Standart Thinking is a project led by Javier Rodriguez rooted in action research and education set within a social-ecological framework.
Standart Thinking aims to promote practical knowledge and understanding, formulating ideas and alternative lines of action that challenge the predominance of one culture over another, the precedence of specialized knowledge over localized knowledge and competition over cooperation. The project seeks to facilitate a meeting place for the integration of practices and skill sharing between artists, food producers, social scientists and the broad community.
Looking at the intersection of art, culture and ecology as fundamental pillars to activate sustainable development processes, Standart Thinking links theoretical and practical schemes focusing on the revision and revitalisation of traditional knowledge and skills. This is facilitated through the formulation of a multi-layered critique; spanning diverse activities such as workshops & rural field-trips, installation, publishing, performance and design.
Standart Thinking considers a key issue the need to contextualise the discourse around conservation, heritage development using contemporary means of communication and action in order to reach a wider audience and attract active participation to ensure a sustainable approach for the preservation of our cultural and natural assets.
Far from pursuing the universality of thought as a goal – the monoform – we propose in its place the diversity of life forces, social practices, passions and experiences. Striving not to be highly specialized, but for the application of ourselves to thinking across many disciplines, following no explicit rules and no explicit models.
Infinite knowledge, accessible at our fingertips, at any moment and time of day, does not necessarily expand understanding. A myth has been constructed that we should be able make as little effort as possible, whilst maximising consumption, profit and pleasure. A process of re-sensitization is necessary, developing faculties of both mental and physical attention.
In comprehending that we are not inseparable from and superior to nature, and realizing that it is not a limitless resource to be plundered; we can re-learn from its daily cycles, creating and assembling around ourselves inter-dependant beneficial systems. Understanding is developed not only by pondering, but also by handling situations practically, as a good gardener manages his garden.
We do not try to discover something new, but to recover that which is lost.