A community of
young change-makers
developing a narrative
of hope for society

Artistic tools
cultivating emotional
symbiosis between
humans and nature

A safe space
for expressing emotions
related to the Earth

A community of
young change-makers
developing a narrative
of hope for society

Artistic tools
cultivating emotional
symbiosis between
humans and nature

A safe space
for expressing emotions
related to the Earth

WE ARE THE RESISTANCE TO
THE ANTHROPOCENE, THE STORYTELLERS
OF THE SYMBIOCENE ! WE ARE GEN (S)!

WE ARE THE RESISTANCE TO
THE ANTHROPOCENE, THE STORYTELLERS
OF THE SYMBIOCENE ! WE ARE GEN (S)!

Humans are nature: we’re made of the same material as the rest of the living world. Can we therefore imagine a society where humans live in better companionship with nature? Yes, of course we can! We won’t get discouraged by the mainstream environmental narrative, which focuses on problems rather than solutions.

In this so-called Anthropocene (supposedly the ‘era of Man’, but really the era of wealthy, white, cis men in positions of power), we are taught not to dream or hope for what many call utopias and fictions – but we disobey.

Because we, the younger generations, refuse to give up. We believe that remaining in the Anthropocene is choosing to accept a story of failure we are being told every day, everywhere. It is the choice to follow a vision that has long polluted our thinking and feelings, confusing the way we relate to the Earth.

We need to tell a positive story, to explore another way of being human and to envision a path that we can follow for a more enjoyable future on Earth.

A VISION BECOMES REALITY WHEN YOU
INSPIRE OTHERS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

We can choose to be the generation who takes down the walls between humans and nature. We have to disrupt the Anthropocene. The more people start living in the Symbiocene, the more the vision becomes reality. Gen (S) is still young, but it is growing everyday. Together, let’s dream of the world we want to live in – and let’s CREATE IT.

COLLABORATIONS

GEN (S) TEAM

WHAT IS GEN (S) ?

WHAT IS THE SYMBIOCENE ?

In our industrialized world, there is a vital need for a new generation of humans working towards reintegrating human culture with the rest of life. This is the mission of Generation Symbiocene. So how does one enter the Symbiocene? By building a strong emotional connection with the Earth - much like a loving relationship - and acting accordingly.

The humans who live in the Symbiocene choose to leave no trace of their activity on the planet, everything they do is assimilated into the Earth’s systems. They develop a symbiotic intelligence, meaning they observe and replicate elements of symbiosis found in nature. In this way, they imagine new forms of habitat using symbiotic materials such as mycelium bricks. They enrich their knowledge of health, working with medicinal plants and the emotional connection between species in order to heal both body and mind equally. They replace plastic with cellulose-based materials, enhance permaculture and biodynamic farming practices, and keep on experimenting with ideas based on symbiotic thinking. Contrary to the gigantism of the Anthropocene, the societies of the Symbiocene are organized locally, regionally. In these societies, there are no marginalized groups, naturalcultural diversity is celebrated in all its forms.

COLLABORATIONS

GEN (S) TEAM

WHAT IS GEN (S) ?

WHAT IS THE SYMBIOCENE ?

What brings us together is our relationship of love with the Earth and our willingness to explore better ways to live together.
Bit by bit, we grow stronger.

We hope to be the spark igniting a global movement, with hundreds and thousands of people working to reactivate the symbiotic links that were cut off across the Earth during the Anthropocene. This could be done in different ways: through science, education, architecture, economy, agriculture, politics, and many more disciplines. We chose to start by repairing the emotional connection between humans and nature with art and culture. Gen (S) experiments with ways to raise ecological awareness through artistic tools, working with our emotions to create connections and bridges between the human and the other-than-human.

COLLABORATIONS

GEN (S) TEAM

WHAT IS GEN (S) ?

WHAT IS THE SYMBIOCENE ?

In Athens, the launch of Generation Symbiocene is being organized by four young sumbiophiles, with the goal to make Gen (S) an autonomous and self-organized symbiotic community.

Marc grew up near an Oak tree he deeply loves. He started working in the cultural field when he realized people in power on this planet will do NOTHING to stop the ongoing ecological collapse. He believes in the power of art to generate emotions and shift the way humans relate to nature. For him, the Symbiocene is the kind of story that can inspire naturecultures of care and help change the world.

Alexandra's first memorable contact with the arts was as a teenager during her drawing classes at school: she had to sketch her relationship to nature. Those sketches functioned as a starting point - she felt emotionally connected to her roots! Later on she started working in the field of architecture and culture, researching new perspectives in order to transform barriers into connections in the way people relate to the world.

Pauline is a wannabe forest witch who, though, fell in love with Athenian rooftops, which I have been drawing, painting and capturing since 2015. In the daylight, my main goal is to check the boxes of my infinite to-do list, run from one place to another and answer emails : the cultural manager camouflage. In the shadow of urban nights, the angry intersectionnal feminist rises like a phoenix out of the ashes of too numerous cigarettes, and then the world is clay and we are the sculptors.

Myriam is a little drop of water in the ocean looking for other drops to make a mighty wave of change in our relationship to the world! As a professional graphic & motion designer, she is particularly interested in the visual translation of new ways of thinking.

COLLABORATIONS

GEN (S) TEAM

WHAT IS GEN (S) ?

WHAT IS THE SYMBIOCENE ?

generation symbiocene is being implemented in the frame of start - create cultural change, a program of the robert bosch stiftung, conducted in cooperation with the goethe-institut thessaloniki and the german association of sociocultural centers, supported by the john s. latsis public benefit foundation and the bodossaki foundation.

What is the Symbiocene?

In our industrialized world, there is a vital need for a new generation of humans working towards reintegrating human culture with the rest of life.

This is the mission of Generation Symbiocene.

So how does one enter the Symbiocene? By building a strong emotional connection with the Earth – much like a loving relationship – and acting accordingly.

What is Gen (S) ?

We chose to start by repairing the emotional connection between humans and nature with art and culture.

Gen (S) experiments with ways to raise ecological awareness through artistic tools, working with our emotions to create connections and bridges between the human and the other-thanhuman.

Collaborations

In dialogue with philosopher Glenn A. Albrecht

With the support of

In symbiotic collaboration with

In our effort to open doors to the Symbiocene by healing the emotional connection between humans and nature, we experiment with different artistic tools to develop ‘SumbioArt’ workshops, that is the practice of making art together with (sum-) all life (bios), in a respectful and fair way. When we foster emotional symbiosis with others – whether humans or not – we start making kin and kindred spirits. We strengthen our connections. Come with us to reclaim the green spaces in our city! In a world of negativity, stress and fatalism, let this experience be your bubble of well-being, freedom, positivity and hope. Take a taste of a potential new world : it’s up to us to make it real!

SUMBIOKINESIS

SUMBIOPHONICS

THE BIRD INSIDE YOU

CIRCLES OF SUMBIOSIS

SUMBIOGRAPHY

Do you remember places, animals and plants with whom you have shared a special bond in the past? People and experiences that have influenced the way you see nature and relate to it? We want to read about them!

We will be writing outside, so you can open up your senses to the natural setting around you and bring back memories of when you felt a connection with nature. Pick one and start writing about it!

The sumbiography workshop is an intimate moment, where ten people with different life experiences and perspectives gather to remember and share the story of their individual relationship with nature. It is a time of introspection and self-reflection, where you can free your positive and negative Earth emotions. Writing about them and sharing them with the group is a powerful way to feel at peace, more connected to your environment and to yourself.

This creative writing workshop will be led by Elias Adam, dramaturge & founder of Brutal Stories.

Note: The texts produced during the workshop might be exhibited in May - but only with the participant’s permission - along with other sumbiographies written in german by 10 women who participated in the first sumbiography workshop, led in Hamburg in October 2019.

WHO* / Anyone above the age of 14 willing to explore her/his relationship with nature! No previous writing experience needed. If you’re under 18, please ask your parent or legal guardian to complete and sign this Authorization Form and bring it with you! You won’t be able to participate without it.

WHERE** / Center of the Earth, the outdoor center of environmental education of Organization Earth & Filopappou Hill


WHEN / Sunday 08 March 2020, 12:00-15:00 & Sunday 24 May 2020, 16.00 - 19.00.

HOW / If you want to spend two sunny afternoons in the park relaxing and writing, you can register for free at connect@generationsymbiocene.gr. Only 10 places available! You can get there from Stathmos Larisis or Attikis and hop on the A10 or B10, stopping at 1st Polykatoikion 1η ΠΟΛΥΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΩΝ).

SUMBIOKINESIS

SUMBIOPHONICS

THE BIRD INSIDE YOU

CIRCLES OF SUMBIOSIS

SUMBIOGRAPHY

Have you ever dreamed of being an explorer, discovering new lands and uncovering nature’s secrets? This is your chance! Put your boots on and come with us on a symbiotic scavenger hunt.

Mission 1: find all the animals and plants on the list. When you do, we’ll talk about these species and try to find out which ones share a relationship.

Mission 2: pick a friend, choose a pair sharing a symbiotic relationship and paint this together on circles made of natural fabric.

The reward: lots of joy in nature and a better understanding of the way ecosystems work!

This workshop aims at fostering emotional connection between children and the natural world, through observing, understanding and experiencing the concept of symbiosis. The activity will be led by Aggelina Kanellopoulou, an experienced environmental educator and the founder of The Bee Camp.

WHO* / Children aged from 9 to 12 years old in possesion of the following Authorization Form signed by a parent or a legual guardian, allowing both participation to the workshop and photo coverage.

WHERE** / The workshop is hosted at the Center of the Earth, the outdoor center of environmental education of Organization Earth, which is near Tritsis park (entrance Spirou Moustakli 23).


WHEN / Sunday 31 May 2020, 10:00-12:00.

HOW / There are only limited places available. Sign up here: connect@generationsymbiocene.gr with the full name and age of the participants. You can get there from Stathmos Larisis or Attikis and hop on the A10 or B10, stopping at 1st Polykatoikion (1η ΠΟΛΥΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΩΝ).

SUMBIOKINESIS

SUMBIOPHONICS

THE BIRD INSIDE YOU

CIRCLES OF SUMBIOSIS

SUMBIOGRAPHY

Have you ever wondered “who” is your inner bird? Never? Well now is the time. Put on your emotional wings and come fly with us to meet our feathered friends!

During this journey, you will have the chance to watch birds closely while they live their best life in the park, which is a major stopping point for migration birds in the Attica peninsula! You will learn their names and hear their stories: What are their habits? Their personalities?

The tales of the birds are also the stories of their ecosystems, so be prepared to do some plant & tree observing on top of your bird watching! Are you ready to discover your inner bird?

Identifying with non-human living beings is a good exercise of symbiotic thinking, it helps you build intimate and caring relationships with nature. It also helps you know yourself better!

This program will be led by Stelios Pelasgos and Efstathia Sideri, members of the Environmental Education Program team of the Hellenic Ornithological Society.

WHO* / Children and adults curious about discovering their inner bird! If you’re under 18, please ask your parent or legal guardian to complete and sign this Authorization Form and bring it with you! You won’t be able to participate without it.

WHERE** / The workshop will happen in Antonis Tritsis Park (entrance Spirou Moustakli 23, entrance Γ).


WHEN / Sunday 14 June, 2020 , 16:00- 19:00.

HOW / To spend your sunny Sunday walking in the park and listening to the birds, please complete this online registration form

SUMBIOKINESIS

SUMBIOPHONICS

THE BIRD INSIDE YOU

CIRCLES OF SUMBIOSIS

SUMBIOGRAPHY

Embark with us on an experimental sumbiophonic journey and become one with nature!

Music is known to stimulate the body and mind, freeing us up from anxiety and cultivating well-being. We believe it can also inspire symbiotic and positive Earth emotions! What if we combine percussions with the music of the trees and wind? The sound of our own body and voice with the singing of the birds? Do you want to try with us?

Come and make your whole body vibrate to the rhythms of nature through traditional instruments. You don’t need to be a musician- we can show you how to play in harmony and connect emotionally with others and the space around you. We’ll record this connection between the human and the other-than-human to produce a sumbiophonic sound bank.

The fruits of this experience will belong to all of us: feel free to make your own soundtrack or just keep the workshop records as a personal souvenir.

WHO* / Anyone above the age of 14 willing to jam with nature! If you’re under 18, please ask your parent or legal guardian to complete and sign this Authorization Form and bring it with you! You won’t be able to participate without it.

WHERE** / The workshop will happen in Antonis Tritsis Park (entrance Spirou Moustakli 23, entrance Γ). Feel free to bring a small percussion instrument if you have one!


WHEN / Sunday 21 June, 17.00 - 20.00.

HOW / There are only limited places available. Sign up here: connect@generationsymbiocene.gr with the full name and age of the participants. You can get there from Stathmos Larisis or Attikis and hop on the A10 or B10, stopping at 1st Polykatoikion (1η ΠΟΛΥΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΩΝ).

SUMBIOKINESIS

SUMBIOPHONICS

THE BIRD INSIDE YOU

CIRCLES OF SUMBIOSIS

SUMBIOGRAPHY

We share our home, the Earth, with millions of other species, yet we sometimes find it hard to understand our place in this vast web of life.

Even as a human being, we aren’t a single, individual self. There are more bacterial cells in your body than human ones - you are a community of organisms. You form a biological community with all the life forms you interact with during your life.

What does this say about your human identity? What if, through movement in nature, you could explore another way of being human? After all, we are made of the same substances as the rest of the living world. Ready to find your ecological self? Open your senses and let us guide you through experimental movements in nature. Then, set your body free. Follow your instinct and move. Connect.

Sumbiokinesis is the art of moving together in harmony with life: it is the sumbios in motion. This workshop is about emotionally connecting with the life forces inside and outside our body, using our physical forms as a tool to interact with others, the trees, the soil and the space itself.

This workshop will be led by Aria Boumpaki dance artist and choregrapher.

WHO* / Anyone who is curious to explore his.her ecological self and to dance in harmony with nature. The workshop will happen in greek but let us know if you would like the opportunity to do this workshop in english!

WHERE** / The natural space of your choice, no matter the city or country you live in!


WHEN / Saturday 13 June, 18:00-19:30.

HOW / You can register for free at: connect@generationsymbiocene.gr with your name and age, and we will send you the audio file you need for the workshop. On the day and hour of the event, know that individuals in different places will dance together with you!

In our effort to open doors to the Symbiocene by healing the emotional connection between humans and nature, we experiment with different artistic tools to develop ‘SumbioArt’ workshops, that is the practice of making art together with (sum-) all life (bios), in a respectful and fair way. When we foster emotional symbiosis with others – whether humans or not – we start making kin and kindred spirits. We strengthen our connections. Come with us to reclaim the green spaces in our city! In a world of negativity, stress and fatalism, let this experience be your bubble of well-being, freedom, positivity and hope. Take a taste of a potential new world : it’s up to us to make it real!

Come with us to reclaim the green spaces in our city!

In a world of negativity, stress and fatalism, let this experience be your bubble of well-being, freedom, positivity and hope.

Sumbiography

The sumbiography creative writing workshop is an intimate moment, where ten people gather to remember and share the story of their individual relationship with nature.
Led by Elias Adam, dramaturge & founder of Brutal Stories
WHERE: Center of the Earth
WHEN: Sunday 08 + Sunday 15 of March 2020, 12:00 – 15:00.

Circles of Sumbiosis

This scavenger hunt and painting workshop aims at fostering emotional connection between children and the natural world, through the understanding of the concept of symbiosis.

Led by Aggelina Kanellopoulou, environmental educator and founder of The Bee Camp.

WHERE: Center of the Earth
WHEN: Sunday 31 May 2020, 10:00-12:00.
WHO: Children aged from 9 to 12 years old.

The Bird inside you

This storytelling walk is dedicated to watching birds and hearing their stories, while trying to identify with these non-human beings in order to discover our inner bird!

Led by Stelios Pelasgos and Efstathia Sideri, members of the Hellenic Ornithological Society.
WHERE: Antonis Tritsis Park
WHEN : Sunday 14 June, 2020 , 16:00- 19:00.

Sumbiophonics

This music workshop combines the sound of the trees and birds to traditional instruments and the human body and voice, producing records for a sumbiophonic sound bank.

Led by SELI KANOU, West African Dance & Music School & Company.
WHERE: Antonis Tritsis Park
WHEN: Sunday 21 June, 17.00 – 20.00.
Feel free to bring a small percussion instrument if you have one!

Sumbiokinesis

This body movement workshop aims at connecting with the life forces inside and outside our body, using the latter as a tool to interact with others, the trees, the soil and the space itself.

Led by Aria Boumpaki, dance artist and choreographer.
WHERE: The natural space of your choice, no matter the city or country you live in!
WHEN: Saturday 13 June 18:00-19:30.

Who can participate?

No previous experience is required for our workshops. Everyone is welcome, Generation Symbiocene does not tolerate any form of discrimination.
For information about the various spaces’ accessibility, please contact us.

Registration:

Places are limited. For all workshops, register at connect@generationsymbiocene.gr and mention the title of the workshop, your name and age.

For children and under 18, a parent or legal guardian will have to complete and sign an authorization form we will send you after your registration.

* EVERYONE IS WELCOME, WE DON’T TOLERATE ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION.
** FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPACE’S ACCESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PLEASE CONTACT US.

In our attempt to enter the Symbiocene, we meet regularly in the heart of Athens to:

  • Share thoughts and feelings about society and the planet, acting as a support system
  • Help each other to accept and deal with both positive and negative emotions related to the Earth
  • Learn from one another, strengthening our bonds
  • Discuss key concepts and shape new stories to tell the world
  • Exchange with other grassroots initiatives and committed individuals

In our attempt to enter the Symbiocene, we meet regularly in the heart of Athens to share thoughts and feelings about society and the planet, to plan activities together in order to strengthen our bonds and to discuss key concepts we want to develop.

If you are interested in joining us, please send us an email with your name and age at connect@generationsymbiocene.gr

WHERE / We meet in natural spaces of Athens, send us a message and we will tell you where the next meeting will happen!
WHEN /Twice a month.

Generation Symbiocene does not tolerate any form of discrimination: we actively work to build an inclusive community. If you want more information about the space’s accessibility, please contact us.

Whether you want to help us get more and more people into the Symbiocene or you need a safe space to express your feelings about the Earth, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! Coming to a meeting is also a chance to learn more about Gen (S) or just to hang out with like-minded people.

Feel free to bring a small item that makes you feel closer to nature, something to eat or drink [no alcohol allowed] and maybe a notebook.

WHO / Anyone can participate to the Gen (S) meetings. If you’re under 18, please download this Authorization Form and ask your parent or legal guardian to fill in and sign it. Bring it with you, as you won’t be able to participate without it.

WHERE / We meet in natural spaces of Athens, send us a message and we will tell you where the next meeting will happen!

WHEN / Twice a month.

HOW / Places are limited. Please send us an email with your name and age at
connect@generationsymbiocene.gr

Our inspiration comes mostly from the writings of Australian philosopher Glenn A. Albrecht, who invented the concepts of Symbiocene and Generation Symbiocene/Gen S. You can visit his blog at www.glennaalbrecht.com. We also recommend his recent book: Glenn A. Albrecht, Earth Emotions: New Words for a New World, Cornell University Press, 2019.

OTHER INSPIRING RESOURCES:

— Donna J. Haraway, Staying with the Trouble, Duke University Press, 2016.
— Thomas J. Demos, Against the Anthropocene, Visual Culture and Environment Today, Sternberg Press, 2017.
— Extinction Rebellion, This Is Not A Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook, Penguin UK, 2019.
— Anna Tsing, The Mushroom at the End of the World, Princeton University Press, 2015.
— Felix Guattari, The three Ecologies, Continuum, 2008.

WE USE QUITE A LOT OF UNUSUAL WORDS
SO HERE’S A SUMMARY WHICH MIGHT HELP
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF CONFUSED!

WE USE QUITE A LOT OF UNUSUAL WORDS SO HERE’S A SUMMARY WHICH MIGHT HELP IF YOU FIND YOURSELF CONFUSED!

ECO-ANXIETY is a feeling of worry, agitation, nervousness and unease caused by concerns related to a changing and uncertain natural environment.

NATURECULTURE(S) is a concept defining nature and culture as inextricable. It is a mental model where you don’t separate human culture from the natural world as if they were two different entities. We are nature, therefore our cultures are naturecultures.

A NARRATIVE is a story, meaning an account of connected events and a specific way of explaining and understanding these events.

GENERATION SYMBIOCENE (coined by Glenn Albrecht) emerges from the ranks of all generations, such as Gen Z (those born around 2000) and Gen Y (those born in the 80s and 90s).

This is the generation that has been striking for climate every Friday, rebelling for life and changing their everyday habits as much as they can to reduce their carbon footprint. They are also the generation most familiar with feelings of eco-anxiety, worrying about the ecological crisis and the future of life on Earth.

OTHER-THAN-HUMAN encompasses all dimensions of life outside the anthropos, such as plants, animals, microorganisms and fungi.

SUMBIOART is about stimulating evolving processes of reconnections between individuals, their communities and their place of living, as well as between the human and the other-than-human. Unlike the BioArt of the Anthropocene, SumbioArt doesn’t use living organisms or processes to make art. There is no personal gain in SumbioArt, no domination over living forms by humans. It is an inherently social and ecological practice, nurturing life bonds in a naturalcultural framework.

SUMBIOGRAPHY is a term coined by Glenn Albrecht to explain the cumulative influences on one’s life that have shaped one’s eventual views of the relationship between humans, other forms of life and nature.

SYMBIOCENE is a term coined by australian philosopher Glenn Albrecht :
— συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis) literally means a ‘living together’ or ‘companionship’.
— καινός (kainos) means ‘new’. Commonly transcripted as -cene, it is a suffix used to identify geological epochs of the Earth. Thus, the Symbiocene is the era of companionship, of the ‘living together’, when life on Earth isn’t destroyed, but instead nurtured, by humans.

SYMBIOSIS comes from the Ancient Greek συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis) – from συν (sun): ‘together’ and βίωσης (bíôsis): ‘life, way of life’. These two roots combine to form the verb συμβιόω (sumbióô) meaning ‘living together’. Thus, symbiosis is the ‘living together’, ‘the life in common’. In science, it has been used since the 19th century to define the living – especially mutualistic – relationship between two or more beings. When coining various SumbioArt practices, we chose to follow Glenn Albrecht and to translate the greek υ with the latin u instead of y, in order to shift the scientifically derived term ‘symbiosis’ into a contemporary social and cultural context and to keep closer to the root meanings of sumbíōsis and súmbios.

YOU’LL FIND US AT

CONNECT@GENERATIONSYMBIOCENE.GR

FOLLOW US   

YOU’LL FIND US AT

CONNECT@GENERATIONSYMBIOCENE.GR

FOLLOW US   

GEN(S) 2020 — All rights reserved

Photos Original black and white :

Photos by AK¥N Cakiner , Edward van Unnik , Niklas Braun, Arun Sharma, Ezra Jeffrey Comeau, Ramakant Sharda, David Clode, Cameron Stow & v2osk on Unsplash and Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto & Gerd Altmann from Pixabay