapes in relation to access to land, National Parks, Public Art Collections and collective acts of ecological care. It aims to re-examine and radically reposition the role that art can play in this time of climate and nature crisis, moving beyond human-centred meaning and extractive narratives of nature in art and wider cultures of landscapes. Taking place in a treehouse venue within a New Forest woodland this two-day conference will dwell upon the urgent intersections of art and landscapes in a time of ecological crisis. Exploring:  

• Histories and future possibilities of place-based art and historic landscape painting in relation to social advocacy for nature preservation. 

• Collective and commoning activity as acts of connection, kinship and stewardship.

• Values of National Parks and Art Collections in belonging to publics and fostering care.

• Long Views: climate crisis timelines, landscapes viewed from afar, actions beyond a human life span… 

Alongside presentations and panel discussions the two-day conference (PROGRAMME HERE)  will also include some outdoor sessions, exhibited artworks and the launch of DAI (Digitised Art Index) New Forest edition. The conference is intended for academics, artists and professionals who are interested in taking part in urgent debate and discussion around these ideas.

Contributors include: Kirsty Badenoch (The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL) + Liam Healy (University of Sheffield), David Blandy, Dr Trevor Borg (University of Malta), Constanza Dessain (UWE Bristol), Glassball Studio (Cora Glasser and David Ball), Bo Lanyon (UWE Bristol),  Laura Harrington +  Fiona MacDonald, Dr Marielle Hehir (University of Leeds),  Jennifer Irving, Melanie Jackson (Royal College of Art and University of Plymouth), Jim Mitchell (New Forest National Park), Stephen Nelson  ( Museo d arte Contemporanea Cogliandrino), Dr Colin Perry (Arts University Bournemouth), Lucy Schmid, Dan Shipsides (Belfast School of Art), Dr Rosemary Shirley (University of Leicester), Dr Angela Summerfield.

Keynote Speaker:
Kate Soper - Emerita Professor of Philosophy at London Metropolitan University and recently authored Post-Growth Living: For an Alternative Hedonism, Verso, 2020.

Exhibiting artists:
James Aldridge, Gemma Gore, Suna Imre, Alys Scott-Hawkins and Tom Hall.

Co-convenors:
Dr Melanie Rose (West Dean College of Arts and Conservation and University of Leeds) and Laura Eldret (More Than Ponies and UWE Bristol)  

Alongside presentations and panel discussions the two-day conference will also include some outdoor sessions, exhibited artworks and the launch of DAI (Digitised Art Index) New Forest edition. 

This conference has been initiated by artist Dr Melanie Rose, Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Leeds Arts and Humanities Institute (LAHRI). It is a joint endeavour with artist Laura Eldret who is currently undertaking a PhD at UWE Bristol. The conference is supported with funding from Leverhulme Trust, presented in partnership with New Forest National Park Authority and More Than Ponies. And with thanks to all contributors and their supporting institutions.

Conference ticket: £70 / £90 book here
  
Getting here:

• The venue is a pair of treehouses in Beaulieu, New Forest immersed within a woodland landscape run by the Countryside Education Trust. Free parking and taxi drop off for the venue is at Beaulieu Motor Museum and you need to allow 10 minutes to walk up the track to the venue. If you have additional access needs please let us know when booking.

• Your tickets grants access to both days of the symposium. Please note that this is an in-person event and will not be available online. We have a small number of subsidised tickets for those working at a grassroots level and independent artists. If you are an artist in receipt of funding we ask you to select the full price ticket.

• Conference timings are Friday 20 September 10am – 6.30pm and  Saturday 21 Sept 10am - 3.30pm.

• The nearest train station to the venue is Beaulieu Road. However you may also wish to look at Ashurst and Brockenhurst train station which are on the mainline. Recommended taxi companies are both called New Forest Taxis confusingly (one is based in Ashurst and one in New Milton). There are various accomodation options from campsites to high end hotels. 

• Tickets include a light lunch both days and campfire supper on Friday. Tea and coffee also provided, please bring a camping mug if you can. Please inform us of any allergies etc. when booking.

• Please note wifi and phone connection can be limited at the venue. If you have any other query please email mail@morethanponies.info