[-empyre-] Culture I Nature

[Ala Plastica]

      Culture I Nature: Art and Philosophy in the Context of Urban Development  

            Haarmann, Lemke (ed.)                                                           Jovis Publishers Berlin, June 2009. The publication following the exhibition forum  

      Ala Plástica – "Transitions" (Ecotone/Sociotone)
      The Argentine artists' collective Ala Plástica, represented in Wilhelmsburg by Silvina Babich and Alejandro Meitin, discovered the topic of boundaries and transitions in the course of their local investigative work: the levee functions as a boundary between the nature reserve "Heuckenlock" near the Elbe river and the agrarian areas further inland. In the same vein, a massive customs' fence separates the Wilhelmsburg residential area near the "Spreehafen" from direct access to the riverside. 

      Ala Plástica had already done work in Hamburg in 2004, (Stadtfluss Wandse / Position Bypass) which meant that they were able to put to use their old contacts for their present work in Wilhelmsburg. In their conversations with residents and environmental activists they found out that there are ideas to create a transition at the dam near the nature reserve "Heuckenlock", from the Elbe to the hinterland, and to rezone an inland area as a flood plain. Thus the dam, that monument of protection, is being questioned due to its lack of flexibility; and, in times of climate change, the problems with the strategy of walling-off against the water are being discussed. Silvina Babich and Alejandro Meitin chose the form of a public performance to symbolically overcome the levee boundary; they did so by placing a willow tree from the Intercultural Garden on top of the dam for a short time. In this way a plant connection between Elbe and Wilhelmsburg was created that can overcome the existing physical and mental limitations. 

      A second project by Ala Plástica dealt with the customs fence, rejected by many residents of the Elbe island because it blocks off access to the "Spreehafen" and, thus, to the riverside. In cooperation with an association of concerned Wilhelmsburg residents, "Zukunft Elbinsel e.V.," the artists' duo put up a ladder by the fence, which was equipped at the top with a "visionary writing desk." They invited residents, activists, and people strolling past to climb up the ladder and to write down what they were seeing on the other side of the fence. Overcoming the fence with one's eyes was an exercise in support of the activities of the residents' association, which has been struggling for a long time to have the fence removed. 

      With these two art activities, Ala Plástica expressed their wish to cooperate with the Wilhelmsburginitiatives on a long-term basis and to continue with the projects they had just begun. Lasting cooperation is at the core of their activities, whose goal is to be effective not only symbolically, but also in reality.

       http://www.natur-kultur.net/en_index.htm

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      Ala Plastica

      Comunicación 
      Calle 55 nº 681 Piso 7º Dto. "b" 
      La Plata CP (1900)
      Buenos Aires-Argentina
      Telfax: 00 54 221 4660074/Móvil: 0221 156129948
      email: contacto at alaplastica.org.ar
      Web: http://www.alaplastica.org.ar        


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