Workshop with Špela Petrič

The workshop with Špela Petrič consists of two parts.
In the first one, we became part of Špelas studies. By shifting into a parallel universe and becoming different types of creatures that help to serve the Park in which we were working.
We had the chance to become these following creatures:
- to serve the trees this creature has the aim to help all trees in the area by asking it with a pendulum if it needs help or some care. In case the answer is "yes" we would free the tree a little bit from other plants growing around it and clean the area on the ground around the tree. (see top image)

- another creature was looking for the appearance and the beauty of the place that we evaluated by using common composition systems that are known for especially aesthetic composition like the golden ratio. These systems were drawn on glass to use them similar to a crosshair.

- one creature used to measure the amount of wood that is available within the area. For that, we wore a "crop top" with long sleeves. With these sleeves, we were able to measure the circumference of all trees by hugging them to then calculate the amount of wood.

For the second part, we created our own creatures/tools and invent a story around it.
Which we later presented in the park again.

my own tool was based on the idea of counting different bird species to know.
To support this activity I designed a prototype headset that consists of funnels that support the hearing and different kind of crosshair to focus on the seeing.

The workshop was a very nice experience. It was an important lesson for me to realize, that bio art does not need to take place in a laboratory.
This very playful approach to an important and serious topic gave me a new perspective on how to address topics in the fields of bio art.
Also I got this reading recommendation from her: Was Planzen wissen: wie sie sehen, riechen und sich erinnern - Daniel Chamovitz
which I highly recommend to you if you are interested in this field.