In a three day workshop at the end of February, a group of 150 students from the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture and Urban Design (RAVB) and the Graphic Design (BA) and Non Linear Narrative (MA) departments of the Royal Academy of Visual Arts (KABK) curated the exhibition NOW! DESIGNING IN TIMES OF CLIMATE CRISIS. Given the lockdown there was no chance that the exhibition would be allowed to open to the public, and it was therefore made for Instagram.

FROM APRIL 5 THROUGH MAY 26 ON INSTAGRAM: @downtoearth_now

^{NOW! - Workshop February 2021}

^{picture: RAvB}

IABR–DOWN TO EARTH asks the question: Where can we land? In response, the RAVB and the Graphic Design and Non Linear Narrative departments of KABK dedicated their education programs in the autumn of 2020 to an exploration of how designers can relate to the climate crisis and what action they can take.
How can we design our lives and our living environment in such a way that the future is sustainable? How do we deal with the shortcomings of "modernity as a project"? What values should we embrace and what should we say goodbye to?

For more information about NOW! please click here

^{Reclaiming the Commons}

^{foto: Aad Hoogendoorn}

Looking at the upcoming, final months of DOWN TO EARTH, it now looks like the lockdown measures will be relaxed and that we will be allowed to reopen our doors on June 9. Nothing is certain, but it’s now reasonable to assume that we can. It’s why we’re working on three exhibitions that will be open to the public, starting almost simultaneously in about a month’s time: RECLAIMING THE COMMONS in the Keilezaal in Rotterdam; the WATERSCHOOL M4H+ in the Merwe-Vierhavens area in Rotterdam, in Studio Makkink & Bey’s studio and in public space; and THE HIGH GROUND in the Biesboschhal in Dordrecht.

More info in our Newsletter of May 4

^{Artist's Impression The High Ground, model of De Staart in Dordrecht (Made by Mistake)}

^{picture: Melany van Twuijver}

is a biennale in times of pandemic – an anti-biennale. Instead of compressing a multitude of activities – concentrating them in time and place, inviting as many people as possible, from far and wide, through the same door – we will unfold the program over time. A biennale true to form is simply not possible under the current atypical circumstances.
From September 2020 until the summer of 2021, the IABR will present a series of relatively small exhibitions and other activities. We will also find safe ways to organise a limited number of events, such as work sessions and lectures.

Read the introduction to DOWN TO EARTH by chief curator George Brugmans here

Read more about DROUGHT IN THE DELTA, the first exhibition of DOWN TO EARTH, here

Read more about WHOSE ENERGY IS IT, ANYWAY?, the second exhibition of DOWN TO EARTH, here

Read more about METEOPOLIS, the first partner exhibition of DOWN TO EARTG, here

^{Whose energy is it, anyway?}

^{picture: Aad Hoogendoorn}

Because of the pandemic, all plans and dates are subject to change. So, check our website and agenda regularly, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on twitter and instagram

Crucially however, make sure to stay healthy, safe and sane!