Niek Kosten

NOT IN MY BACKYARD!

An (incomplete) Visual, Physical & Societal Dissection of the (Invasive Alien) Plant Species Japanese Knotweed.
			
An invasive alien is spreading rapidly and threatening our native species, biodiversity, and infrastructure. What can we do and how should we react? What is its impact? Can we return to a landscape free of these exotics or should we challenge our protectionist attitude? What role can we play?

Photographer Kristof Vrancken and graphic designer Niek Kosten investigate and dissect the position of the plant species Japanese knotweed in their environment. Not in my backyard! showcases a wide array of experimental work that explores various visual and imaginative strategies to relate to the issue of invasives and connect with our natural habitat as a whole. It presents a collection of rhizomatic ideas, invasive insights, and artistic interpretations adapting to a world in transformation. By renegotiating the position of the knotweed we might find a new way of living together.

The research was published in a book (ISBN: 978-90-761-0115-6) and exhibited at Z33 (BE), X-Lab Festival of the University of Hasselt (BE), and at Mediamatic (NL) as part of the Japanese Knotweed Festival.
🔗 www.notinmybackyard.be
🔗 www.z33.be
🔗 www.mediamatic.net
📷 www.kristof-vrancken.com