ORDEM DAS COISAS _ ORDER OF THINGS is a cross-disciplinary project - Art, Science and Philosophy - that investigates the themes of Homeostasis and Deep Ecology. It had its first presentation at the National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon between November 7, 2024 and January 12, 2025. It includes a contemporary art exhibition, performance and an educational program aimed at different audiences. It has the artistic direction of Salomé Nascimento, the institutional support of the General Directorate of Arts and foresees the possibility of expansion into other spaces and contexts.
The title is a direct reference to António Damásio's work - THE STRANGE ORDER OF THINGS - dedicated to the concept of Homeostasis. Common principle regulating the maintenance of life, development and flourishing of all living organisms, as well as, according to the author, the basis of complex social and cultural responses that in this ‘strange order’ have their origin in the simplest forms.
Deep ecology, a term introduced by the Norwegian philosopher Arne Næss in the 1970s, is another important reference for this project and complements Damásio's reflection, proposing a systemic vision of existence.
Næss defines the principle of biocentrism and points out:
“That all beings have the same value and right to life, to achieve their own forms of development and self-realization. And since everything is interconnected, harming nature is inevitably harming ourselves.’
The project is an ode to the return to simplicity, to communion with nature, to co-existence and interdependence, seeking to reconcile and overcome oppositions - body / mind, natural / cultural, organic / inorganic, emotion / reason, human / nature - recognizing them as integral aspects of a dynamic balance of diluted and permeable borders.
Based on the concepts of Deep Ecology and Homeostasis, the hegemonic position of human beings on the planet is questioned, presenting a critical look at the human/nature relationship.
A reminder of the need to return to the body and its organicity, as a path to recovering connection with the whole and sustainable integration into the ecosystem.
The inauguration, with doors open to the public on November 7th at 6pm, features a performance in the main atrium of the Museum _ Live Painting & sound with the collaboration of Iúri Oliveira, followed by a visit to the exhibition.
The closing ceremony will take place on January 12, 2025 with the presentation of the work of the Fine Arts students, developed in the laboratory led by the artist Salomé Nascimento in partnership with the Ceramics teacher, the artist Marta Castelo.
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