Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Taster Session - Students/ Staff Only

Join Dr Anne Daffertshofer, SABG's Art and Cultural Programmes Curator for a Taster Session to develop a new Vertically Integrated Project in collaboration with Dr Elsje van Kessel/ the University of St Andrews and explore the exhibition 'Treasures of the Deep' (Feb 20 -March 01).

Last summer, we’ve begun uncovering the the Garden’s past, exploring our archives, living collections, and the stories that have often gone untold. 'Treasures of the Deep' emerges out of that research, representing our intention to explore ways of engaging with the collections of a Botanic Garden through a multi-disciplinary and cultural lens. Now, we want to imagine what comes next - together.

Join us for a collaborative session to shape a new VIP (Vertically Integrated Project)at the Botanic Garden blending perspectives from the (environmental) humanities, natural and social sciences.

We would love to hear your ideas and perspectives regarding the form and conceptual approach, and what you would find interesting and helpful when participating in a VIP.

We will spend some time indoors and outdoors, with opportunities for quiet reflection and group discussions. All students and staff from the University of St Andrews are welcome! Please feel free to spread the word.

Schedule

1:00 - 1:20 Garden Tour

1:20 - 1:40 Guided Exhibition Tour

1:40 - 1:50 Break/ Refreshments

1:50 - 2:00 What is a VIP

2:00 - 2:10 Workshop I

2:10 - 2:30 Group Discussion

2:30 - 2:40 Workshop II

2:40 - 3:00 Final Reflections

About the Exhibition

‘Treasures of the Deep’ reflects on the histories, ecologies and futures of seaweed in its many forms across time and space. It dives into coastal knowledge and our close relationships with the natural world, exploring cycles of preservation, renewal, and creative inspiration. While it is anchored in the Garden’s algal collection, it extends beyond by bringing together specimens with contemporary artworks and projects that explore the complex relationship between seaweed and humans.

The pressed seaweed becomes not only a historical record that tells stories of ecological and social relevance, but also opens a lens onto global networks, and ambivalences in past and present collecting practices. As seaweed gains renewed attention amidst the ecological crisis, this exhibition encourages to engage with collections not simply as archives, but as living spaces facilitatingconversation, collaboration and new ways of imagining and connecting with the world.

The exhibition shows curated display boxes including biological specimens from both national and international locations alongside Julia Parks’ film Seaweed and contributions by Portia Knight, Oban Seaweed Gardens, and many more.

Oban Seaweed Gardens is a collective of [food] growers, creatives and scientists based in Oban, who formed around taking collective action on local environmental issues and climate change.

Julia Parks is an artist filmmaker exploring the different relationships between landscapes, plants, people and industry. She works with experimental documentary forms often using 16mm film, archival footage, poetry and song.

Seaweed is a 16mm moving image artwork that explores the folklore, ecology, and history of seaweed in northern Scotland. Voiced by seaweed harvesters, workers in the alginate factories, environmental activists, archaeologists & seaweed farmers behind the miracle resource. The film includes archive footage, oral histories and contemporary documentary footage of people working with seaweed.

In 2022 she took part in a 6-month residency with Alchemy Film & Arts in Hawick as part of their The Teviot, the Flag and the Rich, Rich Soil programme. The four films she made premiered at the Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival in April 2023 & screened at Edinburgh International Film Festival & Brazier International Film Festival in summer/autumn 2023. Her film The Wool Aliens screened at Open City Documentary Festival (Sept, 2023) & Rotterdam International Film Festival (Jan, 2024).

Julia grew up and lived for most of her life in West Cumbria. She is currently based between West Cumbria & Hawick in the Scottish Borders.

Portia Knight is a New Zealander who has lived in the UK for many years. She studied Art History at University but has more recently maintained a practical art practice utilising seaweed that she forages ethically along the North-East coast of Scotland.

Portia’s work explores themes of collecting and cataloguing, and questions what is precious. She looks to examples of Victorian seaweed herbaria for inspiration, but primarily responds to the found material itself, searching for the best technique to capture the unique properties of each seaweed species.

Portia has sold seaweed pressings in Aberdeen, Oxford and London, and her limited edition giclee prints and greeting cards are stocked across Scotland. In 2024 she was interviewed about her work by BBC Radio Scotland for their programme ‘Out of Doors’. She has just held her first solo exhibition and had a print in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

To increase accessibility, we have chosen a sliding scale for our ticket prices. As a small charity venturing into exhibition making, we would be incredibly grateful for your support which would help us cover some of the costs of this exhibition. Any contribution would be much appreciated. If you would like to attend, but affording a ticket is a barrier, please feel free to book a free ticket - we care deeply about making our exhibition accessible to those who would otherwise face barriers to access. All donations and ticket sales are essential in allowing us to continue offering events such as these - we're grateful for all our supporters who attend our events and are advocates for our work.