A TRAVELLING EXHIBITION ABOUT WATER REPRESENTATION IN EUROPE
How water diplomacy in Europe can give rise to an emerging alliance of water
Born out of growing water challenges and demands for water democracy worldwide, the Confluence of European Water Bodies sprang in 2023 from a collective pursuit of a deeper understanding of rights of nature, and in a broader sense, water representation in Europe. In September 2023, the water community converged for the first time on the shores of the Mar Menor, the first European ecosystem granted with legal personhood, with the aim to learn and exchange about water activism from a legal and cultural perspective. Resulting from this successful three-day conference, the water community expressed the wish to continue to flow together as a collective of water guardians, aimed at representing water ecosystems in Europe, on a local grassroots level, as well as in international policymaking.
SYMBOLIC, MOBILE, AND TANGIBLE REPRESENTATION
The Diplomatic Suitcase is the symbolic, mobile, and tangible representation of the Confluence of European Water Bodies. It is literally a suitcase that unpacks into an exhibition showing the identities of the participating water bodies. This multimedia and portable installation tells stories of the many problems European waters are facing, from contamination by agriculture to dam constructions, but also demonstrates how water diplomacy can give rise to an emerging alliance of water. The Diplomatic Suitcase can be unpacked, exhibited and activated in various contexts: museums, galleries, embassies etc. The installation includes text panels, a 13-minute film about the Confluence in 2023, soundscapes, photo’s, manifests and various artifacts like, a 1970 bone of a Seahorse from the Mar Menor, a symbolic flower from Venice, a ceramic otolith from the North Sea and a bikini from the Polish River Sisters. All these objects were collected during a ceremony at the Mar Menor.
The Diplomatic Suitcase is on display for the first time at Spore Initiative Berlin from July 25 to September 29, 2024 as part of the exhibition Wasserspiegel – Water Bodies.
CONTEXT
Water is essential for all life on Earth, yet it is seldom represented in political decision-making. Responding to the challenges of water management and the global call for water democracy, the Confluence of European Water Bodies emerged to explore the ‘Rights of Nature’ in Europe. This growing community of over 20 grassroots groups, representing seas, lakes, rivers, lagoons, and glaciers from across Europe, seeks to foster new dialogues and relationships with water. They advocate for innovative strategies to represent water in Europe’s cultural, legal, and political realms.The Confluence of European Water Bodies first convened in September 2023 at Spain’s Mar Menor, the first European ecosystem granted legal personhood. Inspired by this fragile and contaminated lagoon, the Confluence strengthens nature protection efforts across Europe.
DIPLOMATIC SUITCASE
The Diplomatic Suitcase is a symbolic and tangible remnant of this momentum. During gatherings of water communities, each participating body contributed an artifact, such as a 1970s seahorse bone from the Mar Menor, a bikini from the Polish River Sisters, and algae from the Venice lagoon. These items symbolize the spirit of care and activism in addressing environmental crises. The Diplomatic Suitcase is curated by the Embassy of the North Sea, TBA21-Academy and the SpreeBerlin Initiative (Symbiotic-Lab)
FLUENT RIGHTS – ACTIVATION OF THE DIPLOMATIC SUITCASE”
On September 14 2024, we invite you to join a conversation about the legal, cultural and political representation of water and the activation of the Diplomatic Suitcase in Berlin. This event will engage with the growing network that supports rights of nature and delves into dialogue about protection, modes of activism, care, and regenerative strategies.How can personified nature, through laws, myths, and stories, help us develop a healthy emotional and legislative connection to the river ecosystem? How can this help us guard and care for these ecosystems differently? Can we protect the network of interdependencies in a just manner?
INFO
Dates: July 25 to September 29, 2024
Location:
Spore Initiative Berlin
Opening hours:Thu, Fri: 3-8 pm; Sa, Sun: 12-8 pm
ACTIVATION PROGRAM
An important part of the installation is the activation program. At each venue, a public program with workshops and field trips will stimulate dialogues with the local water bodies. The Diplomatic Suitcase will grow while welcoming new waters and by traveling to venues all over Europe.
Interested in participating or exhibiting the Diplomatic Suitcase?
Please contact us at:
info@ambassadevandenoordzee.nl
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPATING WATERS
Akerselva (NO), Drina (SRB), Klarälven (SE), Loire (FR), Mar Menor (ES), Mediterranean Sea, Moraca and Tara rivers (ME), North Sea (NL), Ouse (UK), Pek (SRB), Rhône (CH), Senne (BE), Spree (DE), Tejo (PRT), Venice Lagoon (IT), Vistula (PL), Reuss (CH) and Viskan & Lake Vättern (SE)Concept: Embassy of the North Sea & TBA21-Academy; Co-curation: Confluence of European Water Bodies;
Spatial design: Jakob Kukula (Symbiotic-Lab) and Leon Lapa Pereira;
Photo’s: Helena Roig Pratt & Theresa Maria Forthaus;
Video: Clàudia del Barrio Gómez
“We are all bodies of water! What we do to water, we do to everybody, including ourselves.”
ASTRIDA NEIMANIS