Lucy & Jorge Orta, the internationally renowned artist duo, employ a diversity of media to realise major bodies of work that address key social and ecological challenges through a research-based approach. Orta shared their experience developing and producing contemporary art for communities in unconventional locations for over three decades, including Antarctica and geological sites such as Cuidad Encandada. Questioning the ethics of co-creation, politics of care and vulnerability, having worked with diverse groups including prison residents, asylum seekers, homeless and care hostel residents, Orta discussed empowerment through shared creative practice.

Chaired by curator Linda Rocco with final Q&A.

La Carpintería. Rio Arno, 58 (Can Bufí).

Bio:
Lucy Orta (b. United Kingdom, 1966) and Jorge Orta (b. Argentina, 1953). Amongst their most emblematic bodies of work are: Refuge wear and Body architecture, portable minimum habitats bridging architecture and dress; Nexus architecture investigates alternative models of the social link; HortiRecycling and 70 x 7 The meal question the local and global food chain and rituals of community feasting; OrtaWater and Cloud | Meteoros reflect on water scarcity and the problems arising from its pollution and corporate control; Antarctica considers the effects of climate change on migration; and Amazonia explores interwoven ecosystems and their value to our natural environment.

In recognition of their contribution to sustainability, the artists received the Green Leaf Award for artistic excellence with an environmental message, presented by the United Nations Environment Programme in partnership with the Natural World Museum at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway (2007). Their monumental Cloud Meteoros was selected for the inaugural Terrace Wires public art commission for St Pancras International in London (2013). Lucy + Jorge Orta founded Les Moulins in 2000 as an extension of their practice, to create a community dedicated to artistic research and production of contemporary art. Les Moulins is informed by the natural environment and the industrial heritage of the former factories and paper mills along the Grand Morin valley in Seine-et-Marne. The complex spans an 8km stretch of the river and unites different actors in contemporary art across four historical buildings: Moulin Sainte-Marie, Moulin de Boissy, Moulin La Vacherie and La Laiterie. Today, Les Moulins is home to artist studios, production workshops, residencies, exhibition and performance venues set within a 20-hectare sculpture park.

Image credits for image:
Durational performance with the film Modular Architecture (1996), 2017 / 56 Artillery Lane group exhibition / Raven Row, London / Photo: Amy Gwatkin