WELLBEING CULTURE FORUM

The Wellbeing Culture Forum is our response to the ongoing crisis. A series of both private and public discussions, Wellbeing Wednesdays create dialogue and encourage collaboration at a time when cities are standing still, as well as exploring new ways of connecting and convening online.

We’ll be announcing new events on our website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but here’s an overview of what we’ve done so far:

THERME ART x MESSE IN ST AGNES

Creating in Crisis: Systems of Creativity and Improvisation, 12 September

The COVID-19 pandemic has unsettled our institutionalised methods of art production and its reception. We must now learn to create in the void of uncertainty. How can we learn from improvisation, both as well as an artistic and architectural methodology. We must now learn to create in the void of uncertainty but crisis has always been a strong catalyst for creativity. How can we learn from improvisation? Read more about this talk here.

Art as Healing: Transforming Interior and Exterior Life, 12 September 

Art can inspire, but it can also help us cope with the conflicts and confusions of daily life and locate spaces of community in dislocation. How can the therapeutic qualities of art serve as a catalyst for progress, in both urban and natural landscapes? How can art design spaces for spirituality, meaning and contemplation? Read more here. 

Liquid Experiences: Immersive Experiences in Art, Nature and Cities, 12 September 

Today, more and more contemporary artists are extending their canvas into physical, social and mental spaces, thus creating alternative spaces, instead of ones defined by history, religion and politics. The recently launched Superblue initiative unites artists using this approach worldwide. How can we expand this artistic impulse to create holistic urban spaces that enhance our mental and physical wellbeing? How could an experience economy promote sustainable and ecological living? Read more about this talk here.

Critical Culture: Artistic Strategies in Reshaping Reality, 13 September 

Among the acute crises, the fragility of our entire culture is revealed. Cultural players in particular are called upon today to apply their practices of transformation, adaptation and manifestation developed in the art space to social realities, to sculpt the future. The talk reflected self-critically on new responsibilities. Read more here. 

Berlin, Where Are We Now? A City as an Artistic Laboratory, 13 September 

Since the fall of the wall, Berlin has been an epicentre for artistic and architectural experiments, attracting artists from all over the world. Recently, however, the international press spoke about “Berlin fatigue”. Within the current zeitgeist, how can we take up, control and revive what was created in Berlin by a historical coincidence? What new ideas and forms emerged in the last half year that can be the driving force for innovation in the years to come? Read more about this event here. 

Breaking Bauhaus: Renewing its Principles 100 Years Later, 11 September 

The Bauhaus movement revolutionised our cities and lifestyles 100 years ago out of an artistic impulse. Today, under the sign of the mono-cultivation of our planet, climate change and viral pandemics, we ask ourselves, what could it mean to renew the humanist Bauhaus idea with local and ecological differences and desires, reigniting it anew. Learn more here. 

Growing Gaia I & II: Transforming a Hypothesis into Action, 11 September 

The Gaia Hypothesis, proposed by Lynn Margulis and James Lovelock in the 1970s, has become particularly relevant in light of the current crises. It is undeniably clear that today we must reposition ourselves within the totality of nature. How can artists, architects, scientists, and designers bring this theory to consciousness and translate it into action? Learn more here. 

Human Cities – Fostering a Systems-Approach to Urban Life, 2 September

Catalysed by the recent publication of Therme Group’s ambitious green paper Human Cities: Increasing Urban Wellbeing, this Wellbeing Culture Forum session will outline the traits of the human city, focusing on the vital role of culture and creativity in creating urban environments more compatible with the wellbeing both of humans and the natural world. You can read more about the event here.

Architectures of Health of Happiness – The Gains of Collaborative Design, 29 July

In order to truly enhance human wellbeing, city design needs to move beyond optimising single parameters to a more holistic approach. Architectures of Health and Happiness will explore additional components such as inclusivity, diversity and fulfilment, which are needed to achieve healthier and more robust cities. You can read more about the event here.

The Social Culture of Cities – Shaping a Participatory Reality, 24 June

In partnership with British Council and moderated by their Director of Visual Arts, Emma Dexter, this session will bring together voices from across disciplines, starting from architecture and expanding into art, design and science, to investigate how cultural adaptation in urban environments is crucial to navigating our changing world. You can read more about the event here.

Culture of Live Events – Redesigning Common Rituals, 17 June

Featuring, among others, Global Director of Art Basel Marc Spiegler and Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Manchester International Festival and The Factory, John McGrath, this discussion will examine the importance of live events for the wellbeing of cultural life in society. You can read more about the event here.

Art in Architecture – How art can liberate architecture, 27 May

Featuring curator and Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries, Hans Ulrich Obrist, along with architects Junya Ishigami, Sumayya Vally, Frida Escobedo, Stefano Boeri, artist Torkwase Dyson as well as Therme Art curator Mikolaj Sekutowicz. Inspired by the Serpentine Pavilion Programme, the session will focus on the relationship between art and architecture. You can read more about the event here.

Re-Entering Reality, 20 May

Led by architect Arthur Mamou-Mani and Professor Sarah Wilson, the session will involve a VR walk-through of Mamou-Mani’s Catharsis, the structure originally planned for Burning Man 2020. You can read more about the event here.

Access Information

Both public and private sessions are live streamed through Therme Art’s media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and the Therme Art website.

To attend a public session, please register on our website by clicking the “Register” button at the top of this page. Alternatively, keep an eye on our social channels a little closer to the event’s date.

To set up the conference:

The forum is held via the virtual video conferencing platform, Zoom: https://zoom.us
Please download the app on your phone or computer in advance
Check the microphone and camera of your device

To join the session via Zoom:

Click the link in your invitation
Submit the provided password
Alternatively, insert the meeting ID manually along with the password
Click “Join with video” in order to participate with video

On your smartphone, tablet or computer: 

You can  find our broadcasts on Facebook as well as YouTube and instagram or our  webpage.
We recommend to subscribe to our Youtube channel and too to follow us on Facebook and instagram to receive regular updates.

On your TV: 

If you have a Smart TV, games console or streaming device (like an Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Chromecast etc.), you can watch the forum through your TV with the YouTube app.
Just search Therme Art on YouTube and click the subscribe button to view the stream and to receive notifications when we go live.

If attending the Wellbeing Culture Forum, we suggest that you use a headset if possible, and to find a quiet place without distractions. If you are in a noisy place, we kindly request that you mute yourself in order to avoid disrupting the discussion.

We look forward to seeing you soon!