The disappearance of the fireflies | Research project

As a child, in summer, I often saw fireflies at night in the groves. It was a magical sight.

I haven't seen any for a long time.

My research is to develop an implementation of formal and narrative retranscription of a forest ecosystem and the impact of human activity on it. Now we know that climate change is partly due to human activity, but we have also seen, as all over the world when the lockdown led to reduced human activity, nature has regained its rights in all spaces, invading even urban spaces. “The disappearance of the fireflies” consists of a reflection on the impact of human beings on climate change through an artistic exploration of a forest ecosystem.

Approaching the topic of the forest ecosystem and its relationship with human impact, I believed I already had a strong understanding of the subject matter. Due to my passion for this topic, which is closely connected to the sense of wonder I experienced during childhood, a fundamental aspect of live performance, I felt confident in my knowledge. However, as I delved deeper into scientific research, I was surprised to discover that this world of life and death was far more poetic than technical. The narrative already existed in a masterful but often invisible way.

Model research n°1

As a result, I decided to alter my strategy and focus on making this story visible. As a scenographer, I utilized my strengths to develop research models that would effectively express dramaturgy through volumes and communicate a concept through space.

Model research n°2

Model research n°3

The effect of the disappearance of fireflies was reinforced by my observation of life in situ. The awareness of its beauty and diversity reveals the severity of its loss. Westerners have lost touch with nature and we cannot respect what does not exist. My research is underpinned by the concept of “rediscovering the Living to collaborate with it”. With small independent models, I roll out sequences that follow one another in a journey through an ecosystem. Unveil the layers of life in the soil, connect the roots of a dead tree to the birth of terrariums, and bring the visitor from under the earth to the tops of trees.

Installations in the woods.

Sketches.

Research model.

creation of terrariums in plastic bottles.

Sketches and variation of the installation in the Schwerin woods

Supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media within the program NEUSTART KULTUR. #TakeHeart | Rechercheförderung