Conversation between Jenny Butler and Rossana Henriques in response to Anton Vidokle’s film Autotrofia (2020)

28 Sep 2023

Happening On 30/09/2023

Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh

Jenny Butler, CACSSS Rossana Henriques, SEFS

30 September 2023, 3–4.30pm

http://www.siriusartscentre.ie/

Anton Vidokle’s film Autotrofia considers the reconfiguration of digestion and nourishment – which serve as the foundations of societal structures – as they are replaced with plant mechanisms like photosynthesis. The film also documents the Italian harvest festival of King Oak and King Holly, where two trees symbolizing summer and winter are conjoined to produce one tall, allegedly supernatural tree. Rossana Henriques discusses alternative food sources, with particular attention to the role of agricultural developments and plant genetics in creating a sustainable future. Jenny Butler discusses paganist ideas of social organisation, as manifest in practices such as planting and harvesting, specifically examining humans’ evolving relationship with the sun.