The Art of Noticing

Inspired by Anna Tsing's The Mushroom at the End of the World (2015), The Art of Noticing workshop presents timely lessons on re-orienting our attention, advocating the importance of 'looking around rather than ahead' as the art of living and co-surviving on this planet. Featuring a wide range of exercises on noticing the plants in their own environments, introduced by plant neuroscientist Paco Calvo, this workshop aims to transcend the boundaries of a human-centric perception and challenge our notions of what consciousness is. By 'putting ourselves in the shoes of a plant' through various participatory activities, we will attempt to overcome 'plant blindness', learn how to observe and appreciate plant behavior at the pace dictated by nature, leaving with a genuine understanding of plant intelligence and sentience, as well as a freshened perspective on other-than-human ways of experiencing embodiment and decision-making. 

The workshop is conducted by plant neuroscientist, director of MINT (The Minimal Intelligence) Lab, and author of Planta Sapiens (2022) Paco Calvo. 

AS PART OF OTHER MINDS

OTHER MINDS is a cross-disciplinary program centered around the ways of thinking and seeing in more-than-human ways. It has been created in response to the curatorial vision of Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024, After Rain, which embodies revitalization and renewal. It situates itself within a wider narrative of the co-existence of humans and non-humans.

Neuroscience has proved that the human brain cannot grasp the world as it is. If the objective world exists, how can we even come close to discovering it? 

The scientific and culturological tools developed to date allow for an experience of the “other”, or alternative ways of perceiving the world. With OTHER MINDS, we have assembled an array of scientists, thinkers, and artists to elaborate on plant-animal-microorganism-human relations through the new findings in neurosciences, biology, and anthropology, as well as through the metaphorical findings of the artworks presented at the Biennale. 

We will look closer at how non-human beings interact with reality, communicate, and create fascinating entanglements through their relationship with others, including humans. By receiving theoretical and practical insights from the program’s contributors, we might probably be able to see the world around us a bit closer to what it is — a world where all life is thoughtful life. 

The program was created in collaboration with Anna Kirikova and Daria Ozerskaya.