COMPOST – The Open Bin (Composting Knowledge)
Collective-driven, process-based performative exhibitionary project

This communal exhibitionary project – a sequential and choreographed series of interlocking events on the topic of “Composting Knowledge” – offers an evolving programming at the OnCurating Project Space (Ausstellungsstrasse 16, Zurich) both on-site and online from 10 March to 17 June 2022 with one and more events taking place every week and weekend (Thu 6pm / Fri 8pm / Sat 7pm) for 14 weeks.

Statement
For documenta fifteen (2022), Jakarta-based collective and lead Artistic Directors ruangrupa initiated an international and collaborative network for alternative knowledge production named the “Composting Knowledge” network, (in which institutions and initiatives such as Färgfabriken, GAP Tokyo, ICA Sofia, JJ and Donkey Mill Art Center, Knowbotiqs , Myvillages, YCAR Toronto take part. ruangrupa’s “Composting Knowledge” is an active experiment to imagine alternative terrains for knowledge production and sharing, taking place in collaboration with ruruHaus, the main activity house in Kassel, and a wide range of institutions, initiatives, practices, collectives and individuals around the world. The idea is to envision possible supporting systems for institutions to cooperate and engage in critical ways, by exploring questions and learning  from different perspectives, practices, traditions, and backgrounds – breaking at the same time canonical and privileged knowledge systems.

Following the process-based and communal methodologies proposed by ruangrupa, we will gather our own “Open Bin” and fertilise the soil for composting ideas and proposals at the OnCurating Project Space. Within our “COMPOST – the Open Bin” programme, various activities will come into contact, ideas will be displayed, discussed and digested, a shared process will be activated, and a space of transition will emerge.

As a curatorial group, we understand “Composting” not only as the natural or direct contact transformation process of digestion/fermentation/composting, but also as a cultural and political articulation, as ways of self-sustaining, of reflecting upon epistemologies, and creating new formations of joyful resistance.

The project invites diverse artists and collectives to come together with the aim to explore composting practices (literally and figuratively) and to share moments. Thanks to the modular structure proposed by Zurich-based artist duo Stirnimann-Stojanovic, the various events – social in nature and in all sorts of forms – will consist of screenings, dinners, roundtables, exhibitions, performances, talks, to bebe open and accessible to all in a hybrid format for its whole duration.

“Composting is growing. It’s a process which calls for a change in our understanding of the subject of knowledge, an uncontrolled mutation of ingredients, which transcend a cartesian or logical system in the production of experiences, and facts but instead transform every material collected in fertile soil for our community. As the water is part of every living being and primal, juicy engine for the rotting activity, so the compostable transformation is nourished by every idea, intervention, activity and contribution by withdrawing from disciplines and one-sided knowledge and expertise forms. Each person is welcomed to participate as a cultivator, contributing with awareness to a multi-ingredients compostable practice. The material for a florid mixture is brought from friends, are those guests, one-time visitors, students, researchers, from all corners of the globe, each one will be a grower and harvester of an abundant, yet non-definable knowledge pot. For the shared growth of yet unknown knowledgeable terrains we invite you to contribute to this compost pot.”

– Giulia Rossini and Tyuki Imamura on behalf of Compost Network