The 'LUNÄ Talk: Triangular Trade - Cotton' will concentrate on the influence of cotton production and trade in relation to the abolition of slavery and colonisation / decolonisation, both historically and as an ongoing influence on contemporary global economy.

The overall project Triangular Trade investigates the influence of transport and trade of pivotal materials (like rubber, oil, ivory, copper, cotton, gold and uranium), but also people, on exponential economic growth, the creation of nations and other power structures. The project traces back the origin of the different materials and follows their (r)evolutionary path as they are processed and transformed into 'world changing wonders'.

LUNÄ references the legacy of the Lunar Society of Birmingham - a group of enthusiasts and lay scholars who met on full moon nights to discover and discuss new ideas. The ‘Lunaticks’ as they were called, transformed science and changed the world. They built theories and engines, invented machines and ideas. They altered the face of their time. Three centuries later, we invite you to revisit this spirit by taking your place at a platform that replicates the table on which the original Lunar Men met. Each conversation, mostly in sync with the full moon, will feature a high tide of ideas, concepts and questions, instigating concordances between what is current and exciting in science, philosophy and the social imagination. LUNÄ Talks are intimate, face-to-face, power-point-less environments with free flowing engaging conversations between invited specialised guests in the discussed fields and the audience.