foAM
foAM
Luminous Green is a series of gatherings about a human world, which is enlightened, imaginative, electrified and most importantly – living in a fertile symbiosis with the rest of the planet.
Creative Contribution
What was the significant innovation in approach or thinking behind the project/artwork? How can this be recognisably attributed to the involvement of creative practice?
"The Luminous Green event series was initiated in 2006 by FoAM in Brussels, calling to the creative sector to enrich the public debate around environmental sustainability, ethical living and eco-design. Discussions about these topics tend to revolve around mitigating the effects of climate change, carbon emissions, or terrorism. Luminous Green want to broaden the topic, looking at preparing for and adapting to a life in turbulent social, economic and environmental conditions." foAM (written response to this survey)
Collaboration
What were the disciplinary contributors to the project? What model of research / development was followed? What were factors leading to success / problems?
This project has involved contributions from a vast range of disciplines including: participatory facilitation, eco-art & design, web design, economics, environmental engineering, marketing and communication, education, computer science, electronic engineering, textile design, production design, environmental policy, (environmental and political) activism, gastronomy, graphic design, information design, copywriting and dramaturgy.
Models of research and development followed have included: Open Space Technology, Appreciative Inquiry, Literature Review, Strategic Foresight , Observational study (Ethnographic), Design Methods (Divergence, Transformation, Convergence, Sustainability, Articulation) and Performance Ethnography.
"The project is envisaged to promote trans-disciplinary discussions and collaborations between the creatives, industries, academia, grass-roots initiatives, business and policy leaders. Luminous Green has a strongly transdisciplinary and participatory approach to engaging with issues of environmental sustainability. Its premise is that it is crucial for representatives of various stakeholder groups to be present at the gatherings, in order to focus on what can be done (typical for problem solving in design), rather than on 'who can be blamed'." foAM (written response to this survey)
Values
What were the outcomes of the project? How were these disseminated to outside stakeholders? What models of value are implied by this project? What was the Impact of the work?
The outcomes of the projects are a variety of interdisciplinary gatherings based on different models such as workshops and retreats. They have the dual purpose of raising awareness of environmental sustainability and influencing a variety of audiences. A publication that documents these workshops is currently in production.
Key values of this organisation are inclusivity and cross disciplinary practice. The experiential value of audience participation is viewed as the essential component of their work and crucial for changing people's attitudes to climate change through networking, learning and dissemination. Participant's in foAM's activities often go on to organise their own activities and research projects in a based on a similar model. These workshops also aquire value though their documentation which is used to educate stakeholders and the wider community about environmental issues.
Links and Resources
http://www.luminousgreen.org/
http://www.asomatic.net/2007/05/luminous-green/
http://www.asomatic.net/2007/05/luminous-green
