Oceans in Transformation
A project by Territorial Agency commissioned by TBA21–Academy
Location
Fundación Épica La Fura dels Baus
Date
From 16 September to 3
From 16 September to 3 November. From Tuesday to Thursday (from 16:00 h to 20:00 h). Friday to Sunday (from 10:00 h to 20:00 h). Monday closed.
More info
The ocean is a sensorium: it records the transformations of the earth in its complex dynamics, and it inscribes back in the forms of life its own cycles. Today, the global ocean is rapidly changing its circulations, energies, interactions, and ecologies. It is the most dynamic and sensitive component of our living planet, yet the most unknown. The ocean is in a new phase of its non-linear history,shaped by the intensification of the impact of human activities on the earth system—the Anthropocene.
This image of the Anthropocene is organized along trajectories stretching across the contemporary oceans and presented on large screens. The trajectories indicate the complex interrelations between forms of the Earth System and forms of human cohabitation. As they span the planet, they reveal the magnitude of the impact of human activity on the oceans. They offer a momentary glimpse into humans’ relation to a multiplicity of oceans in transformation, and a premonition about the future of these relationships. They indicate how fragmented and incoherent the knowledge of the oceans still is and form an invitation to collaborate and think together how to safeguard the future of the oceans and their cohabitants.
TERRITORIAL AGENCY
John Palmesino and Ann-Sofi Rönnskog are architects and urbanists. They are the founders of Territorial Agency, an independent organisation that combines contemporary architecture, science, art, advocacy and action. Territorial Agency is a leader in the development of architecture’s relation to the Anthropocene, with projects including How heavy is a city?, Oceans in Transformation, Sensible Zone, Plan the Planet, Museum of Oil and Anthropocene Observatory. They are recipients of the STARTS Grand Prize of the European Commission honouring innovation in technology, industry and society stimulated by the arts. They are the chief curators of the Lisbon Triennale 2025, and members of the high-profile interdisciplinary Anthropocene Working Group.
John Palmesino and Ann-Sofi Rönnskog are Unit Masters at the AA Architectural Association School of Architecture, London where they have conducted sustained multi-year work on the transformations of the Coast of Europe; the emergent technosphere planetary paradigm and have inaugurated a new project on Climate Peace.