SCHR24.D7.W22.25.3

Preservation

What is worth preserving, and how do we preserve it? Inspired by (engraved) archaeological artefacts, I sought to make a series of durable objects that could save a small piece of information for the future. In a field where much work is intended to be viewed only digitally or on paper, making it not just intangible but also easily lost, I was interested in the value of designing with permanence and tactility in mind.

Schiermonnikoog

As a Dutch student, I decided to work with data that was relatively local and current, and chose the nature of Waddenisland Schiermonnikoog as a subject. The small island consists largely of a protected nature reserve and is vulnerable to disturbances in the ecosystem due to climate change and human activities. To gain insight into this pristine and diverse landscape, I spent 7 days on the island, recording data at specific times and documenting flora, fauna, and landscapes in different sections of the map.

Portholes

In my grandparents' workshop I had come across a vast collection of old ship windows, and decided to choose these as my medium, as the thick glass discs are durable but also have something ephemeral to them. To transfer the data, I used a combination of lasering and engraving by hand.
I imagine, in a near or distant future, these portholes being used on Schiermonnikoog as windows into the past, tools to observe and compare how species and landscapes throughout the island have changed, or perhaps remain the same.