Try on accesories full of gravel, peek into the glamorous feather dance and take a sip of a preparation cocktail to endure the long hours of standing still!
In the framework of NS2022, the Danube Transformation Agency for Agency took a deep dive into what it would mean to provide their bodies to the survival and needs of another species. Together with local beach goers, the team explored the question of "How to become an island?" for a Danubian bird species - the Little Ringed Plover.
For decades the Danubian River banks were shaped for the needs of humans alone. The regulation of the river promised control - for the production of power and for the prevention of flooding. But this did not serve all critters equally well, including the Little Ringed Plover. The loss of habitats due to river regulations made the birds’ population decline.
The rapid loss of biodiversity seems so often left over to - at its best - scientists - at its worst - destiny. Devastations like these feel often too big and irreversible to handle. By proposing to provide your body parts to the bird, DTAFA asks which role the individual could take in an age of ecological crisis and what embodying the restoration of the bird's habitant would mean.
Within the 10-day program visitors and beachgoers were invited to get to know the bird better and to join our explorations in becoming a resting, mating and breeding ground for this migratory bird during their seasonal stay in Novi Sad. Additionally, the program was supported with special events that provided the audience a chance to read out love letters to the bird and to sing along to some special Karaoke songs in order to express affection for the Little Ringed Plover with the DTAFA team.
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"How to become an island?" was created by DTAFA, for the European Capital of Culture, NoviSad 2022. DTAFA - the Danube Transformation Agency for Agency - provides services and actions in order to mediate between species. The collective was founded in 2021 by Solmaz Farhang, Alexandra Fruhstorfer, Lena Violetta Leitner, Andrea Palašti and Ege Kökel and has since developed projects at the intersections of technology, nature and society.
Consultants and Scientific Advisors: (in alphabetical order):
Hans-Martin Berg - NHM / Bird Collection
Georg Frank - DANUBEPARKS
Gertrude Haidvogel - BOKU
Hubert Keckeis - University of Vienna
Brigitte Schmidt - BOKU
Matthias Schmidt - Bird Life
Supported by:
DTAFA, getting ready for the daıly program
close-ups of our experımentatıon booth
partıcıpants, becomıng ıslands
readıng love letters to the bırd
sıngıng love songs to the bırd
© Image 10 and 12 are by Marko Pudić NS2022, all of the others are by Vladimir Janić.