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TBA21–Academy and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza present Organismo | Art in Applied Critical Ecologies, an independent study program connecting research, theory, and speculation with specific cases of regenerative interventions that take place through different forms of alliance. The project began with the aim of exploring new methodologies and configurations of actors in processes of ecological transformation. Its foundational hypothesis is that the work of artists leading interdisciplinary projects have great potential to contribute to a cultural paradigm shift that results in new ways of inhabiting the planet that embrace complexity and are inclusive.

Organismo is based on the experiences of TBA21–Academy, Fundación TBA21’s research center and incubator for collaborative inquiry, artistic production, and environmental advocacy, which has served for over a decade as a catalyst for new forms of knowledge arising from the relationship between art, science, public policy, and conservation. Based on this same approach, Organismo functions as a system of connections between artistic research, interdisciplinary research, government bodies, and local communities to facilitate the co-development of plural and intersectional projects necessary to address the challenges and converging crises of today. 

Experimentation with methodologies is present in the process of thinking and designing of Organismo. Thus, this year zero of the independent study program is conceived as a prototyping process during which we will test patterns, hypotheses, and organizational structures. 

The research lines of this pilot program—which will run from January to June 2024— respond to the work carried out by TBA21–Academy since its foundation in 2011. They are organized along the following lines: Collective intelligence, Convivial conservation, The rights of more-than-human, Liquid intelligence, and Ecologies of technologies.

Organismo’s study program is structured around applied cases, which for this year zero are:

- United Nations Ocean Conference - Barcelona - facilitated by TBA21.
- Suq Centeno - Córdoba - facilitated by Plata and Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation.
- Abadía Retuerta Territorio - Sardón del Duero, Valladolid - facilitated by Abadía Retuerta.
- ARQVA - Museo Nacional de Arqueología Subacuática, Cartagena, Murcia - facilitated by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
- Altamira - Museo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira, Santillana del Mar, Cantabria - facilitated by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
- Immersive Narratives - virtual - facilitated by TBA21.


You can find extended information about the research lines, applied cases, methodology, calendar and open call in the pdfs linked below.

Organismo’ year zero will feature among others: Alex Jordan, Anna Secor, Aula Paleobotánica de Fabero, Bani Brusadin, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Chus Martínez, Claudia Schneider , Concepción Huerta, Daniel Peña-Guzmán, David Gruber, Daniela Zyman, Eduardo Castillo-Vinuesa, elii [oficina de arquitectura], Feifei Zhou, Fito Conesa, Fundación Cerezales Antonio y Cinia, Grandeza Studio, Joana Moya, Jon Aranguren Juaristi, José Luis Fernández Casadevante “Kois”, José Esquinas, Keiken, La Fresnedilla, Laura Tripaldi, Louise Carver, María Buey González, María Montero Sierra, Marian Pastor Roces, Markus Reymann, Mayte Gomez Molina, Mekhala Dave, Michal Kucerak, Nerea Calvillo, Nicole Arthur Cabrera, Plata, Pablo Martínez, Petra Linhartova, Pietro Consolandi, Operator, Rosa Ferré, Simón López-Trujillo, Stephanie Comilang, Wendy Cabrera Rubio, Yasaman Sheri and Yina Jimenéz Suriel.

The independent study program of Organismo | Art in Applied Critical Ecologies is an initiative by TBA21–Academy and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. Organismo is a platform developed by multiple collaborators that for its year zero has the following partners: Abadía Retuerta, Fundación Arquia, Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (FECYT) - Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Atelier itd, Plata (in collaboration with Fundación Daniel y Nina Carasso), Sónar+D, and the national museums ARQVA Museo Nacional de Arqueología Subacuática and Museo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira - Subdirección General de Museos Estatales, Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural y Bellas Artes - Ministerio de Cultura.