Talk

Wednesday 22 April, 6.45 pm

nctm e l’arte continues its programme of meetings dedicated to the protagonists of the contemporary art scene. The next event features the artist Jonas Staal, who will be in dialogue with Martina Angelotti, art historian and curator.

The work of Jonas Staal (Netherlands, 1981) deals with the themes of democracy and the law.

With a keen interest in issues of social justice and the right to self-determination of individuals and peoples, in 2012 the artist founded the New World Summit, an artistic and political organisation that develops alternative parliaments for stateless political movements.

More specifically, his work explores the relationship between democracy and propaganda, between social roles, property and mechanisms of control, and between environmental sustainability and the colonial economy.

This is also the case with the CICC – Court for Intergenerational Climate Crimes (2021 – ongoing), a tribunal that goes beyond the human realm and aims to prosecute climate crimes of the past, present and future.

Drawing on the existing legal system, the CICC involves activists and legal experts, starting with Radha D’Souza, co-creator of the project. In the trials designed and staged by Staal and D’Souza, prosecutors, witnesses, and the audience all take part, with the latter tasked with delivering a verdict based on the Intergenerational Climate Crimes Act, the legal foundation of the CICC (https://framerframed.nl/en/dossier/statuut-intergenerationale-klimaatmisdaden/).

Among the participants involved in the proceedings of the CICC – Court for Intergenerational Climate Crimes are also the Comrades in Extinction, animals belonging to extinct or endangered species.

The artist regards them as ancestors, companions, and witnesses to the perverse effects of development as it has been pursued to date. They deserve a voice so that they can contribute to the collective effort needed to secure a future for all living beings, including humans, in a period of evident eco-climatic crisis.

The event will provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Jonas Staal’s work and to view a selection of his pieces.

The event will take place on Wednesday 22 April 2026, from 6.45 pm, in the conference room of ADVANT Nctm, Via Agnello 12, Milan, hosted by Gabi Scardi. 

The event will be held in English. A reception will follow.