Eternal Forest’s programme for the Spring/Summer of 2023 titled Forest Time – a multidisciplinary art project, taking place in Estufa Fria and Monsanto Forest Park, supported by Câmara Municipal Lisboa, in collaboration with scientific partners – cE3c (Centro de Ecologia, Evolução e Alterações Ambientais da Universidade de Lisboa) and CRIA (Centro em Rede de Investigação em Antropologia).
Forest Time programme launched in May and June 2023 and included two art exhibitions, immersive art experiences, art trails in the forest and reflection sessions, a book publication with contributions from scientists and thinkers from various backgrounds on the subject of biodiverse natural forest creation and protection, with the aim of raising awareness about the protection of nature, reaching participants ranging from the general public to a multidisciplinary circle of specialists and the art public.
About Forest Time in Monsanto Forest Park
On the 21 June Interpretation Centre of Monsanto Forest Park in Lisbon opened Forest Time, an exhibition by Evgenia Emets, which explores the themes of the forest as receiver and transformer of light, the meaning of shadow and light, the role of natural forest biodiversity in human evolution and ecology. The trail, artistic experiences and reflection sessions within the Biodiversity Space, the place for research and conservation of the natural forest ecosystem, will accompany the exhibition installed in the Centre.
This work is the result of a two-year investigation in the form of multiple artistic residencies in Monsanto Forest Park, which artist considers to be an important reference in Portugal for a young man-made forest, offering us the possibility to imagine how we can restore and protect natural forest ecosystems throughout the country and beyond as part of Eternal Forest project.
The latest edition of Forest Time – “Finding the Mother Tree”, took place in November 2022 in collaboration with Monsanto Forest Park, and opened a new cycle of artistic experiences and walks. It was based on the idea of the “mother tree” – following scientist Suzanne Simard’s proposition that larger and older trees play a central role in the forest. Participants were invited to explore a route linked to the natural landmarks of the forest, and to interpret them through poetry and immersive performance, leading them to the discovery of the true ‘mother tree’.
Two themes: Finding the Mother Tree and Forest is Light will join in one exhibition through a series of poetry and visual artworks. Evgenia presents new series of artworks which combine calligraphy on dyed fabric using natural plant-based dyes.
The project Eternal Forest – Forest Time is developed in partnership with cE3c (Centre of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change from the University of Lisbon), CRIA (Research Network Centre in Anthropology), Monsanto Forest Park and Estufa Fria. It also has the institutional support of the Lisbon City Hall, and the support of Ponto das Artes, Luso and Ecobiozon.
Centro de Interpretação de Monsanto, Estrada Barcal, 1500-068 Lisboa
Forest Time Exhibition photos Monsanto Forest Park
About Forest Time in Estufa Fria de Lisboa
Forest Time project launched with an exhibition opening on the 17th of May at 19.00 at Estufa Fria’s Interpretation Center, Lisbon.
In a solo exhibition, Evgenia Emets explores seven plants and their ecological, historical, cultural and spiritual meaning – both in their place of origin and in their extensive sphere of influence beyond. The plants’ stories and messages are retold by the artist through poetry, a series of calligraphy works on paper and immersive art experiences.
The exhibition showcases a new series of site-specific works on paper drawn using a calligraphy technique created by the artist specifically for the show – an extension of her ongoing visual practice of inscribing poetry guided by the plants themselves.
The art experiences consist of contemplative walks through Estufa Fria with the invitation of the seven plants. Through poetry, storytelling and personal reflection, the audience is here invited to join the artist’s practice of listening to the plants.
Forest Time Exhibition photos Estufa Fria de Lisboa
Art trails and experiences Estufa Fria and Monsanto Forest Park
Between November 2022 and September 2023 three artistic trails were developed – one in Estufa Fria de Lisboa titled ‘Religar’ and two in Monsanto Forest Park titled ‘Finding the Mother Tree’ and ‘Forest is Light’. They have been embodied in a series of immersive experiential events taking place directly in the green space.
The purpose of these experiences is to bring people in close contact with plants, natural landmarks and the body of the forest and create a possibility of deep listening in which trees, land, and the spirit of the place communicate directly to people.
Religar, Estufa Fria de Lisboa, 2023
Finding the Mother Tree, Parque Florestal de Monsanto, Novembro de 2022