Wasteland Twinning Network

wasteland_twinning_forum01Wasteland Twinning Network hijacks the concept of ‘City Twinning’ and applies it to urban Wastelands in order to generate a network for parallel research and action. By subverting the City Twinning concept that aims to parade a city’s more predictable cultural assets and shifting the focus to wastelands, new questions of value and function are raised. Wasteland Twinning aims to develop an understanding of the potential of these sites through transdisciplinary models of practice. Wasteland Twinning is led by independent artists and researchers, that offers the potential for cultural comparison to take place on a local and international scale – going beyond the obvious to examine often invisible perspectives on power relations, land use, urban development and ecology. Through engaged and critical approaches, we hope to uncover some of the peculiarities and commonalities of the wasteland sites.

 

In 2009, Will Foster and Matthias Einhoff founded Wasteland Twinning Network (WTF). Together with Lars Hayer an internet platform was developed, which serves as an archive and research database. By now more than 20 wasteland ‘patrons’ have joined the network. In late  2012, the participating artists from Europe, Asia and Australia came together in a forum at the Center for Art and Urbanistics (ZKU), Berlin. Interventions and performances were developed to manifest the twinning partnerships. Additionally presentations, guest lectures, controversial debates and workshops were held throughout this one week meeting. Participating artists: Saubin Yap (Kuala Lumpur), Will Foster and Alex Head (UK), Ferdinand Thajib (Yogyakarta) and Ansgar Reul (Amsterdam), Rebecca Beinhart, Matthew Trivett.
 www.wasteland-twinning.net
www.wasteland-twinning.net/forum
wasteland_twinning_website