Ecologies of Memories

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Sandberg Graduation show
DOOR OPEN SPACE, Amsterdam, NL
June 8— 11, 2024

Video sculpture, 28 minutes

Ecologies of Memories explores the impact of Shifting Baseline Syndrome (SBS) on our collective natural history awareness, with our knowledge of the richness of nature slowly disappearing. Each new generation lacks an understanding of how different and often richer nature was during the childhood of their parents or grandparents, as a result accepting a deteriorating natural world as normal.

The phenomenon of the shifting baseline syndrome refers to the tendency for each person and/or generation to consider the state of the natural environment during their time as the norm. Subsequent generations, or individuals, emulate this behaviour. As a result, changes, often in the form of deterioration of the natural environment, largely go unnoticed and do not become part of the collective consciousness.Without knowledge of past environmental conditions, people may not fully appreciate the extent of change that has occurred over time. Without a longitudinal and historical perspective, ecosystem transformations can easily go unnoticed.

In this immersive video installation, viewers encounter a recreated landscape of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, where the ecological narrative unfolds through image morphing and interpolation. Using AI and long-term data, Ecologies of Memories bridges contemporary realities with historical contexts. Through data-driven visualisations and speculative depictions, the video wall confronts visitors with shifts and changes in our natural environment.

By delving into past gaps in our environmental awareness caused by SBS, Ecologies of Memories explores intergenerational perceptions of change. It seeks to deepen our understanding of environmental history and catalyse collective remembrance.

Mentioned in Metropolis M

Exhibition photos Roosje Verschoor & Sander van Wettum

Ecologies of Memories, 2024
In memory of Ben Verlangen and his keen eye for nature.

Concept & Research:
Nina van Tuikwerd

Data scientist:
Arran Lyon

Data Source:
NDFF (Dutch National Database Flora and Fauna),
NDFF Verspreidingsatlas & observation.org | waarneming.nl

VIDEO
Generative video rendering:
Arran Lyon

Image Sound Credits:
observation.org | waarneming.nl

Image Editing:
Photoshop generatief AI

Soundscape:
Dirk Zandvliet
Research: Nina van Tuikwerd

Voice-Over:
Nina van Tuikwerd

LED Screens:
ABC-Scherm

HANDOUT
Graphic Design:
Nina van Tuikwerd

Descriptions:
Derived from Flora van Nederland &
FLORON Verspreidingsatlas Vaatplanten

Typeface:
Akzidenz-Grotesk BQ Medium/Light

Paper:
HVO Offset 90 grams

Print:
PeterPrint.

Acknowledgments:
Special thanks to Marc Argeloo, author of the book Natuuramnesie on the phenomenon of Shifting Baseline Syndrome. Marc took me on a memorable walk through the dunes and provided invaluable insights on SBS and ecology.

Many thanks to ABC-Scherm for their generosity and profecional help. And many thanks to Marina van Tuikwerd and Dirk Zandvliet for their support and contributions to this project. Rouzbeh Akhbari for his support and for answering all my questions. Leonore van der Waals for reading and checking my texts. And extra thanks to Arran Lyon, without whom this project would not have materialised.

BRASS RAVE UNIT