The AABAS (Spanish acronym for Art, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Food and Health) symposium invites the community to discover new farming, research and artistic practices that respond to the current environmental and social crisis.

All citizens are welcome to attend the symposium on 16, 17 and 18 November, where experts in agricultural research, geography, sociology, medicine, environmental activism and, of course, agriculture and art, will join us for a shared reflection on different issues that concern us today.

At the same time, the C3A has invited 4 artists to spend one month (15 October - 15 November) developing experimental approaches to the problems faced in these sectors. The community will be able to view and discuss their projects on open studio days, and a performative presentation will be offered each day of the symposium.

The symposium also includes a workshop for agents of culture and civil society, Artes del Colapso [Arts of Collapse], led by theorist and activist María Ptqk, where participants will reflect on different scenarios for the future of humanity.

Finally, the symbolic highlight of the symposium will be the agro-action Un Parche de Biodiversidad [A Patch of Biodiversity], in which the Culturhaza collective, with the help of the local community, will plant beans, white lupin and weeds on the threshold of the entrance to the C3A building.

Admission to the symposium is free; no advance booking required

Asociación La Fragua (Symposium directors)

In 2010, Asociación La Fragua created the La Fragua Artist Residency programme (Belalcázar-Córdoba). Over the last 7 years, it has undertaken projects related to the production, education, exhibition and promotion of contemporary art in the rural world, exploring problems derived from the loss of biodiversity, the disappearance of traditional rural trades and jobs, depopulation and other issues. Its most recent art and agriculture project is Culto Culinaria, an ongoing cross-disciplinary study that aims to revive and make culinary use of local natural resources. In 2014-2016 the association also operated the independent venue CoMbO (Córdoba), organising a number of exhibitions and educational activities related to the most experimental facet of contemporary art. In addition, La Fragua has curated exhibitions for public and private organisations in Spain and abroad.

Colabora Delegación de Cultura. Ayuntamiento de Córdoba