Part 2 of Q&A with the Filmmakers of "Play Again" at the 2010 Artivist Film Festival

This episode introduces the practice of Taiwanese artist Wu Mali （吳瑪悧）as an early anchor for regenerative artivism in East Asia. Moving from a polluted suburban creek at the edge of Taipei to river basins, a former naval kitchen on Cijin Island, and finally a project focused on one cubic centimeter of soil, the episode traces how Wu treats art as environmental infrastructure rather than isolated objects. Listeners will hear how Art as Environment: A Cultural Action at Plum Tree Creek turned a neglected waterway into a watershed commons through walking, mapping, school programs, and breakfast gatherings with residents and hydrologists; how river projects such as By the River, On the River, Of the River and Taipei Tomorrow as a Lake Again reframe Taipei as a vulnerable floodplain; how Cijin Kitchen and Cijin's tongue use cooking and storytelling in a former naval dormitory to surface maritime labor, migration, and coastal change; and how To Reconstruct 1 cm³ of Land, It Requires a Centennial foregrounds soil timescales and micro-acts of cultivation. Across these cases, the episode situates Wu's work within ecofeminist, community-based strategies that link environmental repair to everyday care, pedagogy, and local governance. Keywords Wu Mali; Taiwan; socially engaged art; community art; eco-art; environmental humanities; regenerative artivism; regenerative aesthetics; ecofeminism; watershed commons; Plum Tree Creek; Cijin Kitchen; Cijin's tongue; To Reconstruct 1 cm³ of Land, It Requires a Centennial; river city; climate adaptation; soil and land; art and governance; public pedagogy Key references Bamboo Curtain Studio. "Art as Environment: A Cultural Action at Plum Tree Creek." Project documentation. Bamboo Curtain Studio Website. https://bambooculture.com/en/project/2004.html. ecoartspace. "Member Spotlight: Mali Wu." Online feature. ecoartspace Blog. https://ecoartspace.org/Blog/13030578. Goto, Reiko, Margaret Shiu, and Wu Mali. "Ecofeminism: Art as Environment – A Cultural Action at Plum Tree Creek." Women Environmental Artists Directory (WEAD) Magazine. 2014. https://directory.weadartists.org/plum-tree-creek-action/. Harff, Amy Spencer. "Artist Series: Wu Mali, The Godmother of Taiwan's Socially Engaged Art." Eurasia Review. Last modified August 3, 2021. https://www.eurasiareview.com/03082021-artist-series-wu-mali-the-godmother-of-taiwans-socially-engaged-art-analysis/. Tung, Wei-Hsiu. "Art and Aesthetic Environmental Awakening at Plum Tree Creek." The Newsletter (International Institute for Asian Studies), no. 76 (2017): 30. Tung, Wei-Hsiu. "From Social Art Practice to Environmental Aesthetic Awakening and Civil Engagement: The Case Study of Cijin Kitchen." Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art 7, nos. 2–3 (2020): 307–324. Wu, Mali and Bamboo Curtain Studio. "Art as Environment – A Cultural Action at the Plum Tree Creek." Case summary for the Taishin Arts Award. https://www.taishinart.org.tw/en/art-award-year-detail/2012/463. Zheng, Bo. "An Interview with Wu Mali." FIELD: A Journal of Socially-Engaged Art Criticism, no. 4 (2016). https://field-journal.com/no4/an-interview-with-wu-mali. Special note: Chinese names in this episode follow local convention, with the family name given first and the personal name second.

2026

In this introductory episode, I lay out the core idea of regenerative artivism and the scope of the podcast. Speaking from southern California with my attention grounded in East Asia, I reflect on how art, care, and collective imagination help communities confront social and environmental injustice and craft/cultivate more livable futures in damaged places. Using the image of a threatened valley and the community-organized Meinung Yellow Butterfly Festival (美濃黃蝶祭), I introduce regeneration as an ongoing practice rather than a single victory. I explain why Season 1 focuses on women artivists in the greater China region and why their often-overlooked work in creeks, kitchens, schools, villages, and resettlement sites matters for environmental thinking. I situate the podcast in relation to my own long-term field research and to the limits of academic writing, framing the series as a slow, seminar-like space for listening, critical reflection, and grounded imagination. The episode closes with an invitation to consider a place that matters to you, the damages it has absorbed, and the quiet forms of care already at work there. Keywords regenerative artivism; regenerative aesthetics, socially engaged art; environmental art; ecofeminism; environmental humanities; Asia, East Asia; Greater China; community art; environmental justice; social justice; regeneration; care; multispecies relations; public pedagogy; art and ecology; women artivists Key References Demos, T. J. Decolonizing Nature: Contemporary Art and the Politics of Ecology. Berlin: Sternberg Press, 2016. ECOARTASIA. Digital Archive of Chinese Socially and Ecologically Engaged Art. https://ecoartasia.net/. Gablik, Suzi. The Reenchantment of Art. New York: Thames & Hudson, 1991. Haraway, Donna J. Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2016. Kester, Grant H. The One and the Many: Contemporary Collaborative Art in a Global Context. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2011. Lerner, Steve. Sacrifice Zones: The Front Lines of Toxic Chemical Exposure in the United States. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2010. Nixon, Rob. Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2011. Puig de la Bellacasa, María. Matters of Care: Speculative Ethics in More than Human Worlds. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2017. Wang, Meiqin. "Ecology, Environmental Art, and Sustainable Community Building: The Meinung Yellow Butterfly Festival as a Case of Environmental Activism in Taiwan." International Journal of Social Sustainability in Economic, Social, and Cultural Context 19, no. 2 (2023): 75–101. Wang, Meiqin. Socially Engaged Art in Contemporary China: Voices from Below. London: Routledge, 2019. Wang, Meiqin, ed. Socially Engaged Public Art in East Asia. Wilmington, DE: Vernon Press, 2022.

2026

Short documentary about the 2009 artivism youth exchange program in Barcelona. This international exchange brought together young people from different countries to collaborate on artistic activism projects, including workshops, performances, and public installations. The program emphasized creativity, community engagement, and social change through collaborative art-making.

2009

Short documentary about the 2009 NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti) workshop on urban artivism. This educational program explores how art and activism intersect in urban environments, featuring student projects and creative interventions that address social issues through artistic expression in public spaces.

2009

Official trailer for the 2008 Artivist Film Festival, showcasing a diverse selection of films that address human rights, environmental issues, and social justice. This annual international event strengthens the voice of activist artists (artivists) while raising awareness for global causes through the powerful medium of film.

2008

Take your place in the Circle of Protection: SWVA! The Circle of Protection is an interfaith prayer vigil with story, song, and mutual support to gather and uplift neighbors who wish to protect their homes and communities from harmful and extractive development that threatens their public health and safety. This series began on August 13th, 2022 at Eastern Montgomery Park in Elliston, Virginia, and continues Saturday September 10th and Saturday, October 8th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the same location. The Circle aims to bring together frontline community members, long fighters of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, newcomers, and those who demand a future free of damaging development projects. Following an hour program will be a community meal and fellowship. All are welcome! The September 10th Circle will feature: Music from Bernadette 'BJ' Lark Poetry from Mara Eve Robbins Personal story from Crystal Mello Music from Joshua Vana - - - - - -   - - - - - - -   - - - - - - - More Circle of Protection details for September 10th, 2022 here: https://fb.me/e/1LIeftuC3 WHO: You, friends, family, neighbors, community members WHAT: One hour of uplift, one hour of good food & fellowship WHEN: Saturday, September 10th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM WHERE: Eastern Montgomery Park, 5001 Enterprise Drive, Elliston, VA 24087 WHY: To gather community members and advocates, creating space for reconnection, forming new relationships, healing and testimony, and growing our coalition for a future free of harmful and polluting development WHAT TO BRING: Your water bottle, sunscreen, a folding/camp chair, your mask, and a potluck dish! WEATHER & COVID PRECAUTIONS: This event will be held rain or shine. In the case of rain, all attendees can move under the pavilion, and we would encourage folks to wear their masks. In the case of the occurrence of thunder and lightning closeby potentially occurring during the program, we will play things by ear and take a brief intermission if needed where folks can wait in their vehicles. With the desire of preventing further transmission of COVID-19, we will not be moving to an indoor space. RESTROOMS: There is an indoor restroom open to the public at the Elliston Fire Department building where parking is located. PARKING: There are marked and designated sections for the public at the Elliston Fire Department. - - - - - -   - - - - - - -   - - - - - - - "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" performed by the Indian Run Stringband http://www.indianrunstringband.com Videography by Loud Valley Productions http://www.loudvalley.com Special thanks to: Indian Run Stringband, Pastor Ken Gray of Big Spring Baptist Church, Irene Leech, the POWHR Coalition (Protect Our Water, Heritage Rights) and Preserve Montgomery County, VA Connect with the POWHR Coalition to help fight the Mountain Valley Pipeline: https://www.powhr.org Visit ARTivism Virginia on: YouTube    / artivismvirginia   Instagram   / artivism_virginia   Facebook   / artivismvirginia   Vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/artivismvirginia #CircleOfProtection #SWVA #StopMVP

2022

This past Thursday, June 25th 2020, we were joined for our sixth STREET SiNG Workshop by VIDEOmeTRY projectionist Dustin Klein, who's been offering some seriously powerful imaging at Marcus David Peters Circle, a central meeting place in Richmond's calls for racial justice over this past month (June 2020). Follow videometry on Instagram:  / videometry   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STREET SiNG Workshops: A bi-weekly, hour-long Zoom workshop to cultivate skills, art and agreements for future environmental events in Virginia. Each workshop from April 16th to June 25th, 2020 has had time for a teaching, and time for participation. STREET SiNG workshop topics have included: Songs for rallies, marches, actions Call and response chants Poster/sign making Street theater/ritual/sculpture Banner and flag making Banner and shirt silk screening Water Flags Street drum construction and rhythm Followship in action agreements, dynamic listening, signal & safety Mobile sound, megaphone & public address Discussions on systemic racism in our Virginia communities and opportunities to show up in fighting it Ways to show up amid an ongoing pandemic Producer: Kay Ferguson Technical Director: Graham Smith White Co-Producers: Sun Sing Collective Instructors: Virginia ARTivists #SUNSiNG #ARTivismVA #noMVP #noMVPSouthgate #noACP #noCPS #noC4GT #HIPCheck #WEWILLWIN

2021

Join ARTivism Virginia and the SUN SiNG Collective on #EarthDay2021 at 7PM Eastern for one hour of music, spoken word, and action opportunities as we stay connected in resistance to new fossil fuel infrastructure, united in our fights for environmental justice, and in together in solidarity for a livable future! ------- SPECIAL GUESTS for April 22nd, 2021 ------- *Høly River* http://www.holyrivermusic.com *Jason Crazy Bear Campos-Keck* *Kay Ferguson* ------- ACTION ALERT ------- Sign up today for the No MVP Southgate Pipeline Water Walk on Sunday, May 2nd! https://actionnetwork.org/events/no-mvp-southgate-pipeline-water-walk https://www.facebook.com/events/481129893323646/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JOIN ARTIVISM’S WATER QUILT PROJECT: https://www.waterquiltproject.org Follow the Water Quilt Project here: http://www.facebook.com/artivismvirginia/ Our partners in the Water Quilt Project: - Appalachian Voices: http://www.appvoices.org/ - POWHR Coaltion: http://www.powhr.org/ - Haw River Assembly: http://www.hawriver.org/ - Preserve Monroe: http://indiancreekwatershedassociation.org/preservemonroe ------- IN THIS PROGRAM ------- “Ain’t Gonna Lie” Composed by Bernadette “BJ” Lark & Camry HD Arranged & performed by the SUN SiNG Collective “Blue Ridge Mountain” Composed by Alynda Segarra (Hurray for the Riff Raff) Performed by Høly River with Graham Smith-White Inter-Tribal Women’s Honoring Song Performed by Jason Crazy Bear Campos-Keck “I Hear Them All” Written by Ketch Secor & David Rawlings Performed by the SUN SiNG Collective “Høly River” Composed by Laney Sullivan & Jameson Price (Høly River) Performed by the SUN SiNG Collective “Weaving Waters” Composed by Bernadette “BJ” Lark with the SUN SiNG Collective Grandmother’s Honoring Song from Tuscarora singer Pura Fe Performed by Jason Crazy Bear Campos-Keck “Which Side Are You On?” Composed by Florence Reece Additional lyrics & arrangement by the SUN SiNG Collective “And it’s a...” / “Pandemic Spring II” / “The Day’s Motion” Written and read by Kay Ferguson “Elevate” Composed by Bernadette “BJ” Lark Arranged & performed by Bernadette “BJ” Lark, Gabe Gavin, Camry Harris & Joshua Vana “You Are Not Alone” Written by Jeff Tweedy Performed by Joshua Vana “Water Is Life” Composed by Bernadette “BJ” Lark Additional Composition by CamryHD Arranged & performed by the SUN SiNG Collective Watch “Water Is Life” again here: https://youtu.be/hSL9m7IOKuE Stream here: https://open.spotify.com/track/3NWYhiGnLdoGcN3E7qQMRW?si=xB7U0LXeSqO4oqYCPVBwWg Download here to benefit the POWHR Coalition: https://sunsingcollective.bandcamp.com/track/water-is-life - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit ARTivism Virginia on: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/artivismvirginia Instagram https://www.instagram.com/artivism_virginia Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artivismvirginia Vimeo https://www.vimeo.com/artivismvirginia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The SUN SiNG Collective was formed in 2019 as a project of ARTivism Virginia, featuring visual artists & musicians using their art to support the fight against the Mountain Valley and the now-cancelled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUN SiNG iN PLACE: An ARTivism Virginia Concert Producer: Joshua Vana Technical Director: Graham Smith-White Co-producers: SUN SiNG Collective members Bernadette "BJ" Lark, Camry Harris, Emily Blankenship-Tucker, Gabe Gavin, Graham Smith-White, Laney Sullivan, Lilly Bechtel, and Joshua Vana, ARTivism Virginia Co-Director Kay Ferguson Projects of SUN SiNG Collective members: Camry Harris: https://www.facebook.com/camryhd-106381804491068 Emily Blankenship-Tucker: https://www.afterjackband.com/ Gabe Gavin: Bhakti Boyz - https://www.facebook.com/bhaktiboyz/; Positive Collective - https://www.facebook.com/PositiveCollective/ Graham Smith-White: https://www.solarpoweredmusic.com/ Laney Sullivan: https://www.holyrivermusic.com/ Lilly Bechtel: https://www.lillybechtel.com/ Kay Ferguson: https://www.facebook.com/waterislifeprotectit/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #EarthDay #ARTivism #SUNSiNGiNPLACE #WaterIsLife #noMVP #noMVPSouthgate #noCPS #noC4GT #noDAPL #StopLine3 #noByhaliaPipeline #WEWILLWIN

2021

"Water Is Life" is the second original recording by the SUN SiNG Collective, written by and featuring Bernadette "BJ" Lark and CamryHD. Inspired by indigenous-led resistance to the fossil fuel industry, "Water Is Life" was produced by ARTivism Virginia, a volunteer organization which provides a supported connection between artists and activists resisting new fossil fuel infrastructure in Virginia and the surrounding region. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3NWYhi... Download on Bandcamp to benefit POWHR - Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights: https://sunsingcollective.bandcamp.co... For more info on POWHR, please visit: https://www.powhr.org “Water Is Life” was filmed on these waters: Little Stony Creek & Sinking Creek, Giles County, VA (threatened by the Mountain Valley Pipeline) Chickahominy River, Charles City County, VA (threatened by the proposed Chickahominy Power Station and C4GT power plant) Back Bay, Shipps Bay, & Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach, VA (threatened by climate change) Thousands more are threatened by the fossil fuel industry and climate change. So what we gonna do? #CleanItUp ------- ------- ------- Visit ARTivism Virginia on: Instagram   / artivism_virginia   Facebook   / artivismvirginia   Vimeo https://www.vimeo.com/artivismvirginia ------- ------- ------- “WATER IS LIFE” Composed by Bernadette "BJ" Lark Additional composition: CamryHD Arranged and performed by the SUN SiNG Collective Bernadette “BJ” Lark (vocals) CamryHD (drums, percussion, vocals) Emily Blankenship-Tucker (vocals, electric piano) Gabe Gavin (drums, percussion) Graham Smith-White (bass, percussion) Joshua Vana (guitar) Laney Sullivan (vocals, percussion) Lilly Bechtel (vocals) Also featuring: Jonah Kane West on electric organ And the Water Is Life Choir of Roanoke & Ferrum, VA, under the direction of Bernadette “BJ” Lark and Emily Blankenship-Tucker: Amazetta Anderson Sylena Cammack Chereice Davis Khyree English Jamie Gilbert Alanjha Harris Promise Harris Raihma Harris DeRon Lark Erica Leed Alexander Lyons Haley Moore Janice Ramsey Semirah Staton Camrya Vo Artistic Director: Joshua Vana Producer: Kay Ferguson Cinematography & Editing: Patrick Fitzgerald Additional cinematography: Stace Carter Recorded by: Patrick Cavanagh & Jordan Harman at the Jefferson Center Music Lab, Roanoke VA (December 2019) Graham Smith-White at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, Callaway, VA (March 2020) and Native Pond, Ivy, VA (Summer 2020) Jonah Kane West, Richmond, VA (March 2020) Mixed and edited by Graham Smith-White and Joshua Vana at White Star Sound, Louisa, VA Mastered at Tonal Park, Takoma Park, MD Special thanks to: Jordan Harman & students of Jefferson Center Music Lab Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, Callaway, VA Russell Chisholm of the POWHR Coalition Lynn Peace Wilson Chris Keup of White Star Sound Virginia Greene Illustration Stace Carter Geoff Luck In loving memory of Reverend Robert Dilday of the Interfaith Alliance for Climate Justice #WaterIsLife ​#SUNSiNG​ #ARTivismVA​ #noMVP​ #noMVPSouthgate​ #noCPS​ #noC4GT​ #noDAPL​ #StopLine3​ #NoByhaliaPipeline​ #WEWILLWIN​ © 2021 The SUN SiNG Collective

2021

💌📍You are invited to attend our first “Stitching Story and Silence Circle” for the Water Quilt Project on Monday evening, February 22nd at 8PM on Zoom!📍💌 🔍Pre-register here & save the registration confirmation link!🔎 https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMu... This circle is space for quiet, easy fellowship and shared work, and there will be two more – one in March, and a third in April. To learn about these and all the exciting ways to participate in the Water Quilt Project, sign on here: www.tinyurl.com/WaterQuiltProject Facebook event link for the February Stitching Story and Silence Circle is here: Stitching Story & Silence Circle February The Water Quilt Project is a collaboration of ARTivism Virginia, Appalachian Voices, POWHR-Protect Our Water Heritage Rights, Haw River Assembly (NC), and Preserve Monroe (WV) to honor and protect the waterways of Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina threatened by the Mountain Valley Pipeline. ✨💙Please join us!💙✨ Follow the Water Quilt Project here:   / artivismvirginia   Our partners in the Water Quilt Project: Appalachian Voices: http://www.appvoices.org/ POWHR Coaltion: http://www.powhr.org/ Haw River Assembly: http://www.hawriver.org/ Preserve Monroe: http://indiancreekwatershedassociatio... Music: “Hallelujah” - Written by Karisha Longaker & Sarah Nutting of MaMuse Performed by Emily Blankenship-Tucker, Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, and Bernadette Lark Water Quilt graphic by Virginia Greene Illustration 🔥#noMVP #noMVPSouthgate #WaterQuiltProject #ARTivism #WaterIsLife🔥

2021

ARTivism Virginia, in collaboration with Appalachian Voices, POWHR, Haw River Assembly (NC) and Preserve Monroe (WV) is pleased to invite you to participate in the Water Quilt Project to honor and protect the waterways of Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina threatened by the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Water protectors from these directly impacted regions as well as anyone from around the globe are invited. There are many ways to participate and we hope you will find your own way among them. To learn more and participate in the project fill out this form: www.tinyurl.com/WaterQuiltProject Individuals can create a square for the Water Quilt that gives voice to the water or the waterway they love and value. Organizations and faith communities can endorse the project as Patchwork Partners. All can contribute a short video or photo for our “Weaving Waters” song video. Anyone can attend one of three monthly “Stitching Story & Silence Circles” and share their story, their quilt square creation or just a quiet time to sew together in this time of distance and concern. You can choose to make a square for a regional neighbor who is directly impacted or who is working to protect our water future in other ways. We hope many will invite others to join the project including and especially those who may not yet be aware of the Mountain Valley Pipeline challenge. Follow the Water Quilt Project here: ARTivism on Facebook:   / artivismvirginia   YouTube:    / artivismvirginia   Email us with your questions and ideas here: waterquiltproject@gmail.com The Water Quilt squares will be assembled by ARTivism Virginia and completed squares should be in our hands by May 1st, 2021. How and when we fully finish and bring the Water Quilt to our communities is, of course, pandemic safety dependent, but we dream of a quilting bee gathering by the banks of a Virginia river come June. If this cannot be, we will send the Quilt on tour to a safe outdoor space near you. Join us! Music: “Hallelujah” - Written by Karisha Longaker & Sarah Nutting of MaMuse, performed by Emily Blankenship-Tucker, Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, and Bernadette Lark Animation by Zap McConnell https://www.zapmcconnell.com/about Water Quilt Project graphic design by Virginia Greene Illustration http://www.virginiagreeneillustration... Our partners in the Water Quilt Project: Appalachian Voices: http://www.appvoices.org/ POWHR Coaltion: http://www.powhr.org/ Haw River Assembly: http://www.hawriver.org/ Preserve Monroe: http://indiancreekwatershedassociatio... #noMVP #noMVPSouthgate #WaterQuiltProject #ARTivism #WaterIsLife

2021

Entrega del Premio Nicolás Guillén Landrián del V Festival de Cine INSTAR, con la presencia del jurado de la competencia oficial: el curador y crítico Jonathan Ali, y los cineastas Joanna Montero y Francesco Montagner. Palabras de clausura del evento por su directora ejecutiva, la artista Tania Bruguera, y su director artístico, el cineasta y curador José Luis Aparicio.

2025