鈥淚 think Georgetown is in the unique position to build novel and transformative relationships with Indigenous communities around sustainability, intergenerational justice and climate justice,鈥� says Meissner. 鈥淐entering Indigenous thought and voices in a sustainability plan feels like a natural fit 鈥� Indigenous communities have been the stewards of these lands for thousands of years, feel the most impacts from climate injustice and colonialism and have important adaptation strategies 鈥� and I鈥檓 excited to see the Office of Sustainability take up this opportunity in a meaningful and serious way.鈥�

Meissner, who specializes in American Indian and Indigenous philosophy, feminist epistemology and philosophy of language, invited attendees to connect indigenous philosophies, like sovereignty and decolonization, to institutional efforts to create a more sustainable, equitable future for Georgetown. 

The university鈥檚 approach to sustainability recognizes a 鈥渜uadruple鈥� bottom line: people, planet, prosperity and purpose, guided by Catholic and Jesuit values and a commitment to the common good. 

鈥淎s Georgetown develops its first sustainability plan, we wanted to think about the relationship between sustainability and schools of thought such as Indigenous philosophy,鈥� says Dan Guilbeault, the director of sustainability for campus & community. 鈥淚n our discussion, we identified connections 鈥� as well as areas of tension 鈥� between Indigenous philosophy and sustainability. This included powerful concepts like relationality, opportunities to co-flourish, areas of 鈥榮hared care,鈥� and the symbolism of names and terms.鈥�

Throughout the discussion, participants focused on seeing the world as it could be, rather than as it is. The systems and institutions that have created an unequal, unsustainable current reality are not chiseled in stone, but can be rebuilt by humans just as they were constructed by humans. 

鈥淎t this event, the strong desire the students have for tangible change was so apparent,鈥� reflects Meissner. 鈥淚 am honored to learn from these students and humbled by the really compassionate futures they are trying to build. I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing how other university entities follow the example set by the Office of Sustainability in centering Indigenous voices and our phenomenal students in their planning processes.鈥�

The university is working towards a new sustainability plan to be released in the Fall. Students, faculty and staff can get involved with the planning process by to participate in working groups, the Office of Sustainability during office hours to offer input and via the MindMixer online tool. 

Unexpected Materials on Exhibit

Over 40 works are being presented in the and the . From the detritus of the pineapple industry, a metallic fabric has been created called Pi帽atex out of which Dutch fashion designer Liselore Frowijn and Italian designer Laura Strambi made striking fashions. Waste from coconut crops finds form in a line of stylish purses designed by Malai in India. Compressed smog particles fill Dutch Daan Roosegaarde鈥檚 renowned Smog Free Ring. Sim贸n Ballen Botero extricates pollutants from the ground water sullied by the gold mining industry in Colombia to create gleaming patinas on glass vessels. Dutch Nienke Hoogvliet harvests toilet paper from the sewage system that she reworks into furniture. Japanese Kosuke Araki couples historic methods of lacquering with new technologies to make dishes from food waste. Hair is the main material for the United Kingdom鈥檚 Oksana Bondar and Swine Studio when making furniture and accessories.

Dutch Invertuals, an innovative design studio, based in Eindhoven, Netherlands and known internationally for their creative work in the realms of architecture, design, and curatorial projects have designed the exhibition. The exhibition platforms, pedestals, and seating are being fabricated from an innovative building material sourced from textile industry waste and manufactured in Denmark by REALLY; REALLY Solid Textile Board was developed by exhibiting designer, Christien Meindertsma. That so many of the included designers are recent graduates or faculty of design academies and universities is evidence of a shift in the world of design and design education, from function at the service of aesthetic considerations to socially responsible, environmental amelioration. Designers who partner with material scientists and chemists, steered by ethical concerns, created the exciting, inventive works that comprise this groundbreaking exhibition.

Guest Curators Collaborate with Director Al Miner

The exhibition is organized by Georgetown University Art Galleries, and guest curated by Ginger Gregg Duggan and Judith Hoos Fox of c²-curatorsquared, an award-winning team known for their provocative curatorial work in contemporary art and design. According to , Founding Director/Chief Curator of Georgetown University Art Galleries, 鈥渨e are incredibly proud to present this innovative exhibition that supports Georgetown University鈥檚 long-standing commitment to advancing social justice and global initiatives, and inspiring change. The surprising works on view will challenge preconceived notions of the artist/designer鈥檚 role in society and their ability to impact our world. The show will also be a springboard for interdisciplinary exchange bringing many of the University鈥檚 intellectual assets to a new audience through a related public engagement series wedding the arts with environmental studies, literature, theology and other themes.鈥�

Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined marks the first time a Georgetown University Art Galleries exhibition will go on tour; the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona will host the show February 1 – May 17, 2020. Funding is generously supported by organizations including the Georgetown University 2019 Laudato Si鈥� Fund, Creative Industries Fund NL, and the Netherland-America Foundation; additionally, this program is supported as part of the Dutch Culture USA program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York.

Special Panel Discussion Moderated by Marra

Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined will open with a on October 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  A series of free, multidisciplinary programs ranging from film screenings to public dialogues will expand upon themes of the exhibition. The first program on October 3 at 6:00 PM will be a including exhibition designers, a curator, and moderated by the director of the Georgetown Environmental Initiative and Laudato Si鈥� Professor of Biology and the Environment, . Details on further programs are listed on the gallery鈥檚 website.