Bilbao
Hasselt
EXOTE is a garden containing both plants and animals, installed in a museum.
EXOTE therefore occupies a place in the history of man and his desire to shape nature. One can find scientific, hanging, royal and butterfly gardens throughout history. But EXOTE is an ‘end of the world’ landscape, where the visitors are obliged to walk around in protective suits. Both the plants and the animals belong among the ‘exotic species’, a selection of the 100 most invasive plant and animal species in the world.
EXOTE I (2011, BE)
EXOTE I displays a selection of the most invasive non-native species (flora and fauna) of Belgium. Think for example of the plant called Japanese Knotweed, which effortlessly grows through concrete, for it to become clear that we shall not be dealing with a ‘normal’ garden.
EXOTE II (2016, SP)
EXOTE II features a selection of the most invasive non-native species of the Basque Country. The garden consists mainly of turtles (Trachemys scripta), alongside the Buddleja Davidii and others.
Definition of exotic species (Wikipedia):
Exotic species are species living outside their native distributional range. They have arrived there by human activity, either deliberate (for economical purposes) or accidental (for example by ‘travelling’ along with tourists). Some so-called ‘introduced’ species are damaging to the ecosystem they are introduced into. In some cases they suppress, infect or mix with the native species and consequently change the ecosystems. Exotic species therefore are considered to be a worldwide threat to biodiversity. There are also exotic species that cause health problems or economical damage.
The aim is to create a garden, in the museum, that could present a real danger to the eco-system if any of the plants and/or animals were to ‘escape’. This means it is essential that anyone wishing to enter the garden puts on a protective suit and after their walk in the garden has a sort of ‘dry shower’ to remove any seeds or spoors. As long as this selection of plants remains within the garden, they are only potentially dangerous. But if they find their way into the natural surroundings the danger becomes real. It is not only the public, but also everyone involved in the organisation who must realise that literally not one single particle of these plants may ‘escape’. All the safety risks and measures are part of the work of art itself: setting it up and dismantling it, destroying the plants after the exhibition and so on. It is also essential that everyone involved is well-informed and documented about all the possible dangers.
Some of these plants have a strange beauty while being extremely aggressive at the same time: they can grow to 2 or 3 metres high in just a few months. EXOTE is the negative counterpart to the Garden of Eden. This is potentially the landscape of our future. If biodiversity continues to be eroded, we shall end up in the landscape I want to display here: a ‘poor’, inhospitable mono-world where only a few species grow, while the people who live there have to protect themselves in all sorts of ways from an environment they have themselves created. This idea is an extension of several traditions: tropical botanical gardens (such as the Royal Hothouses), biological laboratory experiments, ornamental gardens, etc.
To make the selection of flora and fauna, cooperation are established with scientists. They have the knowledge and expertise needed to make this project work. For EXOTE I (2011, BE) we worked together with the University of Diepenbeek and the Z33 contemporary art centre in Hasselt. During EXOTE II (2016, SP) we were adviced by the Ecology and Plant Biology department EHU/UPV, ICARUS (Environmental Studies), EL KARPIN (Wildlife Centre), BRINZAL (Recovery Center for nocturnal birds of prey) and the Bilbao City Hall Gardening Department.
EXOTE I (2011, BE)
We only have to think of the plant called Japanese Knotweed (for a detailed description see appendix 1), which effortlessly grows through concrete, for it to become clear that we shall not be dealing with a ‘normal’ garden. In appendix 2 you will find a list of plants that can be considered for this garden. It is not difficult to make a similar list of animals.
Appendix 1
Japanese Knotweed
Fallopia japonica, synonyme: Polygonum cuspidatum, is a member of the family Polygonaceae. Japanese knotweed is native to eastern Asia in Japan, China and Korea. In North America and Europe (also: the Netherlands and Belgium) the species is very successful. In the U.S. and Europe, Japanese knotweed is widely considered an invasive species. It is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species.
The invasive root system and strong growth can damage foundations, buildings, flood defences, roads, paving, retaining walls and architectural sites. The success of the species has been partially attributed to its tolerance of a very wide range of soil types, pH and salinity. It is a frequent colonizer of temperate riparian ecosystems, roadsides and waste places. It forms thick, dense colonies that completely crowd out any other herbaceous species and is now considered one of the worst invasive exotics in parts of the eastern United States. Its rhizomes can survive temperatures of −35 °C and can extend 7 metres horizontally and 3 metres deep, making removal by excavation extremely difficult. The plant is also resilient to cutting, vigorously re-sprouting from the roots.
The most effective method of control is by herbicide application close to the flowering stage in late summer or autumn. In some cases it is possible to eradicate Japanese knotweed in one growing season using only herbicides. To eradicate the plant the roots need to be killed. Picking the right herbicide is essential, as it must travel through the plant and into the root system below. Glyphosate is the best active ingredient in herbicide for use on Japanese knotweed as it is ’systemic’; it penetrates through the whole plant and travels to the roots.
It takes about 3 weeks for most of the plants to die. After 3 weeks, all remaining plants should be sprayed again. This process needs to be repeated until all the plants die. Typically this can take 3 years.
Appendix 2
List of invasive plants
“The site specific condition can be seen in other works at ‘Prototipoak’, like EXOTE of the Belgian artist Kris Verdonck which reflects on the capability of humankind to transform ecosystems. Spectators enter a garden installation which is, in reality, a homogeneous and restless place where the laws of the strongest have destroyed biodiversity. The Chinese plant Buddleja Davidii and the Trachemys scripta turtles, originally from the North of Mexico, have become the only residents of this ruined landscape. “Wanting a Walt-Disney-looking environment, having animals and plants like things we get rid off without shame, has consequences for the environment” laments Rosa Casado, one of the curators of the festival."
Gerardo Elorriaga on EXOTE II (2016, SP) in El Correo
EXOTE I (2011)
Concept & direction: Kris Verdonck
Dramaturgy: Marianne Van Kerkhoven
Production: Z33 & A Two Dogs Company
With the support of: Provincie Limburg, the Flemish Authorities, the VGC (Commission of the Flemish Community in Brussels), Klara, Cobra.be, Groep C and Levis
EXOTE II (2016)
Concept & direction: Kris Verdonck
Dramaturgy: Marianne Van Kerkhoven
Production: A Two Dogs Company
Collaboration: Mercedes Herrera (Ecology and Plant Biology department EHU/UPV), Iñigo Zuberogoitia Arroyo (ICARUS (Environmental Studies)), Pedro Abad (EL KARPIN (Wildlife Centre)), Patricia Orejas (BRINZAL (Recovery Center for nocturnal birds of prey)), Mitxel Ipiña (Gardener) and Bilbao City Hall Gardening Department
With the support of: the Flemish Authorities, the VGC (Commission of the Flemish Community in Brussels)