Viola Karsten
‘Zoöp’, playing on the Greek ‘zōḗ’ for life, is short for Zoöperation. It is the name for a new organisational model and learning process that aims to incorporate non-human perspectives into decision making concerning regenerative practice. In a Zoöp, the interests of the ecosystems in which the organisation is situated and participates are actively represented in the decision making. A Zoöp is committed to learn to contribute to the health of these ecosystems.
The Goethe-Institut Niederlande and Zoöp De Ceuvel organise a residency program for artists interested in this innovative model of more-than-human decision making in Amsterdam from June 19 to 29, 2025. This initiative is part of a larger transnational effort organized by EUNIC Netherlands (European Union National Institutes for Culture) and coordinated by DutchCulture and Nieuwe Instituut Rotterdam, in collaboration with the Zoönomic Institute. The aim of this project is to explore and amplify the role of multispecies ecosystems in urban environments by fostering regenerative connections between humans and non-human life.
Viola Karsten
Since summer 2022, Viola works as a cultural program manager for the Goethe-Institut Netherlands, located in Amsterdam. In this capacity she is organising cultural events, mostly in collaboration with local partners, and tries to stimulate intercultural exchange between Germany and the Netherlands. Initially she came to the Netherlands to study Arts & Culture, first in Maastricht and then Groningen. Prior to her university education she followed a professional training in media and publishing.
N.N. (resident artist)
Programme details coming soon!
Zoöps