Join us for an afternoon screening of ‘Congenial Soils and Favourable Situations’ (2022) a film by artists in residence Rachel McBrinn and Alison Scott. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with curator Anne Daffertshofer to discuss the film and their research so far at St Andrews Botanic Gardens. At the interval, we will enjoy pine needle tea made fresh from the garden and a walk among the trees.
About the Film:
‘Congenial Soils and Favourable Situations’ is a poetic document of collaborative learning which expands from observational documentary footage, conversations, and a critical engagement with place.
Responding to the Scottish rainforest, Congenial Soils and Favourable Situations was filmed across the Argyll area, taking us from the experimental mono-cultural forestry of Kilmun Arboretum, to sites of Atlantic Rainforest at Cormonachan Community Woodland, Taynish National Nature Reserve, Barnluasgan, and recent planting of native tree species at Cove Park.
The film moves from blocks of planted forest to fragmented pockets of native woodland—from one management system to another. Paying close attention to the language and history of forest management and how this might develop into the future, we ask, what is allowed to grow, and what is not?
Congenial Soils and Favourable Situations was commissioned by Cove Park and ACT in 2022, who together form the Argyll Climate Beacon. This Sharing Event is the second in a series. Thanks to Creative Scotland Open Fund for supporting the project ‘After Glass’.
About the Artists’ Residency:
For their project ‘After Glass’, artists in residence Rachel McBrinn and Alison Scott are working with SABG conducting on site research over the course of 2024. Together, they are focussing on botanical conservation, maintenance, display and re-production, as well as the duplication of these practices across multiple sites. A key focus of their research is the recent decommissioning of SABG’s glasshouses, and ideologies and histories these structures represent.
Alison Scott often makes work in collaboration with other artists and groups of people. Her work as an artist, writer and art-worker is research-led, driven by film, performance and writing practices. Her works tend to look at socio-ecological issues, and she has recently started a practice-based PhD at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, focussing on art, forestry and the commons.
Rachel McBrinn is an artist and filmmaker based in Edinburgh. Her filmmaking practice is rooted in conversation and relationship building, and often emerges from long term site-responsive and archival research.
Access
Funding is available to reduce barriers to attendance - if you would benefit from this support, such as travel funding, please get in touch with the St Andrews Botanic Gardens team at info@standrewsbotanic.org
For directions and travel advice please go to - https://www.standrewsbotanic.org/visit/
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