https://dispersalproject.cargo.site Dispersal Project Kortrijk Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:19:41 +0000 https://dispersalproject.cargo.site en https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Homepage-left Sun, 09 Jan 2022 19:21:09 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Homepage-left The Dispersal Project Inspired by the movement of seeds around cities, the Dispersal Project is about the intentional and unintentional relationships between humans and non-humans. As we go about our lives, we are constant agents within different, often complex natural processes, whether we like it or not. This means that we must take care of the plants and creatures which not only shape our existence and inform our sense of belonging, but are vital to our mutual wellbeing. <img width="366" height="355" width_o="366" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83efb756c76d23208388404f82d00f5937bb83ab6fb6a290a8b2f91d38048c0f/Asset-11300x.png" data-mid="129551827" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/366/i/83efb756c76d23208388404f82d00f5937bb83ab6fb6a290a8b2f91d38048c0f/Asset-11300x.png" /> <img width="367" height="355" width_o="367" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e9f94430eb67462effd79b475e0a666d5b7cbee760243b1c47cc515d1f22beed/Asset-12300x.png" data-mid="129551828" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/367/i/e9f94430eb67462effd79b475e0a666d5b7cbee760243b1c47cc515d1f22beed/Asset-12300x.png" /> <img width="367" height="355" width_o="367" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/86f2c8f531ad1be37f210646ea90319c0768eb426f81fb4125a556fb93298bed/Asset-18300x.png" data-mid="129551837" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/367/i/86f2c8f531ad1be37f210646ea90319c0768eb426f81fb4125a556fb93298bed/Asset-18300x.png" /> <img width="366" height="355" width_o="366" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a99d5bd0bce505d244429eb5bc94c2f42ed320122344cb3c9b42cecacc142be/Asset-16300x.png" data-mid="129551835" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/366/i/7a99d5bd0bce505d244429eb5bc94c2f42ed320122344cb3c9b42cecacc142be/Asset-16300x.png" /> <img width="367" height="355" width_o="367" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fa2f6a51661d7660cbfe395ffbc3341e025146329cb00b2c43c95ea152f1b960/Asset-15300x.png" data-mid="129551833" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/367/i/fa2f6a51661d7660cbfe395ffbc3341e025146329cb00b2c43c95ea152f1b960/Asset-15300x.png" /> <img width="367" height="355" width_o="367" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/af8e533b18cb71cc1cb69bb12ef538e8e9ea1b1661d6de1a004eb9e22dfe59c4/Asset-17300x.png" data-mid="129551836" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/367/i/af8e533b18cb71cc1cb69bb12ef538e8e9ea1b1661d6de1a004eb9e22dfe59c4/Asset-17300x.png" /> <img width="367" height="355" width_o="367" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6acf138829a45058fc7424ab086b2a26ce1b5b8205d53473ef662e4a17598fee/Asset-13300x.png" data-mid="129551829" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/367/i/6acf138829a45058fc7424ab086b2a26ce1b5b8205d53473ef662e4a17598fee/Asset-13300x.png" /> <img width="367" height="355" width_o="367" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/26ee100aff22b37e9c69157dd7a2e5b96139a568e8884936927073f9bcff901d/Asset-14300x.png" data-mid="129551832" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/367/i/26ee100aff22b37e9c69157dd7a2e5b96139a568e8884936927073f9bcff901d/Asset-14300x.png" /> <img width="367" height="355" width_o="367" height_o="355" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dbaf0d581dabe25802beed42bab207511911d838d71920bfd1b34c2b17fe2071/Asset-19300x.png" data-mid="129551838" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/367/i/dbaf0d581dabe25802beed42bab207511911d838d71920bfd1b34c2b17fe2071/Asset-19300x.png" /> During a three-month residency in Kortrijk, the Dispersal Project proposes a series of experiments in the form of three cabinets designed for the public space. Set in a space where human communities, landscapes and other living things are in constant dialogue, the project looks at both hands-on ways in which communities can interact with the diverse ecologies around the city, as well as inspiring a sense of wonder. https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Seed-Dispersal-Toolkit Sun, 09 Jan 2022 20:21:31 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Seed-Dispersal-Toolkit #001 Seed Dispersal Toolkit 26–11–2021︎ Practical ︎ Storytelling ︎ Drawing &nbsp; &nbsp; In one scenario, the dispersal project supports a small but specific activity. The cabinet acts as a standalone companion to its surroundings. Its fictional narrative helps describe humans as agents within natural processes around them and understand their own role in their local environment. &nbsp; &nbsp; The tools, which are more about the creative and unintentional interactions with nature, are about seed dispersal by plants – a process which can be difficult to see but still important to the urban ecology. Human participants enjoy the excitement of watching the seeds and lichens bloom over time, and the wild plants benefit from a new set of locations in the city. <img width="7326" height="5171" width_o="7326" height_o="5171" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/059d0001b2922b6c6b81437b4aff969da0c7be1b72009d8b803c9b62f2b44628/cabinet_story_sliced_clean_27.gif" data-mid="129552714" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/059d0001b2922b6c6b81437b4aff969da0c7be1b72009d8b803c9b62f2b44628/cabinet_story_sliced_clean_27.gif" /> https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Seed-Dispersal-photos Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:58:14 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Seed-Dispersal-photos <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0b9dc2931c7d323d4d08be4e760b2b5c89011460f6b4fc128e9848e8ddb07129/DSC03169.JPG" data-mid="130472314" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0b9dc2931c7d323d4d08be4e760b2b5c89011460f6b4fc128e9848e8ddb07129/DSC03169.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/524afb430e62f33f0367b44ec0341b9e96aeab2442062f63cda9af286e05ab9e/DSC03105.JPG" data-mid="130472361" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/524afb430e62f33f0367b44ec0341b9e96aeab2442062f63cda9af286e05ab9e/DSC03105.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c3ef957afefe1fdf64756d2bd4847e20982e5c08f68ea0a388421d1ff44bb23/DSC02835.JPG" data-mid="130472493" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2c3ef957afefe1fdf64756d2bd4847e20982e5c08f68ea0a388421d1ff44bb23/DSC02835.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5d69a6b06cf7f23f3af4ddd38966068b0c5af013db03b16a95cd3d24170d2521/DSC02844.JPG" data-mid="130472494" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5d69a6b06cf7f23f3af4ddd38966068b0c5af013db03b16a95cd3d24170d2521/DSC02844.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3fe834f822824b9bac901915d4d0529b189de09b19c5d30255ff0ddedfe2e9b2/DSC02847.JPG" data-mid="130472495" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3fe834f822824b9bac901915d4d0529b189de09b19c5d30255ff0ddedfe2e9b2/DSC02847.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b373d8372c0039541564a031d910090c3ca2af36f7bae7ae8823bd4bda8c2d44/DSC02854.JPG" data-mid="130472496" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b373d8372c0039541564a031d910090c3ca2af36f7bae7ae8823bd4bda8c2d44/DSC02854.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6a623912258b81e39b46e210f6d024cc158600daebd21b136fc6941698196ffb/DSC02870.JPG" data-mid="130472497" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6a623912258b81e39b46e210f6d024cc158600daebd21b136fc6941698196ffb/DSC02870.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/12a3571baab9a37e4c180964016a074dbd0ec234a9f8aeaf638c3046671d9a4a/DSC02883.JPG" data-mid="130472498" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/12a3571baab9a37e4c180964016a074dbd0ec234a9f8aeaf638c3046671d9a4a/DSC02883.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ff4f5111a638dd99535293b01b3be2d2428d9542309fcdb444a1b31a05f5d957/DSC02890.JPG" data-mid="130472499" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ff4f5111a638dd99535293b01b3be2d2428d9542309fcdb444a1b31a05f5d957/DSC02890.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bce36ad426198d6b6293618135dda68c428572007b3efee9b5ac1897b7b83bc9/DSC02897.JPG" data-mid="130472500" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bce36ad426198d6b6293618135dda68c428572007b3efee9b5ac1897b7b83bc9/DSC02897.JPG" /> https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Nesting-Cabinet Sun, 09 Jan 2022 20:21:50 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Nesting-Cabinet #002 Nesting Cabinet 26–11–2021︎ Crafts ︎ Habitat ︎ Wildlife &nbsp; &nbsp; In another version of events, traditional crafts and low-tech approaches are combined with tools for creating new habitats for other creatures. Alongside a more practical narrative about weaving techniques is a guide to different needs of birds, hedgehogs or rabbits. &nbsp; &nbsp; The cabinet provides specialist tools, as well as the materials needed to make a variety of objects. Over time, the cabinet becomes adorned with these constructions, found materials and other organic matter. &nbsp; &nbsp; Birds visit the cabinets for extra twigs to construct their nests in spring, and local residents are presented with the opportunity to learn a new set of skills. <img width="8508" height="7050" width_o="8508" height_o="7050" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f8d89c109bca188e1543df4edf0f843c3d935cc2e6ecaa3ddcab924ce19be772/cabinet_story_sliced_clean_28.gif" data-mid="129552736" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f8d89c109bca188e1543df4edf0f843c3d935cc2e6ecaa3ddcab924ce19be772/cabinet_story_sliced_clean_28.gif" /> https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Nesting-photos Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:07:51 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Nesting-photos <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aa14435cb851bf37543742a75ffa2c640a88cfed7b081bb4e541fa18c9682b51/DSC02903.JPG" data-mid="130473287" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aa14435cb851bf37543742a75ffa2c640a88cfed7b081bb4e541fa18c9682b51/DSC02903.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e85fc066e7f2be66864a22ebadf1f05a66505f3d210739f66905e979b42cece2/DSC02925.JPG" data-mid="130473480" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e85fc066e7f2be66864a22ebadf1f05a66505f3d210739f66905e979b42cece2/DSC02925.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5826de576c68fb617ccba6ae9f095ed9fbc5f4a686710dba30728daecd8666a8/DSC02933.JPG" data-mid="130473128" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5826de576c68fb617ccba6ae9f095ed9fbc5f4a686710dba30728daecd8666a8/DSC02933.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/db28cfe15e0acd8a14033ccb48ebcd867ba39c30e11c3deb7ff532a7ff39f271/DSC02934.JPG" data-mid="130473158" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/db28cfe15e0acd8a14033ccb48ebcd867ba39c30e11c3deb7ff532a7ff39f271/DSC02934.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a506abd508edc24108a7e15fbfd10865a4bf0b6cd351c01cf083205461e07a63/DSC02942.JPG" data-mid="130473137" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a506abd508edc24108a7e15fbfd10865a4bf0b6cd351c01cf083205461e07a63/DSC02942.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/67c67bce30e8ca5d717b924917b2d68e1ebcb9280247bd47dbda28e24386acff/DSC02968.JPG" data-mid="130473143" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/67c67bce30e8ca5d717b924917b2d68e1ebcb9280247bd47dbda28e24386acff/DSC02968.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f50ded04c98660971e89fa09f0ea6b531c84cbb87f723ff7e74b2436f9edaf69/DSC02974.JPG" data-mid="130473144" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f50ded04c98660971e89fa09f0ea6b531c84cbb87f723ff7e74b2436f9edaf69/DSC02974.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/09bef7a6b6deea9f40e2497efaff6993a6a9ada684d366d39a21ed60aa0a1d64/DSC02977.JPG" data-mid="130473146" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/09bef7a6b6deea9f40e2497efaff6993a6a9ada684d366d39a21ed60aa0a1d64/DSC02977.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7c9a424a60730e2301c042d7c07a74312e21b4231047809f72333d51e8411218/DSC02986.JPG" data-mid="130473147" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7c9a424a60730e2301c042d7c07a74312e21b4231047809f72333d51e8411218/DSC02986.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bea1fc096f925446932a5e55bb83ace10eba709b1196700d51286c2330a38cef/DSC02991.JPG" data-mid="130473148" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bea1fc096f925446932a5e55bb83ace10eba709b1196700d51286c2330a38cef/DSC02991.JPG" /> https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Pollination-Station Sun, 09 Jan 2022 20:22:47 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Pollination-Station #003 Pollination Station 26–11–2021︎ Foraging ︎ Community ︎ Pollination &nbsp; &nbsp; Existing on a slightly larger context, more than one cabinet can be arranged together in a larger vacant space in a residential area. They provide a growing space for edible pollinator plants, bringing together people around the joys and rituals surrounding food and cooking. &nbsp; &nbsp; As the herbs make the cabinet and its surroundings their home, people tend to them using a set of tools, carefully collecting leaves and leaving recipes and notes for others who interact with the cabinet. &nbsp; &nbsp; At the same time, the flowering plants feed native pollinators, such as solitary bees or butterflies, for whom the cabinets also create new reference points and sanctuaries in the city. <img width="7645" height="5179" width_o="7645" height_o="5179" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ce3c1422bcdb84905db0c565e459168d2a1110d9561fc50fe0d1dd3a56ecd20a/cabinet_story_sliced_clean_31.gif" data-mid="129552931" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ce3c1422bcdb84905db0c565e459168d2a1110d9561fc50fe0d1dd3a56ecd20a/cabinet_story_sliced_clean_31.gif" /> https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Pollination-photos Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:19:41 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Pollination-photos <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7f8d4cf0cf33dffc27d910809660314a15805f5c149c4368c865125b47d9a451/DSC03098.JPG" data-mid="130473865" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7f8d4cf0cf33dffc27d910809660314a15805f5c149c4368c865125b47d9a451/DSC03098.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0e1d4dd6ab67fbc246720c5bf739b55efce88648dd975eabb07583419bb4ee63/DSC03001.JPG" data-mid="130473830" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0e1d4dd6ab67fbc246720c5bf739b55efce88648dd975eabb07583419bb4ee63/DSC03001.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/66ba803bc4f020bcc923e982ea4868104ab86d4596fcd81537f0ef3063bb091c/DSC03178.JPG" data-mid="130474379" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/66ba803bc4f020bcc923e982ea4868104ab86d4596fcd81537f0ef3063bb091c/DSC03178.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/935496ae6a475fb378c22e82fdd5e1e59a0a0fc42e0dc34951a4e6ddf6a96754/DSC03022.JPG" data-mid="130474367" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/935496ae6a475fb378c22e82fdd5e1e59a0a0fc42e0dc34951a4e6ddf6a96754/DSC03022.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b2bb7fda698e47b376c7c0b57d6b4ad89b78b4aa88657a64b8f85e3818e90548/DSC03040.JPG" data-mid="130474369" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b2bb7fda698e47b376c7c0b57d6b4ad89b78b4aa88657a64b8f85e3818e90548/DSC03040.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0e5275f38df3d4e437fed6f3793bf6c67f79647c740c70255eebf19dcf4baf83/DSC03045.JPG" data-mid="130474371" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0e5275f38df3d4e437fed6f3793bf6c67f79647c740c70255eebf19dcf4baf83/DSC03045.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aa5bdb2c4e31bc9e39b211c267329349c6a39913722e6d9bd2b89c94461c243a/DSC03074.JPG" data-mid="130474373" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aa5bdb2c4e31bc9e39b211c267329349c6a39913722e6d9bd2b89c94461c243a/DSC03074.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/06a42e0d911dd7fff71f42d5a222a3393454baf9902dd0ea199c1a56126fa25c/DSC03080.JPG" data-mid="130474375" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/06a42e0d911dd7fff71f42d5a222a3393454baf9902dd0ea199c1a56126fa25c/DSC03080.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/27642a4930f9cb5ea14266d0b4442ea0231e589667c8f5630d683e0284ecfc21/DSC03060.JPG" data-mid="130474404" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/27642a4930f9cb5ea14266d0b4442ea0231e589667c8f5630d683e0284ecfc21/DSC03060.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8d4d1552f301e8ebb76ab522389853c305abb209505c96cf68aa57826570b173/DSC03088.JPG" data-mid="130474414" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8d4d1552f301e8ebb76ab522389853c305abb209505c96cf68aa57826570b173/DSC03088.JPG" /> https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Our-Future-Vision Tue, 11 Jan 2022 08:45:05 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Our-Future-Vision #004 What’s Next? 26–11–2030︎ Vision ︎ Implementation ︎ Experimentation &nbsp; &nbsp; In the future, these scenarios and encounters are shaped in both disruptive but intuitive ways. This organic process of discovery, implementation and growth continues to create new meanings for local citizens and non-humans. &nbsp; &nbsp; The diversity of tools, adaptations and interactions provides a porous infrastructure which becomes increasingly accessible and vernacular. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Maybe experimental tools for conservation develop slowly over time.&nbsp;Perhaps changing climate conditions force some cabinets to change their entire function overnight. Or, in certain cases, we discover that nature is just better left to it’s own devices... <img width="3306" height="2353" width_o="3306" height_o="2353" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1da719408565a3616ea77c23cf4b7c3d924ac701fa5b694a69bfe120f844180e/FUTURE.png" data-mid="129731035" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1da719408565a3616ea77c23cf4b7c3d924ac701fa5b694a69bfe120f844180e/FUTURE.png" /> https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Pollen-A-Short-Film Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:57:34 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/Pollen-A-Short-Film Pollen A Short Story About Pollination 26–11–2021︎ Communication ︎ Video ︎ Drawing ︎ Narrative &nbsp; &nbsp; As we explore themes related to our brief, we became increasingly interested in specific natural processes, such as seed dispersal. What was most insteresting in this was the role of human activity within these systems. In fact, some of our research found that seeds are often transported by cars&nbsp;in and out of cities along major roads.&nbsp; &nbsp;Since nature doesn’t choose the means by which it travels, spreads and evolves, we ask what it means to be more conscious of these inter-related networks of human and non-human life. Furthermore, we are interested in how they can be designed for, to become part of our everyday considerations when experiencing our cities.&nbsp; &nbsp;The short film wemade as a result helps explain and identify some of the possible mechanisms which could be incorporated into our ongoing design process. https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/The-Beguinage Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:57:34 +0000 Dispersal Project Kortrijk https://dispersalproject.cargo.site/The-Beguinage The Beguinage: Tracing Links Between Kortrijk’s History and the Modern Day Context 13–11–2021︎ Reflection ︎ Research ︎ Theory ︎ History of Kortrijk <img width="2048" height="1307" width_o="2048" height_o="1307" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0ba74b85fe283fd5a6e9d40383e2b32dad97afb60561045678707674875f574f/original_e58dd71a83fc65007cf0315d4bbbfc19.jpeg" data-mid="125698673" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0ba74b85fe283fd5a6e9d40383e2b32dad97afb60561045678707674875f574f/original_e58dd71a83fc65007cf0315d4bbbfc19.jpeg" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; Looking over from the rooftop of the Buda Lab, we looked over and spotted the once-hospital on Buda Street, called the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwehospitaal. Founded in 1211, it is one of the oldest hospitals in Belgium and the oldest in Kprtrijk but has since been merged with a bigger, newer hospital outside of the city. Reading up about this place, there are several mentions of the hospital’s initial function, justified by the latin meaning of hospitalis which has more to do with hospitality than illness. This made me think about the different roles of hospitals, and care in a wider social sense, its entanglement with religion, altruism, but more importantly the organic world. From the herbs prepared by the priory to the reed beds people were buried in. &nbsp; &nbsp; In a modern world where our first intuition is that we are accomodating ‘nature’ to exist for our own purposes, how can we think of the balance of power being reversed in the first place? How, throughout the years, have we been accommodated by the world around us instead? How has the river Leie facilitated life in Kortrijk, its various industries &amp; what agency do these natural forces hold? Are they more than we imagined them to be? &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; From the microbes and early soil communities that once made the planet hospitabe for other life, the succession of nature can once again be observed in the post-industrial spaces, brownfield sites and vacant lots around Kortrijk. &nbsp; &nbsp; Leading further into the idea of accommodation, the beguinages in Kortrijk and other regions have historically served as a refuge and community for women. Traditionally, the role of a beguinage was associated with the church. The lack of female social status in later life when not affiliated with a male, in marriage or otherwise made it necessary to put measures in place for those who could become more viulnerable. Activities that took place in the beguinage included textile (flax) production, nursing, crafts and tutoring of local children, to generate value and an income for its inhabitants. Every day, its doors were shut at night. &nbsp; &nbsp; Today, it operates as part privately rented rooms and part social housing for those with lower income or lack of settled status. Could this message of inclusivity and cohabitation be re-thought in a more-than human context? &nbsp; &nbsp; As the future draws nearer, we are in need of shifting our relations with the ecosystems we are part of, and agents within them. Indeed, like in the case of the beguinage, the nature inhabiting our city is in need of similar protection, and failing that, a new place to thrive. Given the authority of a similar kind of institution, it is interesting to ask how nature could act autonomously on its own terms. Another scenario where this has been demonstrated more recently is the children’s island, (Wildebras). Here kids are invited to be immersed in an environment of their own, which they are allowed greater control over - to take measured risks and ultimately learn more during the process. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cities can be seen as inherently private spaces, with public space being defined only as a means of going between the private. However, the majority of greenery and wildlife also exists within a similar duality between the public/private. In contrast to what we consider as the ‘wild’, objects of so-called ‘nature’ also lose their anonymity and status as a result of the constant human gaze, much like the women who were first invited to use the beguinage. So, we are talking about safety in numbers, but also about being left alone, except for being facilitated and supported by a wider, generally unobtrusive system. &nbsp; &nbsp; This also made me think of a conversation with Eliette as we toured Kortrijk on bike about male-dominated public infrastructure. Cities willing to provide skate parks or basketball courts are often unwittingly excluding women from those areas, which become defined by the prevailing demographic most likely to utilise them, which is often male. Eliette also argued that this is more prevalent among those in their teenage years, where important social values are built which go on to reflect individuals through their adulthood. By approaching the subject through feminist ecology, then, we can start to see similar patterns of marginalisation emerging. &nbsp; &nbsp; In a similar way, we perpetuate the exclusion, domestication or over-aestheticisation of other kinds of life in our built environments. Where it exists in the public sphere, it often becomes a nuisance, because the built environment has been designed in an exclusively anthropocentric way. This means urban architecture can sometimes anticipate unexpected human events or encounters, but rarely those of other species. Unsightly for the majority in contrast to the neat cubes of concrete and stone, the plants that have come to be called ‘weeds’ .&nbsp; &nbsp; Foxes tear up binbags and pigeons shit all over the windscreens of our nice cars. As a consequence, we are faced with a conflict of our ideals. We enjoy nature when we picture a far-away forest, as a symbol of purity when our smoothie suggests its ingredients are ‘100% natural’ yet the nature we are connected with in our daily lives becomes undervalued, regular. Yet, it has often been suggested that counter-intuitively, cities may hold more biodiversity than many of the rural areas we now so heavily rely on for agriculture and the associated industries that help sustain our cities. &nbsp; &nbsp; So the question is, how can we be surprised by our urban wildlife, and by the everyday. How can we embrace the opportunities that cities present when thinking about diversity, vitality, and mutual careBe