Far from Somewhere is an interdisciplinary contemporary art exhibition which articulates overlapping narratives related to mental well-being, and which places itself in pursuit of more resilient environments and increased sharing and co-responsibility.

The exhibition seeks to explore the challenges presented by ever-increasing changes to our physical and urban contexts, and how environmental and social transformations can influence our state of mind and our sense of well-being in the world. 

By renegotiating false dichotomies and doom spirals, thus shifting the conversation away from positive-negative and more towards the places in between, Far from Somewhere is an invitation to identify possibilities and opportunities, and to find psychological well-being within zones of transition. Building analogies between physical space, mental space, and social and mental well-being, the project recognises the need for common antidotes and support systems; with this philosophy we work towards more resilient environments and increased positive influences on our mental health. 

Processes of change have been shown to contribute to haptic dissonance and general sentiments of unease and dislocation. A lack of open spaces and the densification of our urban environments can have implications on mental health, such as uncertainty and increased stress and anxiety, loss of familiarity, loss of identity, social disconnection and a lack of positive regard towards the future. By creating spaces - both physical and non-physical - which can nurture, support and protect us in navigating these changing environmental and emotional conditions, we can unearth potential strategies for self-care and opportunities for mental well-being.

Far from Somewhere is an invitation and opportunity to zoom in, to revisit and to further navigate these in-between spaces as spaces of possibility.  

As a point of departure, Far from Somewhere employs ‘ecotones’ as metaphorical representations of these in-between zones. Rooted in ecological thinking, an ecotone is an ever changing area of transition where two communities meet and overlap and are characterised by significantly dense communities of organisms facilitating biodiversity and enhancing ecological resilience. The ecological dynamics of ecotones are characterised by a phenomenon termed “the edge effect”. Symbolically the edge is a representation of two distinct spaces and subsequently the unique interactions which occur therein. The interpretation of the edge, typically perceived as a border or boundary which is defined and finite, within this context evolves into this dynamic in-between zone; transitional, adaptive, abundant, sensitive and diverse.

While commonly perceiving edges as peripheral, we look towards non-human communities to understand the potential of ecotones and in-between zones as to rethink, to restore, to grow; to create sites of refuge. A metaphorical parallel can be drawn between the ecotones and edges found within urban environments and those representing emotional and psychological states. In neuro-urbanism, a field which explores urban environments, mental wellbeing and neuroscience, these in-between zones, edges, peripheries and boundaries are seen as spaces of refuge, restorative environments contributing to improved wellbeing. By identifying and seeking transitional spaces, we distance ourselves from the negative implications of urbanisation, zooming in to identify and create or unleash metaphorical ecotones embedded within the conscious and subconscious, the physical and nonphysical. These transitional spaces can become opportunities for new and vibrant ways of contacting the environment that respect and take into full consideration our personal and psychological needs and desires (an environment that works for us).

As the title suggests, Far From Somewhere is an invitation to artists to reflect on their surroundings and urban environments and their subliminal associations focusing on the aspect of mental health and wellbeing. Embodying a proactive attitude towards the issue at hand, they are encouraged to identify metaphorical ecotones, to challenge mainstream interpretations, reveal vulnerabilities and explore overlapping complexities between urban environments and their subsequent effects on mental health.