In biology the term hybrid is used to describe the cross-breed of two species. HYBRID MATTERs expands this to address different concepts, materials, or ideas which have been until recently thought separate or independent of each other, but which we can now observe as coming together, converging, to form new constellations with new qualities.

HYBRID MATTERs investigates the convergence of our environment with technology, it explores the term hybrid ecologies, which is a thought vehicle to talk about the intentional and unintentional transformation of our planet through human action.

Such a hybrid ecology has not only biological actors, but also technological, like robots, software, networks or increasingly also genetically engineered plants and animals, which specifically blur the boundaries between biological and technological as they are biological in material but technological in nature.

The HYBRID MATTERs exhibition shows works, experiments and proposals which address this convergence and which explore hybrid ideas, evidence of hybridisation and hybrid actors. However, the works not only address the convergence of our environment and technology but also ask about how we position ourselves within this process.

Do we continue to externalize ourselves from this process, like we do with the concept of nature, or do we recognize that we became a fundamental planetary force which also calls for taking responsibility over these changes and our lifeworld.

HYBRID MATTERs aims to provide a possibility to rethink and reevaluate our relations to this emerging world. As we humans drive this process of hybridization we are part of both the biological and technological. HYBRID MATTERs asks how we can address both ends and develop respectful and mutually beneficial forms of co-existence for all the actors in such a hybrid ecology.

Exhibiting artists are: Laura Beloff (FI/DK), Christian Brems (DK), Jonas Jørgensen (DK), Hanna Husberg (FI/SE), Kristina Lindström (SE), Åsa Ståhl (SE), Lawrence Malstaf (BE/NO), Kristiina Ljokkoi (FI), Johanna Rotko (FI), Antti Tenetz (FI), Mari Keski-Korsu (FI) and (sonic) Wild Code group represented in the exhibition by Antye Greie-Ripatti (DE/FI)

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