Our organisation was created as a reaction to an increasing individualism and lack of community, as well as an aim for independence from the commercial and institutional demands of the art world. Our goal is to strengthen community values and development through networks rather than supporting individualism. This do not only reflects our attitude towards art but our world view in general.

We want to create space and possibilities for artists to relate to the increasing ecological and social crises the world is facing in this Anthropocene era and the global challenges that are ever present. Art and culture can and must take part and take a stance! Through our activities we try to promote the investigative, profound and experimental, as well as focusing on the state of the planet and seek new ways.
Isop is an environmentally sustainable artistic and cultural project at all levels. We mainly work with visual art and photography, but we are branching out to include creative writing and other artis forms as well. Collaboration with other professions such as researcher, scientists, biologists etc. are starting to take shape and we are curious to see what will come out of it.

We run all activities as environmentally sustainable as possible and we try to inspirer our participants and collaborators to make sustainable choices as well. All collaborators participating in projects finances by The Independent AIR are obligated to make sustainable choices regarding the project within the practical and economical limits.

Isop (former known as The Independent Air) was founded as a non-profit organisation in 2013 with its main focus on emerging photographic artists. The organisation has since developed into art duo consisting of Sissel Thastum (Visual art, curatorial practice, cultural management) and Line Thastum (Creative writing, environmental advising, cultural management, curatorial practice).
We have created everything from group residencies, master classes, exhibitions to artist talks, symposiums, seminars and photographic workshops both in Denmark and internationally. And we continue to aim to create a supportive and sustainable community of practice, production and experimentation with art and environmental sustainability as the focal point.
Isop is financially sustained through private and governmental grants as well as sponsorships. From 2014 - 2017, Aarhus 2017 European Capital of Culture has financially supported us as an official Culture Capital project.
We are continuously guided and inspired by our advisory board, which consists of: Marietta Radomska - The Posthumanities Hub, Erich Berger- Bioart Society & Catarina Fontoura - Photographic artis and lecturer at Falmouth University.

The sustainable guide-lines that we strive to follow are:

Transportation:

• Consider whether transportation is necessary regarding meetings and other events. Is there another solution such as online meetings like skype or using platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox etc.?

• If transportation is necessary, flying should be avoided when possible.  If the travel time is below 8 hours the travel shall be made by 1. train 2. bus 3. car (and ferry if necessary).

• The most sustainable company in each category of transport should be chosen.   eg. - a flight company who is researching in a greener flight fuel, busses with the newest EU-standard engine e or a company who in other ways can document a sustainable business.

• If flying is unavoidable there must be made a compensation such as supporting a forestation project or another recognised CO2-reducing project. (Suggestion list under preparation)

• To reduce transportation it should be considered if events or meetings in the same area could be combined.

• Use bicycles for shorter local transportation.
  

Food:

• Vegan, organic and preferable local food should be chosen as far as possible for all meetings and activities. (see detailed calculations of  of CO2 emissions for different food for inspiration of choices here.)

• Avoid food with a long travel distance (food-miles).

• Food waste should be avoided by e.g.: careful planning, right preparation and storing, reuse of leftovers, giving away or sharing leftovers.

• Choose restaurants and suppliers that can document a sustainable business on as many levels as possible - e.g. a food waste strategy.

• Avoid disposable tableware as far as possible. If it is unavoidable, choose sustainable products from renewable materials and no plastic.

• Use tap-water instead of water in plastic bottles – encourage participants to bring field bottles.

• Make it easy for participants to re-use their coffee cups and water glasses, so they should not be cleaned all the time.

Materials and services:

• Use and buy only what is needed of all kinds of materials and products. Careful planning, coordinating and overview are good tools.

• Avoid materials with hazardous chemicals. The more chemicals used in a product the more likely that some of them will be hazardous.

• Choose if possible eco labeled products. (See list over international eco labels).

• Avoid plastic as much as possible. If plastic is needed chose recycled plastic products if possible.

• Demand documented environmentally friendly products and make demands on supplier and manufacturer.

• Choose companies who are certified with an international environmental management standard (ISO 14001 or EMAS) or companies who can document at sustainable business/product. -  A company who have an international environmental management standard are looking in to the whole production chain.

• Choose accommodation that have a green label, are environmental management certified or in other ways show an environmental friendly business.  

• Challenge and inspire collaborating artists to use sustainable/non harmful materials in their art production. It is important to at least take a conscious choice.

Recycling and reuse:

• Recycle waist in as many fractions as possible in the local waste system.

• Use preferable second hand wherever possible. This goes for areas as equipment, furniture, household items etc.

• Investigate whether it is possible to share or borrow event equipment from other cultural organisations.

• Use products made of recycled materials whenever possible.

Energy use:

• Always think in energy savings regarding energy-consuming appliances. For new purchases, choose the most energy- and environmentally friendly products.

• Pay attention to energy-saving behavior in relation to the consumption of electricity, water and heat.

• Examine the possibilities for energy renovation of the premises that are used permanently.

Communication and collaboration:

• Make a small guideline for participants and collaborators participating in meetings, events or projects, which tells about sustainable choices in the event and encourage them to act sustainable while participating.

• Inspire and encourage collaborators to act sustainable – show them The Independent AIRs principles and guidelines.

• Challenge partners, participants and suppliers to find sustainable solutions and products – make it a sport, and make the good choices visible.

• Set aside an amount on the budget for CO2 compensation and specified sustainable choices that have an additional expense when fundraising for cultural projects – make it visible.

• Make sustainable choices visible on social media at exhibitions etc.

Reed more about our sustainable practise and find our handbook for sustainable choices in photography at www.independentsustainability.com.