Ronald Kolb
Post-Exhibitionary Practice

https://callforcurators.com/call/study-trip-lisbon-art-practices-of-sustainability-and-sustenance-in-the-exhibitionary/

Study Trip to Lisbon “Art Practices of Sustainability and Sustenance in the Exhibitionary”
Organised by Ronald Kolb, in collaboration with Liliana Escalhão and Paula König

Offered by the Centre for Continuing Education, ZHdK
19–22 March 2026, Portugal

This experimental study trip to Lisbon offered an intensive five-day exploration of art as a transformational practic. It intertwines contemporary art, exhibitionary practices and ecological–economic modes of sustenance. We visited a range of institutions and self-organised initiatives addressing ecologies/economies, practices of sustenance, and postmigratory perspectives—opening space for diverse practices and in-depth exchange. Particular attention was paid to the operational conditions: exhibition formats and artistic strategies that move in forms of coming together, producing and learning together. We will learn how contemporary projects articulate and practise relative autonomy and create sustainable infrastructures.

The programme included meetings Luisa Santos (Artistic Director of Institution(ing)s), curator Margarida Mendes, Ritó Natálio (Terra Batida) as well as visits to Gulbenkian, CCB and Hangar, Horta do Regador (neigbhourhood garden), Espaço Parasita (Terra Batida / Parasita) with Rito Natalio & Laila Nunez at Hangar, Kunsthalle Lissabon. A one-day excursion to the dry Alentejo region, which is increasingly affected by soil erosion and monoculture, included visits to (agro-)ecological and architectural initiatives, exploring permaculture projects such as Oficinas do Convento with João Rolaça, Cooperativa Casa Branca with  Tadelakt Portugal and Quinta de abelhas with Marc Leiber.