Encounter Trees – Modena x Karlsruhe

Fasanenschlösschen, Friday, June 27 at 06:00 PM GMT+2

[↓ German Version Below ↓]

As part of ArchitekturZeit, the two UNESCO Creative Cities Modena and Karlsruhe engage in a creative dialogue. The exhibition Encounter Trees – Modena x Karlsruhe explores the fascinating relationship between humans, nature, and design. At the heart of the exhibition lies the visionary work of Italian architect Cesare Leonardi (1935–2021), whose practice spans architecture, urban planning, photography, design, and art. His interdisciplinary approach combines design research with artistic experimentation—an invitation to understand design not only as form, but as a cultural force.

Encounter Trees highlights two central aspects of Leonardi’s work: his extensive tree drawings and his sustainable furniture design. Together with Franca Stagi (1937–2008), he documented over 300 tree species, analyzing their shadow patterns and seasonal color changes to inform the design of parks and shared public spaces. Starting in the 1980s, he also developed the Solids, a series of modular, handcrafted wooden furniture pieces as a sustainable alternative to industrial design.

Leonardi’s interdisciplinary approach is brought to life in the exhibition through original drawings, prototypes, photographs, and multimedia installations. Visitors are invited to freely explore different thematic areas and rediscover the interplay between design, nature, and urban landscapes in the unique setting of the Fasanenschlösschen. The exhibition is complemented by interactive workshops that encourage hands-on exploration of design principles and direct engagement with the trees in the surrounding Fasanengarten.

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Im Rahmen der ArchitekturZeit treten die beiden UNESCO Creative Cities Modena und Karlsruhe in einen kreativen Dialog. Die Ausstellung Encounter Trees – Modena x Karlsruhe erkundet die faszinierende Beziehung zwischen Mensch, Natur und Design. Im Mittelpunkt der Ausstellung steht das visionäre Werk des italienischen Architekten Cesare Leonardi (1935–2021), dessen Arbeit sich in der Schnittstelle zwischen Architektur, Stadtplanung, Fotografie, Design und Kunst bewegt. Seine interdisziplinäre Praxis vereint gestalterische Forschung mit künstlerischem Experiment – Eine Einladung, Design nicht nur als Form, sondern als kulturelle Kraft zu verstehen.

Encounter Trees beleuchtet zwei zentrale Aspekte von Leonardis Schaffen: Seine umfassenden Zeichnungen von Bäumen sowie sein nachhaltiges Möbeldesign. Gemeinsam mit Franca Stagi (1937-2008) dokumentierte er über 300 Baumarten und untersuchte ihre Schattenwirkung sowie jahreszeitlichen Farbveränderungen für die Gestaltung von Parks und kollektiven Räumen. Ab den 1980er-Jahren entwickelte er zudem die Solids, eine Serie modularer, handwerklich gefertigter Holzmöbel, als nachhaltige Alternative zum industriellen Design.

Leonardis interdisziplinärer Ansatz wird in der Ausstellung durch Originalzeichnungen, Prototypen, Fotografien und multimediale Installationen erlebbar. Besucherinnen und Besucher können sich frei durch die verschiedenen Themenbereiche bewegen und die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Design, Natur und Stadtlandschaft im einzigartigen Umfeld des Fasanenschlösschens neu entdecken. Ergänzt wird die Ausstellung durch interaktive Workshops, die dazu einladen, die Design-Prinzipien praktisch zu erkunden und in Kontakt mit den Bäumen im unmittelbaren Umfeld des Fasanengartens zu treten.

https://keepkarlsruheboring.org/event/encounter-trees-modena-x-karlsruhe

#CallForArtists - must be #Indigenous & in #Canada.

Please boost this opportunity for #ArtistInResidence so those who qualify & are interested can apply.

#DARC #IndigenousResidency Program
Call for #MediaArt Applications
Deadline: June 30, 2025
Duration: October 1 – 31, 2025

What Is the DARC Indigenous Residency Program?

Presented with the support of The Hnatyshyn Foundation, DARC’s Indigenous Residency is a one-month intensive on-site artist residency, offered to mid-career #Indigenous ( #FirstNations / #Inuit & #Métis) artists who are seeking to develop their current practice, experiment with a new medium, or continue an existing project.

Artists in residence are provided with access to DARC’s facilities, including the DARC Microcinema, Soundstage, Digital Edit Suite, and Recording Studio. Artists also have access to an array of audio-visual equipment and up to 16 hours of advisor time for the duration of their residency.

Following the residency, artists are expected to participate in an artist talk to discuss their practice and share works in progress or any completed projects from their residency.

Residency Support Includes:

Artist residency fee of $2,500;
Up to $4,000 in DARC equipment and facility waivers for the duration of the residency;
Access to DARC technical consultations;
An opportunity to present your work publicly through a screening, exhibition, or artist talk;
A fee of $520 for an artist talk or presentation of your work according to current CARFAC-RAAV fee schedule;
Honorarium for parking or transit for local artists;
A fee of $1504 (CARFAC-RAAV fee schedule) for an artistic advisor of your choosing or Indigenous advisor recommended by DARC for 16 hrs of consultation;
For artists who are not based in the Ottawa – Gatineau region: Up to $1500 housing subsidy
and up to $1750 in travel expenditures;
A full festival pass to the Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival;
Ongoing support through membership at DARC following the completion of the residency, including free access to workshops for one year.

Accessibility

DARC is an Accessible venue. All doors at DARC have accessibility buttons to press for automatic entry. DARC’s main entrance is located at 67 Nicholas Street which is fully wheelchair accessible. Elevator access is available from 9am – 11pm.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to Extended Access members of DARC who are seeking to expand their current practice, experiment with a new medium, or continue an existing project. Applicants who are not currently DARC members will be granted a free Extended Access membership, provided they agree to DARC’s membership agreement when applying.

How to Apply

Applications for Indigenous Residency are accepted through AMS (Arts Management System):

https://digitalartsresourcecentre.ca/indigenous-residency/#:~:text=concernant%20votre%20application.-,READY%20TO%20APPLY%3F,-Upon%20request%2C%20DARC

To learn more, contact:
access@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca
(613) 238-7648

Digital Arts Resource Centre (formerly SAW Video) is a not-for-profit, artist-run media art centre in Ottawa, Ontario that fosters the growth and development of artists through access to equipment, training, mentorship, and programming.

67 Nicholas Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9
digitalartsresourcecentre.ca