Metropolitan Nature. A Conversation with Emanuele Coccia

Eccentric philosopher and author Emanuele Coccia will share his thoughts on his latest project ‘Metropolitan Nature.’ As the recipient of the Mondrian Prize 2024, he currently resides in the former studio of Piet Mondrian in Laren. Lisa Doeland and Francesco Carrasso will join Coccia in the philosophical exploration of nature in the metropole, the relation between species, and the notion of home.

Known for his interdisciplinary approach, philosopher and author Emanuele Coccia (1976, Italy) explores the relationships between humans, nature, and the cosmos, often challenging traditional distinctions between living and non-living entities. His writing, deeply influenced by fields like biology and anthropology, engages with themes of life, plants, and the environment, emphasizing a vision of existence where all forms of life are interconnected. His philosophical practice is marked by a poetic, accessible style that resonates with both academic and broader audiences. His work has been featured in major academic and cultural discussions, making him a key voice in contemporary philosophy and ecological thought.

Established in 2023, The Mondrian Initiative annually awards The Mondrian Prize to an internationally recognized professional in the art world. The prize includes an invitation to bring fellow researchers to the colony and a residency in Piet Mondrian’s renovated studio at the Dooyewaard Foundation’s artist colony in Blaricum/Laren.

About the speakers

Emanuele Coccia is an Italian philosopher who lives in Paris, where he is associate Professor at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS). He was Assistant Professor at the University of Freiburg from 2008-2011 and was a visiting professor at the universities of Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Düsseldorf, Columbia and Harvard. After earning his doctorate in medieval philosophy and philology at the University of Florence, Emanuele received post-doctoral grants at the Max Planck Institut in Frankfurt am Main, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

Francesco Carrasso is a landscape architect and visual artist exploring the relationship between natural and urban landscapes. Influenced by his roots in graffiti and a childhood in the Italian countryside, he designs spaces where nature plays a central role in human life. His project “MAMT” merges letters and figurative elements to capture the complexities of modern life, while his vibrant, intuitive paintings reflect everyday narratives and a deep connection to the natural world.

Lisa Doeland is a philosopher. She writes, teaches, and conducts research on the ontology of waste. Currently, she is working on a book in which she examines the dangerous fantasies of the (eco)modern individual, such as recycling without leftovers.