Kostas Stasinopoulos, the Serpentine Assistant Curator specializing in queer ecology, leads a transformative conversation with guests Ama Josephine Budge, a pleasure activist and PhD candidate focused on queer decolonial climate justice, and Jack Halberstam, a renowned professor exploring gender and ecology. They delve into the concept of queer ecology, discussing the interplay of identity with environmental issues. The trio examines connections between humans and nature, the role of wildness in queer identity, and the transformative potential of art in activism.
Queer ecology challenges traditional classifications by emphasizing interconnectedness and the fluidity of identities within natural systems.
Transformative experiences, especially during crises, can lead to profound re-evaluations of personal priorities and deeper connections with nature.
Deep dives
Understanding Queer Ecology
Queer ecology merges the concepts of queerness and ecology to challenge traditional categorizations and highlight the importance of relationships within natural systems. The blending of these terms opens up discussions on diversity, fluidity, and the rejection of binary classifications that often divide humans from nature. Embracing queer ecology invites exploration of the complexities of existence and emphasizes the richness found in rejecting absolutes in favor of recognizing interconnectedness. This approach encourages a perspective that values relationships as the essence of ecological understanding rather than fixed identities or rigid classifications.
The Sensuality of Nature
The podcast highlights the eroticism and sensuality inherent in nature, particularly through the lens of various flowering plants as metaphors for gender and relationships. Specific examples, like the unique reproductive strategies of orchids, demonstrate a profound connection between nature and queer experiences, revealing how these elements can intertwine. This exploration accentuates how flowers and their complexities can provoke thoughts about human sexuality and intimacy, suggesting that the beauty of nature reflects the multiplicity of human identities and desires. Such parallels encourage listeners to see nature not only as a backdrop but as an active participant in experiences of pleasure and connection.
Transformative Experiences
Transformative experiences are discussed in relation to both personal growth and broader societal shifts, particularly in the context of queerness and environmental crises. The speakers reflect on how moments of change, such as during the pandemic, can lead to profound re-evaluations of one's life priorities and connections to nature. They describe how embracing transformation can liberate individuals from societal constraints and allow for a deeper engagement with their identities and surroundings. This sense of transformation is positioned as essential not only for personal fulfillment but also for navigating the complexities of contemporary ecological and social landscapes.
Challenging Normativity and Hierarchies
The conversation critiques dominant narratives that place humans at the center of ecological discussions and emphasizes the need to disrupt established power dynamics. By acknowledging the historical context of classification tied to colonialism and oppression, the speakers argue for a more decentralized understanding that honors diverse forms of existence. This shift encourages questions about human interactions with non-human entities, promoting an ecological awareness that embraces difference rather than seeking uniformity. By fostering connections across various life forms, the dialogue suggests that true ecological understanding lies in dismantling hierarchies and recognizing inherent interdependence.
What is queer ecology? How do queer theory and artistic practice inform environmental activism and climate justice? How can we think decolonisation and queerness together?
Victoria Sin welcomes guest host Serpentine Assistant Curator, Kostas Stasinopoulos to dive into transformation, queerness, the natural and unnatural, wild, decolonial and submerged perspectives. Together with guests Ama Josephine Budge, Macarena Gómez-Barris and Jack Halberstam they ask: “where does wildness live?” and they collectively explore questions of desire, pleasure, queer resistance and affinity within apocalyptic world making.
Back to Earth is supported by Outset Partners’ Grant.
This episode was produced by Katie Callin at Reduced Listening.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode