Sympoiesis Exhibition

Sympoiesis is a term derived from the Greek words for “together” and “creation”, coined by Canadian ecologist Beth Dempster in the late 1990s to describe the way in which organisms co-create their ecosystems. Philosopher Donna Haraway popularized the concept of Sympoiesis, extending it to highlight the deep interdependence of all life forms through the processes of “making-with” and “becoming-with” each other. Haraway’s vision encourages us to see humans not as separate from nature, but as part of a web of mutual relationships with other species and environments. From this background we come to her concept of “natureculture”, the inseparability of the natural and the cultural, which asks us to rethink our place within the world. As symbiotic organisms, lichens are a good model for exploring this subject. Other biological examples include the human microbiome, where bacteria, fungi, and viruses shape our health, digestion, and immunity. An example of how a symbiotic community can be extended into “natureculture” can be found in compost systems, where human cultural wastes are transformed by multispecies collaborations and processes of “making-with” that become organic soil – benefitting humans, non-humans, and the ecosystem. Artists are encouraged to consider alternative ways of living and sustainable responses to today’s complex environmental and social challenges.

When: October 24 - December 11, 2025
Where: Fort Hayes Shot Tower Gallery

Learn More: https://u.osu.edu/livingartecolab/call-for-entry-sympoiesis/