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Synthesis

  • 2016 / digital images by Kathy Holowko  / Video and sound recorded at The Oostvardersplassen, Netherlands / Exhibition at BAK, Utrecht, Netherlands   

In this work I explored urban co-existence with the wild animal through the complexities of the re-wilded Oostvardersplassen Nature Reserve in The Netherlands. This land was claimed back from the sea and was destined to become an industrial estate. An economic downturn left the land fellow for a decade where it began to transform into a wetland. The Dutch ecologist Frans Vera led a team that lobbied for the space to become a nature reserve which was supported by the community. The experimental retrofitting of ungulates in this ecological system became a controversial after a good year caused a population explosion. The land is a pocket habitat and is fenced in-between urban build environments and could not support the growth in  population. The heritage cattle, horse and deer could not seek new pasture and began to die. This was visible to the public as one border runs along an elevated train line. This is an example of the complexities of urban co-existence with the wild animal and perhaps one of the most controversial re-wilding experiments in the world.

I explored this reserve with the help of a ranger who has since become ‘the eye of the wolf’, helping to regulate population growth by shooting weaker animals. This wetland now supports white tailed eagles not seen in The Netherlands in generations. I was able to go on safari through this reserve which looks far from a typical dutch landscape. The ideal was for the system to be self managed. This new hands-off approach resists the usual methods of neatening fallen trees or cleaning up animal bones which creates an eerie savana in parts. The offices were a visual fascination to me with taxidermy animals in meeting rooms or tucked amongst stacked chairs in hallways. The jeep garage is full of practical detritus and stacked deer antlers  in amongst forgotten signs of the proposed and yet unrealised eco-corridor that would have seen a connection of wildlife corridors linking pocket habitats like this across the country.

The video work ‘Synthesis’ shows this landscape. The ranger represents the nature conservation establishment and those that have become our appointed carers for nature. His camouflaged uniform has been altered, like Artemis the god of nature and the hunt, it now has many breast like forms, with each one representing a pocket habitat that is cared for. The blurring of reality and storytelling through moving image and sound explores the complexities of co-existence within this urban space and the ranger expresses sanctioned co-existence with the wild animal. His transformation into deer/human challenges delusions of separation and refers to deities and pagan costumed rituals of the Wilderman from European history. Today our faith lies in ourselves, with appointed representatives as guardians, backed by science.

BAK – Gallery