Crustecean Lessons In Control

CRUSTACEAN LESSONS IN CONTROL

By Liza Willhemsen and Noa Jansma

Installation and research for Waterschap de Dommel, lead by Design Academy Eindhoven Non School Professorship Aug–Oct 2022.

An installation at the

https://ddw.nl/en/programme/9424/crustacean-lessons-in-control" data-pdfs="" data-images="" data-note="" >Water Embassy during Dutch Design Week 2022

that researches the challenges of the watertransition by looking at the implications of the presence of the American Riverlobster in the river the Dommel. It investigates the human wish to control nature and reflects on our position within complex ecosystems.

How local exotics teach us about the complexities of our own presence

Our dykes, polders and strict water management are part of our national pride. Is this pride accompanied by arrogance towards humans and non-humans?

Due to the overwhelming effects of climate change, we are gradually understanding that more control and technology is not always the best and only solution. We realize that we need to switch to a more nature- inclusive approach that accepts rewilding.

How do we treat water not as a manageable material, but as the living and complex dynamic entity that it is? Willemsen and Jansma’s installation explores the challenges of the water transition by looking at the presence of the American river lobster in the Dommel River.

The American river lobster living in Dutch waters are considered an invasive exotic species that quickly colonizes our streams and rivers. The result is a serious loss of biodiversity, shore erosion and degradation of water quality. Experts put a lot of effort into combating this species, but the animal is not easy to tame. This project invites us to think along on what it would mean to work with non-human species, think in alternative timescales, letting go of our perception of control and accept messy wilderness.