Becoming Regenerative!

The Launch of Be-Coming Regenerative in London

Reflecting on an inspiring journey to London I am gratefull an excited. The Lauch of the Be-Coming Regenerative was a powerful gathering dedicated to advancing and catalysing Regenerative innovation. I was honored to be invited by the initiators, Tuukka Toivonen, PhD (Oxon.) and Delfina Fantini van Ditmar and co-investigators Onya Idoko, PhD and Dr Ida Telalbasic , FHEA . To explore transformative approaches in response to the enviromental and sociatal challenges of our time. Held at the Royal School of Arts, the event offered rich insights into how regenative goals are transforming industries like fashion, archicture, biomaterials and even (artificial)intelligence. 

The energy in the room was palpable. Author James Bridle shared reflections on regeneration, setting a tone for both deep contemplation and action. He noted that AI and corporate take from humans the thing we love doing, and then sell it back to us. Like our time, attention, the joy of making, the connection through music making and being creative, simple enjoyment of the place and timebased everyday. -Mindblowing to let that sink in-. Heather Barnett captivated us with a demonstration of non-human intelligence by emulating the movement of slime mold. Bringing the entire audience to move in sync like a cloud of sparrows. a vivid reminder of internconnectedness.

 Delfina Fantini van Ditmar presentation highlighted the unique role of art and arts education in envisioning and prototyping futures that are just, alive and regenerative. She underscored the potential and responsibility of art education as it has abilities such as ecological imagination, holistic approaches and transdiciplinary collaboration. Ways of working that are fundamental in shaping not just the arts but the entire way of thinking we need to cultivate. 

To my delight, two colleagues from my regenerative textile think-tank, Kirsten Scott PhD, FRSA, FHEA and alice holloway were also able to attended. With Alice asking the smart question in the room, somewhere along the lines of: 'how can regenerative approaches exist and thrive within our current dominant systems of enclosure, extraction and exploitation? Reminding us of the challenges ahead. 

It sparked ideas for collaboration, both playfully creative as robust and grounded. As James Bridle had reminded us that that is what makes us thriving humans. looking forward to what is ahead in this Regenerative Journey, in which we are not alone, but in a multidiciplinairy community: rigorous science and business, deep systemic thinking, ecological practise and radical imagination, all talk to each other and make this a the tangible emergence of a regenerative world, deeply rooted in the soil of the real.link to project

Grateful for the support of DutchCulture that supported this trip. Exciting times lay ahead as we nurture and grow these conversations and collaborations.