in:between

“in:between” is a material research project about an invasive water plant species obtained in South Tyrol.

People usually notice them as unloved and unpleasant-smelling flotsam. However, it not only has fundamental importance for the aquatic ecosystem but is often also a consequence of human actions. Actions such as over-fertilisation and our global lifestyle favoured the spread of this plant and eventually led to one of the most invasive aquatic plants, greatly reducing biodiversity in the Northern Hemisphere.

The starting point of this project was the realisation that at Wolfsgrubener See in Oberbozen, more than 200 tons of aquatic plants are removed and composted every year to control the overpopulation problem.

At this point, I began to wonder if aquatic plants could also be a more valuable resource in South Tyrol, a country known primarily for its beautiful landscapes and mountains.

“in:between” shows different ways of using this largely unknown resource in this region. Although it seems to be an unconventional choice of material, it could also prove to have great potential in South Tyrol. With this work, I want to find a way to contribute to the rethinking of people and their relationship with aquatic plants in South Tyrol.