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RAABJERG, single channel video, stereo, dur. 29:31 min.
Sound by Marijn Ottenhof
RAABJERG explores the changing landscape of northern Jutland (DK) from the last Ice Age until today, and the following attempts at ‘restoring’ and ‘reestablishing’ a ‘natural’ landscape.
Climate change and human extraction of natural resources in the late Middle Ages, led to violent sand drift in the northern part of Denmark, and transformed the once fertile landscape into a barren wasteland. From the 16th to the 19th century, different governments – from kings to elected parliaments – enacted laws to try to reverse it. After 200 years, they succeeded and started reintroducing plants to the dunes, thus slowly transforming the landscape back to its previous state.
Today, however, the dune landscapes are considered natural, especially by the many tourists who visit them each summer, and efforts are now focused on preserving them. But the landscape is not bound by our notions of it – it is in constant transition. How do you preserve transition?
The film was commisioned by the Biennale für Aktuele Fotografie 2022 in Mannheim (DE), March 2022.
Supported by Die Biennale für Aktuele Fotografie and Mondriaan Funds.
