Nature as Infrastructure, book launch
As part of the online project Nature as Infrastructure by The Winter Office
The landscape architect, Elzélina Van Melle, reviews the publication, Nature As Infrastructure, whilst in conversation with Oleg Koefoed and Hugo Hopping. The publication has been prepared as a summary of artistic research by The Winter Office over the last ten years. The text is based on different design proposals that the group has developed and which are aimed at creating infrastructural imaginations to face challenges produced by the ongoing global climate crisis. This is intended to introduce a discussion about the importance of generating higher standards of spatial justice through the design of urban forests and at generating new roles focused on citizen participation. The book champions non-electoral participation as a means toward the democratization of the design for natural spaces and in order to discover new alternatives for well-being in the interaction between citizens with nature.
Nature as Infrastructure by The Winter Office is the latest edition of the group’s research and it summarizes 10 years of ideas and theories surrounding spatial justice, Nature in cities, and citizen participation. Nature as Infrastructure by The Winter Office has been organized and written by Camilo Montoya, Phd, member of the group, and political science consultant specializing in citizen participation. The publication will be printed and distributed by RSS Press.
Elzélina Van Melle is a French landscape architect specialising in naturalistic planting design, edible gardens and urban greening. She Graduated in Landscape Architecture from Versailles (ENSP), and holds a Bachelor in Applied Arts from ESAA Duperré in Paris. Since relocating to Denmark in 2011, Van Melle has worked to disseminate the thinking of her mentor Gilles Clément through both her teaching at University of Copenhagen. Clément’s Planetary Garden concept has been instrumental to Elzélina’s company, EVM Landskab, which promotes plants and biodiversity in urban development; designing with and not against nature.
Oleg Koefoed, PhD, is an Action-Philosopher based in Copenhagen, Denmark. He has been working with community-driven urban nature and sustainability in cities, neighbourhoods, networks, and organisations, since 2006. Oleg’s methods revolve around sensitisation and creativity, using both analogue and digital approaches to enhancing the way that humans connect to places in the present, as well as their legacies and promises. He runs the action-research agency Growing Pathways and is co-founder of the Action University, the Action School for Urban Nature and Local Sustainability, Climate 4 Culture network and projects such as NaTur i Byen, Dome of Life, and Culture U. Latest of many publications is Koefoed & Burø: In the Name of Chaos. Learning in the Anthropocene (2021).
Hugo Hopping is an American artist who often works with video, photography, drawing and other mediums as part of his conceptual art practice. In addition to his artistic activity, he is involved in writing about art, architecture, and cultural history. He is also the co-founder and director of THE WINTER OFFICE (est. 2010), which is a work-group exploring experimental art and architecture projects. He lives and works in Copenhagen.
