FILM PROGRAMME. «Nature at the limit»

The short film programme, “Nature at the Limit”, was curated by Andrea Domesle, Director of Videocity, and Nora Lohner, Head of Kunsttage Basel. Drawing inspiration from this year's Kunsttage Plaza theme of “Spinning Tales”, they reviewed the Videocity archive to select films that focus on the relationship between humans and the environment. The fragility of this relationship, and the suffering it has already caused on both sides, is particularly evident in the element of water. In the films, water appears in a variety of forms – from snow and ice to tears. Commonly understood as the source of all life, here water becomes a symbol of climate change.

The selected artists bring their own cinematic style to their depictions of conflict zones. The videos offer specific perspectives – and while some of the stories are sad, they also allow for alternative interpretations. They not only explore the depths of disaster, but also offer glimmers of hope. Human behaviour can still change in time to halt the climate crisis.

The films will be shown on a loop in the following running order

1. Ursula Biemann, Subatlantic, 2015, 11 mins, video with sound, English subtitles. FMAC Collection - Contemporary Art Collection of the City of Geneva

2. Vital Z'Brun, Publicités ou l'entre-deux qui prend son envol (voiture), 2022, 2 mins, with sound and subtitles

3. Sara Sasani, The Burden of Nature (field), 2023, 0:47 mins, with sound

4. Sara Sasani, The Burden of Nature (beach), 2023, 2 mins, with sound

5. Sara Sasani, Death of the Urmia Lake Forever, 2023, 1:23 mins, with sound

6. Miranda Pennell, Magnetic North, 2003, 9 mins, video with sound. FMAC Collection - Contemporary Art Collection of the City of Geneva

7. Mark Lewis, Snow Storm at Robarts Library, 2015, 10:06 mins, with sound. FMAC Collection - Contemporary Art Collection of the City of Geneva

8. Lena Maria Thüring, Liquid Connections, Part IV: Water, Other, Matter, Matrix, 2021, 16:45 mins., with sound

9. Kathleen Malay, After the Flags, 2023, 8:43 mins, with sound

kHaus promotes exchange, synergies, interactions and encounters – within the building with our users, organisers and visitors, but also on the grounds, in the lively neighbourhood, with neighbours and interested parties in the city and beyond. We are committed to creating a space with multiple uses, where people can try things out and experiment, where we can constructively engage with political and social issues.

During Kunsttage, kHaus serves as the info point for the entire event and other offerings on site.