Since 2016, artists have increasingly focused on sustainability and have begun addressing the issues outlined by the 2030 SDGs. In particular, they have responded to SDG No. 15, "Life on Land," which promotes the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, and SDG No. 14, "Life Below Water," which aims to conserve and sustainably use rivers, lakes, oceans, seas, and their rich biodiversity for sustainable development. Several studies and projects on museums, ecomuseums, and their relationship with biodiversity reveal a lack of interaction with contemporary art and a deficiency in synergies, collaborations, and networks between these institutions and contemporary artists. This research presentation aims to illustrate the current international state of biodiversity and contemporary art by showcasing the most significant examples of their convergence. It will also reflect on the challenges that artists and art institutions face when dealing with biodiversity and analyze the rationale behind selecting the Australian context for the project entitled "Unveiling Nature's Canvas: Biodiversity and Contemporary Art in Australian Museums, with a Focus on Canberra and its Surroundings".

Ginevra Addis is a postdoctoral fellow (Research Grant) at University of Milan-Bicocca (UNIMIB), Milan, Italy, on a project related to Biodiversity, Sustainability, Art and the Territory in EU and Non-EU Countries, financed by the National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC). She has collaborated with the Department of History, Archaeology, and Art History - Contemporary Art Unit, at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), Milan, since 2014. She holds a Ph.D. in Analysis and Management of Cultural Heritage, obtained at IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca (IT) in December 2019. She participated in several conferences in Italy and abroad (e.g. New York, Lisbon, Brussels). She published a book with European Press Academic Publishing, in scientific journals such as Tafter Journal, and made several contributions with Ledizione Press, Edward Elgar, Brill, and Accademia University Press. She worked for international organizations such as The United Nations (NYC), and UNESCO (Paris), and at non-profit organizations such as More Art, NYC (2012). She has worked for the European Commission as an EU Evaluator on projects in the arts field.

This event will be held both on-campus and online via Zoom (a link to the online stream will be sent to registered attendees).

The School of Art & Design Seminar series will continue weekly on Tuesdays from 1-2pm, between 16 July and 29 October 2024. 
The School of Art & Design Seminar Series is co-convened by Dr Alex Burchmore, Alia Parker, and Elisa Crossing.