On cohabiting was a discussion, walk and a screening event focusing on Chiswick Eyot, a small island on the river Thames. The event was part of the ongoing work by artist Arja Renell and is based on her long term enquiry into the disappearance of the eyot due to Mitten Crab and Himalayan Balsam.
Artistic research, conversations and observations have built up over several years of following the work of various researchers, Old Chiswick Protection Society and Thames 21 who have co-organised restoration works on Chiswick Eyot.
The question is not only about understanding the complexity of simultaneously occurring human and ecological activities and their impacts. It is also, perhaps even more importantly, about understanding the role of human involvement as such.
The introduction of the concept of cohabiting is intended as a term around which we can open up room for discussion and thought, where we recognise our position as being part of, not separate. It might enable us, even to question the questions we are asking ourselves in this time of accelerated environmental change.
Chiswick House Gardens provides a contextual setting for discussing the role of colonialism and global trade in the intentional as well as unintentional spread of many of the species which are now considered alien invasive.
The event took place on the 18.10.2022 at Chiswick Pier Trust with the support of the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland.