The System Change HIVE: revealing hidden paths
“Every human being is an artist, a freedom being, called to participate in transforming and reshaping the conditions, thinking and structures that shape and inform our lives.” Joseph Beuys (1921–1986)
The multiple crises we face, from climate change to inequality to mental health, are deeply interrelated. A new path is urgently needed. In a powerful and timely response to this call, a Brighton-based collective of young and established artists have come together to work with experts to imagine new systems - exploring pathways to brighter, fairer and sustainable futures.
The ‘System Change HIVE’ collective are working towards a touring exhibition, including sound, visual and digital art plus an immersive Virtual Reality experience. The aim is to inspire and inform the public about possibilities for new systems based on zero carbon and wellbeing for all. The HIVE project is bringing experts and artists together to explore the questions: ‘what does systemic change mean?’ ‘what radical visions might take hold?’
The HIVE journey began in February 2019; piloting a unique model of embodied learning and co-creation. Meeting weekly, the HIVE is informed by a series of discussions and workshops on systems change ideas/solutions/policy levers/theories, including exploration of our societal ‘progress story’, rapid transformations, work, money and material, social justice in zero carbon futures, cultures of resistance, human identity and changing cities.
The interaction between artists and experts is giving rise to an understanding of a profound truth: each of us has absorbed and embodied values and behaviours of the late capitalist model and the multiple ecological and social crises it has led us to. While powerful interests shape and control our societal progress narrative, as well as the solutions on offer, and shut down the scope of what is ‘feasible,’ might the single most significant barrier to changing the system be the way each of us thinks and feels?
The exhibition, Hidden Paths, will assert a new kind of creative, solutions-led activism offering informed visions of better tomorrows and how we might get there. Three conceptual spaces will link the journey from our current failing and destructive systems to perceptions of meaningful, alternative futures: Now, Change and Possible. The first confirmed exhibition venue is the Brighton ONCA gallery during the Brighton Digital Festival in October 2019.
The HIVE will also lead to new learnings on ways to communicate system change, and insights for change makers about how new systems might feel and function. A Participatory Open Session was held in Brighton on Wednesday 15 May for community groups to share their values, experiences, insight and hopes for the future. A press event is also being planned for the summer, date TBC, to take place on the ONCA barge at Brighton Marina.
More information is available on the System Change HIVE website: systemchangehive.org and please get involved on social media, where your thoughts, feelings, ideas and support are warmly welcomed and valued:
Who’s involved?
· Financial support for the project is provided by Arts Council England and Lush Charity Pot.
· Centre for Spatial, Environmental and Cultural Politics, University of Brighton
· ESRC STEPS Centre, Institute of Development Studies and SPRU, University of Sussex
· ONCA
