Resonances IV on NaturArchy

Informed by cutting-edge scientific research and public policy discussions, Resonances IV aims to explore contemporary societal concerns with a transdisciplinary approach. Spurred by artists and creatives around the world we navigate across knowledge systems to develop discourse, visions, artworks and exhibition that raise questions, change perceptions and widen awareness in support of the European Green Deal.

NaturArchy

NaturArchy: Towards a Natural Contract is the curatorial concept and guiding theme of Resonances IV (2022–2024).

Bringing together artists, scientists and policymakers, NaturArchy explores one of the most pressing questions of our time: how can we rethink and reimagine our relationship with nature beyond an anthropocentric worldview? Through artistic, scientific and legal perspectives, the initiative investigates the idea of a “natural contract”, one that recognises the agency, rights and value of the non-human world. 

At its core, NaturArchy is both a curatorial framework and a collaborative process. It seeks to open new imaginaries and generate knowledge that can inform policy, inspire public debate, and contribute to systemic change. 

Core Topics

From Nature & Law to Indigenous Knowledge and Green Technologies, five core themes have been guiding our inquiries 

A Transdisciplinary Journey

NaturArchy unfolded over two years as a step-by-step process of co-creation, designed to foster deep collaboration across disciplines and cultural backgrounds:

• Concept & Open Call (2021-2022)
  An international call invited artists working at the intersection of art, science and society to engage with the NaturArchy theme.
• Summer School (2022, JRC Ispra)
  Selected artists, scientists and policymakers came together to explore the concept, exchange knowledge, and develop initial ideas in a shared research environment at the NaturArchy summer school.
• Residencies (2023)
  Artists developed their projects through residencies at JRC sites, working closely with scientific experts and policy contexts.
• Artworks, Research Projects & Community Engagement (2023–2024)
  The collaborations resulted in a series of artworks and investigations addressing topics such as socio-environmental justice, green technologies, law, and non-human agency. The research bridged artistic inquiry, scientific knowledge, policy needs and community engagement. 
• Exhibition & Public Programme (2024)
  The outcomes were presented in the NaturArchy exhibition and accompanying events, inviting audiences to engage with new perspectives on nature, society, and the future. 
• Catalogue & Legacy
  The project is documented through publications, media archives, and ongoing reflections, extending its impact beyond the exhibition.

The Artworks

Discover the 14 artworks produced in the framework of NaturArchy: Naturarchy artworks & projects.

Publications

NaturArchy extends beyond events and exhibitions through a series of publications and knowledge outputs that document and expand its transdisciplinary work.

At the heart of this is the NaturArchy book (forthcoming), a curated collection of essays, artistic research and critical perspectives that explore themes such as rights of nature, environmental justice, and non-human agency. Bringing together contributions from artists, scientists and legal scholars, the book offers both conceptual grounding and in-depth insight into the projects developed throughout the programme.

Complementing the catalogue, NaturArchy is documented through a broader set of editorial and multimedia resources, including recorded talks, public discussions, and event-based reflections (see Media Archive and Podcasts). Within the JRC SciArt framework these publications are conceived as part of a living knowledge ecosystem. In addition to our own publications, we support independent studies that trace the trajectory from initial concept to collaborative development and public engagement, highlighting how artistic research can generate new forms of knowledge and contribute to policy-relevant discourse.  

Curating NaturArchy

NaturArchy was steered by a curatorial committee together with the invaluable imagination and support of very many professionals and organisations across the globe

Forwards to Nature

NaturArchy responds to a growing recognition that today’s environmental challenges are not only scientific or technological, but also cultural, ethical and political. By bridging art, science and policy, the initiative creates the space and conditions to:

• reimagine human–nature relations beyond extraction and domination
• explore new legal and political frameworks, including rights of nature
• translate knowledge into shared cultural experiences
• engage diverse audiences in shaping sustainable futures

Through this approach, NaturArchy demonstrates how art can act as a catalyst for reflection, dialogue and transformation, helping to connect scientific research and evidence with policy needs and societal imagination. 

Testimonials 

Curious? Here's what they say about NaturArchy