Zine Making: Re-imagining our relationship with bugs and ecosystems

Through zine-making and objects from the South Asia collections, we will consider what does land and ecosystems mean to you? Where do you feel connected? What do you want your relationship with nature to look like in the future?

Jazmeen will facilitate a space for us to reimagine the interactions we have with the reality building entities we share the world with - invertebrates, bugs, insects...and through this, to reimagine co-opted relationship we have with the ecosystems we are a part of, and the land we exist within.Through creativity and unravelling, perhaps we can unearth a love or respect we already have hidden away for these ecosystem builders, and use it to gather autonomy.

Together, we’ll cut, collage, make and imagine new ways of connecting with these ecosystems, challenging the stories we’ve inherited and creating our own. No previous art or zine-making experience needed — just bring your ideas and curiosity.

Jazmeen Isa Qureshi (they/she), is an interdisciplinary ecologist, social scientist, marine biologist, journalist, writer, systems thinker, advisor/consultant, experienced facilitator, researcher, poet and lover of bugs, she is studying a PhD at the Global Sustainability Institute at ARU. Her research (and a core of all her other work) centres "Queering Ecology"; working within decolonising / dismantling / reimagining / anti-oppression frameworks in conservation and ecology, and understanding a variety of ancestral teachings/storytelling mechanisms on ecology and queer theory, and her own work "Queering" Ecology (workshops, creativity, etc.).

This event is part of Aaram Hours, an evening of free performances, workshops and conversation, created by a collective of Youth Producers who came to the V&A with a vision for connection, community and soulful inspiration. 

Curated in response to the South Asia Collection and Bharti Kher's sculptural works, Aaram Hours is open to all young people (16-26), regardless of heritage. It offers a safe and welcoming environment to convene, connect, and perhaps challenge connections to South Asia in a fun, collaborative and contemporary manner.