ZEITGEIST19 Curated Podcast

About this episode:What would a jellyfish teach us if we were willing to listen?In this episode we plunge into a poetic and philosophical conversation with Daniela Zyman, Artistic Director of TBA21–Academy and author of The Laughter of the Jellyfish, about the transformative power of counter-education, the ontological conflicts of our time, and the ways art can serve as a mediating force between knowledge, policy, and planetary urgency. A leading voice in contemporary curatorial practice, Zyman reflects on the role of culture in the face of ecological, political, and epistemic collapse.Our conversation explores how art can operate as a space for resistance and re-imagination—intervening in science, influencing policy, and challenging dominant narratives of knowledge production. We speak about her notion of counter-research and counter-knowledge, her collaborations with transdisciplinary artists and Indigenous communities, and her belief in the power of radical imagination.Guided by the metaphor of the jellyfish - fluid, ancient, and radically embodied—we explore how to unlearn the rigid binaries of modernity and float toward more entangled, relational ways of knowing. Drawing from the work of Bruno Latour, Nancy Fraser, Allan Sekula, Armin Linke, hydrofeminist ethics and decades of curatorial practice, Daniela shares her reflections on the shifting role of culture in a world facing ecological, spiritual, and cognitive fragmentation. How can cultural institutions help us navigate a time when even the future feels endangered?The Speaker:Daniela Zyman is a curator, writer, and the long-time Artistic Director of TBA21 (Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary), one of the world’s most pioneering foundations working at the intersection of contemporary art, environmental consciousness, and cultural diplomacy. With a background in philosophy, religious studies, and political science, Zyman has curated and co-developed transdisciplinary programs that bridge contemporary art, indigenous knowledge, oceanic research, and critical theory. She is the conceptual force behind many of TBA21–Academy’s landmark initiatives, including The Current, a fellowship program for artists and researchers aboard expeditionary vessels and coastal residencies. Zyman’s work is rooted in counter-hegemonic pedagogy, posthuman ethics, and the cultivation of what she calls “curatorial listening”—a form of sensing-with the world, not from above it. She has collaborated with artists such as Amar Kanwar, Joan Jonas and many others.''As Above, So Below'' is a collaborative podcast season between ZEITGEIST19 and One Ocean Foundation, focused on biodiversity and ocean conservation and planetary well-being.Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Follow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

About this episode:In this episode we’re traveling far beyond the edges of the familiar. Past the shorelines, beyond the deep blues, and into the stark white silence of the polar frontiers. Our guest Christian Clauwers doesn’t just witness the Earth’s most fragile places — he tells their stories through stillness, exploring the fragile ecosystems.The Speaker:Christian Clauwers is a Belgian photographer, explorer and environmental storyteller. His work has taken him aboard scientific vessels to the Arctic, the Antarctic, and across the world’s oceans. His lens captures what words often fail to express — the raw power, beauty, and vulnerability of our planet’s last wild places. As an adventurer, Clauwers has traveled to the polar extremes of our planet—from 81° North to 78° South—and has explored over 114 countries across all seven continents. He has sailed all five oceans, reaching some of the world's most remote and uncharted islands.''As Above, So Below'' is a collaborative podcast season between ZEITGEIST19 and One Ocean Foundation, focused on biodiversity and ocean conservation and planetary well-being.Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Follow Christian Clauwers's journey at his website and InstagramFollow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

About this episode:On the occasion of the opening of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference, kicking it off with multidisciplinary artist Antoine Bertin's creative presentation and listening session Hearing Above From Below curated by us, we are thrilled to release a conversation with this leading voice in contemporary sound art whose immersive installations merge science, field recording, and storytelling. From Tate Britain to NTS Radio, Bertin’s work invites us to rethink our sensory relationship with nature—particularly the sonic landscapes we rarely hear, like the depths of the ocean.We explore how his background in sound engineering and education at the London College of Communication shaped his artistic process. He takes us inside his creative journey—from collecting raw data and underwater field recordings to transforming them into contemplative soundscapes that resonate with themes of environmental change and human perception.In the context of the UN Ocean Decade, Antoine also reflects on cross-sectoral collaboration for ocean sustainability, including his recent participation in the exhibition Becoming Ocean: a social conversation about the Ocean at Villa Arson presented by TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary and Tara Ocean Foundation, part of the program for the Nice Biennial of Arts and the Ocean during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. As well, part of the Sentiment Océanique exhibition at Nice's Fort du Mont Alban. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in eco-acoustics, immersive sound art, climate storytelling, and the evolving role of artists in the Anthropocene. *We are delighted to announce Antoine Bertin is going to be one of the artists in residency of As Above, So Below.The Speaker:Antoine Bertin is an European artist working at the intersection of science and sensory immersion, field recording and sound storytelling, data and music composition. His creations take the form of listening experiences, immersive moments and audio meditations exploring our relationships with the living world. His work has been presented at Tate Britain, Palais de Tokyo, Serpentine Gallery, and others. He produces a quarterly show called “Edge of the Forest” on NTS radio weaving together field recordings, data sonifications and science inspired meditations.''As Above, So Below'' is a collaborative podcast season between ZEITGEIST19 and One Ocean Foundation, focused on biodiversity and ocean conservation and planetary well-being.Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Follow Antoine Bertin's journey on InstagramFollow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

About this episode:On this Earth Day we are delighted to release our conversation with leading marine scientist and climate expert Dr. Deborah Brosnan, spearheading the project OceanShot. Dr. Brosnan shares with us more about regenerating marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass, the importance of Small Island Nations and her view on the role of collaborations for a thriving blue economy. As well she explains more about the Nature-Based Solutions, benefiting biodiversity and human well-being, why investing in them, referring to them, and as the ''original technology'', inviting us to explore our intricate connection to the ocean and the natural world.*Nature Based Solutions refer to a collection of actions and policies that harness the power of nature to protect and restore ecosystems while addressing societal challenges to simultaneously safeguard human well-being and biodiversity.The Speaker:Dr. Deborah Brosnan is a globally recognized marine scientist, environmental entrepreneur and climate-risk expert. She works worldwide to create innovative solutions to environmental and climate risks, that support ecosystems, business, communities and governments. Dr. Brosnan is leading the OceanShot initiative.About OceanShot:OceanShot leverages nature’s services - designing, building and deploying living reefs to protect coasts, communities, properties and investments and to restore biodiversity. Their a approach is science-based, practical, scalable and transferable. OceanShot is currently underway in the Caribbean, having deployed test reefs and with others underway. Small Island Nations (SIDS) face some of the greatest risks. OceanShot is now building the John Paul DeJoria Ocean Innovation Lab on Antigua and Barbuda to advance the platform, deploy AI and other technology, and provide local opportunities and collaborations.''As Above, So Below'' is a collaborative podcast season between ZEITGEIST19 and One Ocean Foundation, focused on biodiversity and ocean conservation and planetary well-being.Host: Jan Pachner, One Ocean Foundation & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Follow Deborah Brosnan's journey on InstagramWatch Supporting Small Islands on RE: TVFollow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

About the episode:In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to sit down with Jakob Kudsk Steensen, a visionary Danish artist whose groundbreaking work fuses environmental storytelling with virtual reality, video games, sound, and immersive 3D environments. Known for transforming Berlin’s iconic Berghain nightclub into an eerie digital swamp with Berl-Berl, exhibiting at the Venice Biennale as a Future Generation Art Prize finalist, and collaborating with global sensations like BTS and musician Arca, Jakob reimagines lost ecosystems and overlooked natural phenomena to deepen our connection to the world around us. His 2025 commissions, Boreal Dreams at Fondation Beyeler and Psychosphere at Cisternerne Denmark, promise to push the boundaries of art and technology even further.We dive into how Jakob’s digital realms—crafted through extensive fieldwork and partnerships with biologists, composers, and writers—might bring us closer to nature in an age of disconnection. He shares his thoughts on whether artists can act as agents of change amidst today’s uncertainty, distorted truths, and environmental crises, and reflects on how cross-sectoral collaborations fuel his innovative creativity. Plus, Jakob speaks about the importance of the deep sea and reveals the subject he’s currently investigating, offering a glimpse into what’s at the forefront of his mind right now. Join us for a captivating conversation that bridges art, ecology, and the virtual frontier!The speaker:Jakob Kudsk Steensen is a Danish artist working with environmental storytelling through video games, VR, sound installations and immersive environments. He creates poetic interpretations about overlooked natural phenomena through collaborations with field biologists, composers and writers.''As Above, So Below'' is a collaborative podcast season between ZEITGEIST19 and One Ocean Foundation, focused on biodiversity and ocean conservation and planetary well-being.Host: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Follow Jakob Kudsk Steensen's journey on InstagramFollow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

About the episode:In this episode we are joined by Dr. Helen Czerski, an extraordinary physicist, oceanographer, and leading voice in science communication. Dr. Czerski’s groundbreaking research focuses on the physics of breaking waves and bubbles at the ocean’s surface—key processes that connect the ocean and atmosphere in ways that shape life on Earth. As an Associate Professor at University College London and a field researcher in oceans across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, Helen brings unparalleled expertise to the conversation.Helen is also a celebrated author, and her latest book, The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes Our World, has been hailed as an essential read for understanding the ocean’s vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Praised by Kirkus Reviews as a compelling read for science buffs and ocean enthusiasts' and celebrated by The Arts Desk for its seamless blend of science and storytelling, The Blue Machine offers a captivating exploration of the ocean’s profound influence on our planet.In this episode, Helen delves into the hidden physical processes of the ocean and reveals how this immense, dynamic system drives life on Earth. Together, we discuss her approach to making complex science accessible, the urgent global water crisis, and the pivotal role the ocean plays in addressing climate change and conservation.This conversation is an invitation to dive into the interconnected wonders of our blue planet—and a reminder of why The Blue Machine is an essential read for anyone who seeks to understand it.The speaker:Dr. Helen Czerski is a physicist and oceanographer based at University College London. Her scientific research focuses on the physics of breaking waves and bubbles at the ocean surface, and how they help the ocean breathe. She is also a writer and broadcaster, including as a regular presenter of radio and tv science programmes for the BBC since 2010. She has received the Institute of Physics Gold Medal (2018), the Marine Pioneer Award from Jacksonville University, and an honorary doctorate from the University of East Anglia. Her most recent book, Blue Machine, tells the story of Earth’s ocean engine.''As Above, So Below'' is a collaborative podcast season between ZEITGEIST19 and One Ocean Foundation, focused on biodiversity and ocean conservation and planetary well-being.Host: Farah Piriye, ZEITGEIST19Co-host: Jan Pachner, One Ocean FoundationFollow Helen Czerski's journey on InstagramFollow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

About the episode:In this episode we have the pleasure to meet Vincent Doumeizel, a Senior Advisor on the oceans to the United Nations Global Compact, a co-leader of the Seaweed Coalition and an author of the insightful book The Seaweed Revolution. In this positive conversation Vincent tells us how seaweed has shaped our past and can save our future and what are the natural big scale opportunities it provides for tackling Climate Change, making us reconsider our relationship with this forgotten treasure and a source of hope. As well, Vincent shares more about his newly launched Plankton Manifesto - a call for plankton-based solutions to address the Triple Planetary Crisis (biodiversity, climate & pollution), and about his participation at The Earthshot Prize 2024.The speaker:Vincent Doumeizel is a Senior Advisor at the UN Global Compact for Oceans, founder of the Global Seaweed Coalition, and author of The Seaweed Revolution and The Plankton Manifesto.During Earthshot Week 2024, in partnership with the Global Seaweed Coalition, two pivotal events were held that brought together key stakeholders in the sustainable seaweed industry. Hosted by Vincent Doumeizel and Chris Large, Director for Prize and Portfolio at The Earthshot Prize, the event demonstrated that incredible work is already underway to drive the seaweed sector forward.''As Above, So Below'' is a collaborative podcast season between ZEITGEIST19 and One Ocean Foundation, focused on biodiversity and ocean conservation and planetary well-being.Host: Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Co-host: Jan Pachner, One Ocean FoundationFollow Vincent Doumeizel's journey on InstagramFollow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

About the episode:In this inspiring conversation, legendary oceanographer and marine explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle guides us through the depths of the ocean, introduces us to the marvels of marine world and the kaleidoscope of life within it and explains its intricate relationship with all of us. From the ancient role of water to the impacts of climate change on the land and sea, with her powerful storytelling Her Deepness connects us to the splendour and the awe of our ‘blue heart’, portraying its immense value and why this may be the best and last chance that we may have ever got to safeguard it.The speaker:Dr. Sylvia Earle is one of the most celebrated ocean advocates of our times, she devoted her life to ocean exploration and conservation. Through her scientific research and environmental stewardship, Sylvia is one of the first women ever exploring to protect Earth’s blue heart and all of its treasures. She has been a National Geographic Explorer at Large (formerly Explorer in Residence) since 1998. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and was named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998. Since 2009, through her Mission Blue initiative, Sylvia has encouraged communities and governments all over the world to shield marine life that is at risk from human pressures through protected areas she calls Hope Spots under her program Mission Blue. These are areas of the oceans designated as vital to the preservation of species in order to achieve the UN 30x30 goal that aims to protect at least 30% of todays ocean space.Mission Blue has identified Canyon of Caprera, a project led by One Ocean Foundation, as a Hope Spot in support of elevating its protection to an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) with an eye on an eventual designation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA).Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Co-host: Jan Pachner, One Ocean FoundationFollow Sylvia Earle's journey on InstagramFollow Mission Blue's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

We are delighted to kick off our new season during United Nation’s Climate Conference COP29 with an insightful conversation with our co-host, Jan Pachner, a Secretary General of the One Ocean Foundation. Jan firmly makes a call to action for an adequate human response to the threats that have arisen at this decisive turn in history. The fellow ocean defender speaks about our 'magic blue pearl' that we have to care for and protect, the one time chance we have in accelerating ocean solutions and reestablishing peace and harmony with Nature. Jan introduces the opportunities in the blue economy and natural capital for making new waves to a more resilient future.Born in Austria, Jan Pachner began his career in hotel management. After being a Director of the iconic Hotel Cala di Volpe, a masterpiece of the architect Jacques Couëlle, in 2007 Jan spearheaded the international development of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. After working for His Highness the Aga Khan, Jan contributed to the establishment of the One Ocean Foundation. Since then, he has played a key role in growing the Foundation's global network and activities, alongside the annual international conference the "Blue Economy Summit". Jan is a co-author of various scientific research publications such as the "Ocean Disclosure Initiative", the first framework dedicated to industries impacts on the ocean. Jan is an Advisor to CDP, a Hope Spot Champion by Dr. Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue for the OOF’s project Canyon of Caprera, with the support of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative, aiming to recognise it to an Important Marine Mammal Area. He serves frequently as a public speaker, periodically teaches at Bocconi University and is a member of The Explorers Club in New York.One Ocean Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the ocean, focused on innovative research and accelerating climate solutions guided by a multinational scientific committee.Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Follow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

We are delighted to announce that ZEITGEIST19 is joining forces with One Ocean Foundation to host a new collaborative podcast season entitled ‘As Above, So Below’ focused on ocean biodiversity conservation and planetary well-being, examining the one time opportunity we have - to bring back balance in our ecosystems.In response to the climate state of emergency, the hybrid project proposes new perspectives, creating a reservoir of hope for regeneration, reinvention & repair. Based on knowledge arising from nurturing relationships between art and science, the series inform how inspiration from nature can collectively find solutions to contemporary environmental challenges and weave them into an interdisciplinary conversation.In the spirit of ‘As Above, So Below,’ rooted in indigenous philosophy and ancient Hermetic wisdom, we recognise the interconnectedness of the Cosmos and the Earth. Just as the movements of the Heavens influence the tides, the health of the ocean reflects the equilibrium of our fragile world. This profound belief reminds us that our primordial relationship with the ocean is not just physical but deeply spiritual and essential to the well-being of the closely interwoven system of life.We are honoured to welcome speakers as activists, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, economists, cultural leaders and biodiversity defenders from our blue planet we call Home. Dive deep into our journey of exploration above and below the surface.One Ocean Foundation is an International non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the ocean, focused on innovative researches guided by a multinational scientific committee, aiming to accelerate solutions to ocean issues, promoting blue economy and enhancing marine knowledge. Launched by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in 2017 for its 50th Anniversary. Find more about OOF’s project Canyon of Caprera recognised as “Hope Spot” by Dr. Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue, with the support of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative.Support their Blue Forest sea reforestation project here.Hosts: Farah Piriye and Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19Co-host: Jan Pachner, Secretary General One Ocean FoundationWe extend our heartfelt gratitude to the whole One Ocean Foundation team and its President Mr. Riccardo Bonadeo.Follow ZEITGEIST19's journey on Instagram and LinkedInFollow One Ocean Foundation's journey on Instagram and LinkedIn

Episode Summary:In this captivating episode, we journey with Tega Brain from her roots as an environmental engineer to her evolution into an art-tech visionary. Exploring the digital art landscape reshaped by AI and Machine Learning, she draws parallels with influential figures like Ian Cheng, Refik Anadol, and Elon Musk. Her works mirror the transformative power these technologies wield in creating unique artistic experiences, akin to what Trevor Paglen and Agnes Denes are known for. Amidst our tech-driven world, Tega challenges the status quo, intertwining creativity with environmental sustainability, and navigating ethical concerns similar to scholars like Kate Crawford, Timnit Gebru, and Joy Buolamwini. This episode is a must for anyone keen on the intersection of technology, art, and environmental sustainability.In what ways artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming the digital art landscape, and what opportunities do these technologies present for artists?How do you address ethical concerns when incorporating AI and other emerging technologies into your art practice?The Speaker:Tega Brain is an Australian-born artist, environmental engineer, and educator whose work intersects art, technology, and ecology. Her projects often address environmental issues and involve creating experimental systems, installations, and software. She has exhibited her work at various venues, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Haus der Kulturen der Welt. In addition to her art practice, Tega Brain is an Assistant Professor of Integrated Digital Media at New York University's Tandon School of Engineering. Her research and teaching focus on the creative and critical applications of technology, with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental concerns.Follow Tega Brain's journey.Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on InstagramHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:Have you ever dreamed of seeing our planet Earth from above, stepping on the surface of the moon or travelling in time? In this episode we have the honour to speak with Andrea Vena, a Chief of Climate and Sustainability Officer at the European Space Agency. Mr. Vena tells us more about the era of new space economy and exploring further the solar system, meanwhile focusing on reaching and optimising the sustainable goal objectives. He shares with us about his sustainable role and approach based on the understanding that the climate and the scientific analysis of the possible evolution is deeply rooted on space data. Mr. Vena talks about the future outpost on and around the moon, the next international space station The Lunar Gateway, and preparing to study Mars in-depth, searching for the building blocks of life and how to sustain it on Earth.''Space is the space without boundaries'' Mr. Vena says. According to Mr. Vena the international collaboration in the space sectors is the way to progress in future. Listen to our episode and launch into space... 3... 2... 1... Liftoff!The Speaker:Andrea Vena is the Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer of the European Space Agency – ESA. He has over than thirty years of experience in the space sector both in industrial and institutional areas. He’s married with three children.Graduated in Electronic Engineering, with a Master in Telecommunication Systems, he started his career in Italy as system engineer in Alenia Spazio, the space branch of Finmeccanica (today Leonardo), where he contributed to large space projects as the ESA Artemis Data Relay Satellite, and the ESA-NASA Cassini-Huygens mission, and then covered different managerial positions.In 2000, Andrea started his career at ESA by joining the Strategy Directorate. In 2006 he was appointed head of the Corporate Strategic Planning office, in charge of the Agency’s strategic planning process, including the elaboration of the 10-year ESA Long-Term Plan and the management of Agency-level strategic risks. In 2016, he was appointed head of the Corporate Development Office, in charge of establishing a corporate strategy for the development of the organisation. Among his duties, Andrea was responsible for elaborating and coordinating the implementation of the ESA Strategic Plan including actions and activities needed to reach ESA development strategic objectives. He was in charge, among others, to define and deploy a knowledge management system across the organisation as well as to elaborate a corporate social responsibility policy and define actions needed to implement it at ESA.Follow European Space Agency's journey.Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on InstagramHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:On this World Whale Day we devote our episode to the Ocean - one of the most important places on our planet and home to thousand of different plant and animal species. The aquatic ecosystems make up 70.8 percent of the earth's surface and act as a buffer against many critical global issues including pollution and over-harvesting, it is a source of half of the oxygen we breathe. We have the pleasure to meet Markus Reymann, a Director of TBA21–Academy and an advocate for ocean literacy, research and conservation. He expands on his mission and tells us about how creativity and global collaboration with tribalizers in the fields of art and science - such as Olafur Eliasson, David Gruber and the new exhibition with Wu Tsang 'Of Whales' opening this 21st of February - can foster ocean's restoration.The Speaker:Markus Reymann is Director of TBA21–Academy, a non-profit cultural organization he co-founded in 2011 that fosters interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange surrounding the most urgent ecological, social, and economic issues facing our oceans today. Reymann leads the Academy’s engagement with artists, activists, scientists, and policy-makers worldwide, resulting in the creation of new commissions, new bodies of knowledge, and new policies advancing the conservation and protection of the oceans. In March 2019, TBA21–Academy launched Ocean Space, a new global port for ocean literacy, research, and advocacy. Located in the restored Church of San Lorenzo in Venice, Italy, Ocean Space is activated by the itinerant Academy and its network of partners, including universities, NGOs, museums, government agencies, and research institutes from around the world.Follow Markus Reymann, TBA21-Academy and Ocean Space journey.Hosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on InstagramHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:At ZG19 we believe that the New Year should start with revisiting our relationship with nature and our planet, because we ARE the planet, an integral part of our ecosystem. This is why our first episode in 2023 is dedicated to an acclaimed SuperNatural exhibition at the Eden Project, a cross-disciplinary cultural leader, that runs till 26 February. The show brings together a range of international artists, including Ai Weiwei, Kedisha Coakley, Iman Datoo, Patricia Domínguez, Ingela Ihrman and Eduardo Navarro, who explore humankind’s ever-evolving understanding of ourselves as a part of the natural world, the interdependencies between humans and plants, and the systems that inform our varying perspectives. In this interview the Senior curator Misha Curson and curator Hannah Hooks guide us through the exhibitions, mentioning global cultural activism, and stating that in order to develop a planet fit for the future, we need to nurture creative perspectives. Other two ladies that join the conversation are Iman Datoo and Patricia Dominguez. While an interdisciplinary artist Datoo expands on her curious practice that brings together botany and cartography, Domínguez tells us how she merges socio-political and economic matters with mysticism and ancient botanical knowledge.About Eden Project:Owned by the Eden Trust, the Eden Project is a global arts, science and educational charity with a social and environmental mission: to create a movement that builds relationships between people and the natural world to demonstrate the power of working together for the benefit of all living things. Eden champions creativity and critical thinking, and presents thoughtful and thought-provoking cross-disciplinary cultural, community and education programmes on-site and across local and national communities. Founded as a Millennium Project in 2001, Eden welcomes over one million visitors each year, it has a digital reach of several million and as Eden Project establishes new sites across the UK and in China, Australia and New Zealand, its reach is growing. Eden is at the forefront of emerging cultural practices in regeneration, conservation, sustainability, horticulture, architecture, community outreach and education. The organisation has an extensive network of scientific expertise and partners at leading local, national and international universities and research bodies.The world-famous Biomes house a living ethno-botanical collection. To date Eden has commissioned and exhibited such world-revered and diverse artists as El Anatsui, Wolfgang Buttress, Hayden Dunham, Ryan Gander, Jenny Kendler, Julian Opie, Peter Randall-Page, Tim Shaw and Studio Swine. Eden is a hybrid of gallery, museum, garden, venue, laboratory and university – a cross-disciplinary cultural leader for the 21st century, uniquely placed to offer transformative opportunities to artists engaged with social-environmental subjects.Follow Eden Project 's journey on InstagramHosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on InstagramHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:Meanwhile patiently observing and exploring every single bit of the fascinating Unknown Unknowns. An Introduction to Mysteries exhibition at the 23rd International Exposition at Triennale Milano, curated by Ersilia Vaudo, we were mesmerised by an underwater robotic installation. In this episode we meet British bio artist Anna Dumitriu, who tells us more about the artwork ArcheaBot, reimagining what a post climate change life might be - a post singularity life-form. Based on a ground breaking research on archaea - a group of unicellular microorganisms believed to be the oldest form of life on earth - combined with the latest innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning, Anna has collaborated with Alex May to create the ‘ultimate’ species that can adapt to live in extreme conditions, able to survive the end of our world. The pioneering visual artist speaks about her extraordinary practice in between art and biology and the role of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in an altered future life, laying the importance Alan Turing’s Imitation Game has assumed in the philosophy of mind and quoting ideas of Elon Musk discussing possible solutions for Climate Change.The Speaker:Anna Dumitriu is an award winning, internationally renowned, British artist who works with BioArt, sculpture, installation, and digital media to explore our relationship to infectious diseases, synthetic biology and robotics. Her work is held in several major public collections, including the Science Museum London and Eden Project.Follow Anna 's journey on InstagramHosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationSign up for ZEITGEIST19's newsletter at https://www.zeitgeist19.comFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on Instagram and TwitterHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:30 meters below earth there is a place where time stands still - the Ruinart chalk cellars, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deep inside it, where once there used to be an ocean, we are confronted by the origin of our existence, returning back to the source. In this episode we are interviewing environmental artists Maya Mouawad and Cyril Laurier, known as Mouawad Laurier duo, on the occasion of their sustainable installation commissioned by Maison Ruinart, Retour Aux Sources, marking the beginning of the 10-year countdown to the 300th anniversary of the champagne house. The artistic project brings data, artificial intelligence and the living world together in an immersive experience, submerging the audience into a visual and sound encounter underground. Maya and Cyril share with us more about the essence of their artistic practice and their work Retour Aux Sources with which they are ''striving to reconnect with our roots, those at our very core.'' We go back to the origin and question the role of technology in art, the interdependence of our eco system and the way we perceive ourselves in relation to nature. Moreover, the collective gives us a hint about their upcoming project Rising, inspired by our concerns about climate change and the raising level of the Ocean, another crucial and defining multilayered body of work for Mouawad Laurier.The Speakers:Mouawad Laurier is the collective name for two artists who work and live together. Maya Mouawad and Cyril Laurier have been collaborating on innovative artistic projects together around the world for many years, working with other artists under the name Hand Coded. They now sign their own work under their real names. In partnership with Pablo Valbuena, they were pioneers of video mapping and have continued along this path, collaborating with leading video mapping artists such as AntiVJ and Romain Tardy.Maya Mouawad is an environmental artist. The aim of her work is to question the place of machines in our modern world: how can these machines affect human behaviour, how can they change the way we perceive ourselves in relation to nature? Her installations often involve the use of new technologies, generative light systems. She has created her own generative light control software.Cyril Laurier is a music composer. He has researched ways to detect emotions in music using machine learning and has published his work in journals, books and conferences. He now applies his knowledge of artificial intelligence to art installations, making sentient machines that question our relationship with technology and nature.Follow Mouawad Laurier's journey on InstagramHosts: Farah Piriye & Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationSign up for ZEITGEIST19's newsletter at https://www.zeitgeist19.comFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on Instagram and TwitterHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:The first episode of our novel season The New Leviathan, that is grounded in many conversations capturing this moment of history, with its focal point on the relationship between individuals and technologies, is an intimate chat with three curators of the E-WERK Luckenwalde — Helen Turner, Adriana Tranca and Katharina Worf. The all women curatorial team of the world’s first renewable energy art institution is taking our co-founder and curator Farah Piriye on a journey to a small town 30 miles south of Berlin, in the former East Germany, where this functioning Kunststrom power station that explores ecological and socio- cultural practices is located. As the art world today faces a host of challenges, from monument removal to calls for repatriation, and rethinking museum model hierarchies, the ladies tell us how they envision an art space of the future. While Katharina Worf is introducing us to the concept of slow curating and Adriana Tranca explains how very attentive the audience is to what modern culture has to offer, the artistic director of E-WERK Helen Turner states that one of the fundamental roles of a curator in today’s troubled world is to make contemporary art accessible to the local community.About E-WERK LUCKENWALDE:E-WERK Luckenwalde is located in a former coal power station built in 1913, ceasing production in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin wall. Located 30 minutes south of Berlin, E-WERK Luckenwalde is jointly directed by artist Pablo Wendel and curator Helen Turner. In 2017, the art collective Performance Electrics GmbH led by Pablo Wendel acquired the former brown-coal power station with the vision to reanimate it as a sustainable Kunststrom (art power) Kraftwerk to feed power into the national grid by burning locally sources waste wood chips to make electricity, and function as alarge scale contemporary art centre. As part of POWER NIGHT in 2019, Performance.Follow E-WERK Luckenwalde's journey on InstagramHosts: Farah Piriye, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationSign up for ZEITGEIST19's newsletter at https://www.zeitgeist19.comFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on Instagram and TwitterHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:In this episode our co-founder Elizabeth Zhivkova meets Cora Sheibani - a Swiss-born, London-based jewellery designer and a core member of GemX socio-club. A dialogue between two jewellery enthusiasts and creators, a gaze into the future of jewellery design through the lens of sustainability and ethical sourcing, one of the biggest challenges in the sector nowadays. Totally devoid of cliches, Cora's one-off unique jewels transcendent our expectations unfolding a story to be told. Going down memory lane, she shares about her influences behind her practice and her view on the functionality and the role of jewellery in our contemporary lives; on how to preserve the tradition in the 21st Century. Cora encourages the listeners to be conscious, be bold, stay true to themselves, meanwhile giving some precious insightful tips on starting off an independent business in the field.'Her jewellery does not hanker after an image of more or less aggressive richness. What Cora Sheibani designs is not really 'jewellery' but rather a sophisticated suggestion.' Ettore SottsassThe Speaker:Cora Sheibani is a Swiss-born and London-based jewellery designer. From an early age Cora benefitted from an environment dedicated to contemporary art and design. She received an Art History degree from New York University in June 2001 and the following summer she completed a degree in geology from the GIA in London. In December 2002 she launched her eponymous jewellery label. She started out by making small groups of work and individual pieces, each unique. Aside from showing her designs in private viewings by appointment, Cora Sheibani showcases her pieces at special exhibitions trough all over the world. Cora is a core member of GemX - a private social club and a global community for jewellery enthusiasts, mentors and collaborators.Follow Cora's journey on InstagramHosts: Elizabeth Zhivkova, ZEITGEIST19 Foundation & NOIR CATCHER Fine JewellerySign up for ZEITGEIST19's newsletter at https://www.zeitgeist19.comFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on Instagram and TwitterHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:In this episode we are interviewing Scottish artist Katie Paterson, on the occasion of the biggest iteration to date of Future Library project in Oslo, and one of her most political works to date, Requiem, which opened in Edinburgh in April. Katie explains: “I’ve always made artworks that deal with nature and time and climate, but this is the first that isn’t afraid to be political and confrontational... It is both celebratory and mythical, and yet it is also the saddest work I’ve ever made, mourning life lost and expressing a dystopian vision.” Making a quiet and gestural artwork, Katie refers to herself as a whispering activist, calling for awareness of distance with nature. Requiem tells the birth and life of our planet in a single object – an object that uses dust gathered from material dating from pre-solar times to those of the present. Katie’s visionary project Future Library is one of the best examples of how artist can contribute to global crisis. “A forest has been planted in Norway, which will supply paper for a special anthology of books to be printed in 100 years time. Between now and then, one writer every year will contribute a text, with the writings held in trust, unread and unpublished, until the year 2114. The manuscripts will be held in a specially designed room in the new public library, Oslo.”“The crisis is not imminent; the crisis is here” George MonbiotThe Speaker:Katie Paterson was born in Glasgow in 1981. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art and the Slade School of Art, London, and is widely regarded as one of the leading artists of her generation working at the nexus of art and science. Recent and upcoming projects include solo exhibitions at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh; Turner Contemporary, Margate; NYLO, Reykjavik, and in June 2022 at Galleri F15 in Moss, Norway. Also in June, her 100-year artwork Future Library will celebrate the contributions of the last 3 writers to be commissioned and the opening of the Future Library room in the new Deichman Library in Oslo. A major new outdoor commission Mirage, for Apple’s headquarters at Cupertino in California, will be unveiled later this year. Katie Paterson has been represented by Ingleby since 2010.Follow Katie's journey on InstagramHosts: Farah Piriye, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationSign up for ZEITGEIST19's newsletter at https://www.zeitgeist19.comFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on Instagram and TwitterHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate

Episode Summary:In today’s episode we are diving into the inspiring world of Dr. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg. Named "One to Watch" by the Financial Times and voted a Future 50 by Icon Magazine, this Cambridge University and Royal College of Art graduate makes artworks that explore our fraught relationships with nature and technology. Through artworks, writing, and curatorial projects, Ginsberg’s work explores subjects as diverse as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, conservation, and evolution, as she investigates the human impulse to “better” the world. In this candid conversation we ask Daisy about her ongoing one of a kind interspecies artwork entitled Pollinator Pathmaker that transforms how we see gardens and who we make them for. This conscious art project will come into full bloom for the first time this May at the Eden Project, Cornwall. Further public Pollinator Pathmaker gardens will be planted this year in other locations globally including the Serpentine in London. Meanwhile, anyone in Northern Europe will be able to plant their own garden at home, as well as globally by creating a garden plan at pollinator.art, supported by the Google Arts and Culture Lab.The Speaker:Dr. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg is an artist examining our fraught relationships with nature and technology. Through artworks, writing, and curatorial projects, Ginsberg’s work explores subjects as diverse as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, conservation, and evolution, as she investigates the human impulse to “better” the world. Ginsberg spent over ten years experimentally engaging with the field of synthetic biology, developing new roles for artists and designers. She is lead author of Synthetic Aesthetics: Investigating Synthetic Biology’s Designs on Nature (MIT Press, 2014), and in 2017 completed Better, her PhD by practice, at London’s Royal College of Art (RCA), interrogating how powerful dreams of “better” futures shape the things that get designed. Ginsberg won the World Technology Award for design in 2011, the London Design Medal for Emerging Talent in 2012, and the Dezeen Changemaker Award 2019. Her work has twice been nominated for Designs of the Year (2011, 2015), with Designing for the Sixth Extinction described as “romantic, dangerous... and everything else that inspires us to change and question the world”. Ginsberg exhibits internationally, including at MoMA New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, the National Museum of China, the Centre Pompidou, and the Royal Academy, and her work is held in museum and private collections. Talks include TEDGlobal, PopTech, Design Indaba, and the New Yorker TechFest. Daisy is a resident at Somerset House Studios, London.Follow Alexandra's journey on InstagramHosts: Elizabeth Zhivkova & Farah Piriye, ZEITGEIST19 FoundationSign up for ZEITGEIST19's newsletter at https://www.zeitgeist19.comFor sponsorship enquiries, comments, ideas and collaborations, email us at info@zeitgeist19.com Follow us on Instagram and TwitterHelp us to continue our mission and to develop our podcast: Donate