Day 1: Ecological Perspectives and Local Practices

The first day of the Spring Assembly provided a comprehensive exploration of ecological perspectives, ranging from local nature sites (like the garden of M.1), to regional agricultural land use and cultural concepts (such as the Anthropocene). It was an attempt to create an open space of knowledge for all participants, extending transversally from personal/intimate ‘nature’ sites to agriculturally used land to NatureCulture concepts. The event brought together personal, scientific, agricultural and cultural perspectives and highlighted how closely ecological issues are intertwined with questions of social justice. It also made clear where potential lines of conflict lie.

During a walk through the garden of M.1 with Ulrike Boskamp, we learned how the plants, shrubs and trees found their way there and what permaculture measures are to be taken in the future. Inke Magens provided insights into current and historical aspects of agriculture in the region and its ecological and social implications. A central topic was the importance of specific soil properties such as grain size, water retention capacity, air circulation and temperature for plant health and long-term soil fertility. Discussions focused on the significance of soil properties—such as grain size, water retention, air circulation, and temperature—for plant health and long-term soil fertility. The conversation further addressed the impact of soil types, intensive fertilization, and soil sealing on agricultural ecosystems. Sustainable agricultural practices were highlighted as essential for maintaining food security and environmental protection, while the future of agriculture was discussed in the context of climate change, water scarcity, and technological transformations, including precision farming and automated systems.

An important thematic thread emerged [See the exhibition as "contact zone"—the exhibition as an open space of friction and negotiation], where diverse interests and representations collide. The role of farmers' associations was debated, revealing a tension between external perceptions of conservatism and internal diversity, further complicated by political demarcations. The conflict lies e.g. between different desires and needs (nature conservationists for the preservation of sea otters vs. the existential fears of fish farmers) and problems of representation (the image of farmers‘ associations was seen from the outside as traditionalist by some, while from the inside it was perceived as diverse, with reference to the political demarcation of the farmers’ association against the right wing). This important moment highlighted the different perspectives that are often perpetuated separately but are rarely discussed in a shared (public) space.

Finally, we explored the social and political dimensions of environmental destruction with Christian Huck. The cultural scientist emphasised that ecological crises have not only scientific causes but also social and historical ones. Building on an essay by Raymond Williams, the discussion focused on how the Western separation of humans and nature is coming to a head in the Anthropocene – an era in which certain groups in particular are contributing disproportionately to the destruction of ecosystems through economic and political power structures. The example of the Dakota Access Pipeline was used to illustrate how environmental destruction often comes at the expense of marginalised communities, especially indigenous populations. Huck called for greater consideration of historically disempowered voices and for the recognition of alternative ways of life and economic systems as possible responses to the ecological crisis. Finally, the role of free trade was critically examined, in particular its impact on local markets in the ‘Global South’.

Unfortunately, we did not have time to relate these global aspects back to a micro-political level, to the local situation in Schleswig-Holstein, to family farms that may not be considered "indigenous" but are nevertheless not represented in the system of financialised capitalism.

Day 2: Artistic Practices and Transformation

The day started with a notable intervention by artist Daniela Zambrano, which provided a poignant exploration of colonial history and indigenous practices. Zambrano led a ceremony in the garden of M.1, planting Andean potatoes—a practice rooted in Quechua (Peru) traditions. The ritual incorporated gifts to the earth, including flowers and beer, symbolizing gratitude and respect for the land. Zambrano’s reading of a text on the colonial history of the potato, linked to the extraction of gold from Peru and the travel history of the potato, underscored the exploitative dynamics of European imperial powers. The planting process itself sparked a moment of cultural negotiation: while the Quechua tradition emphasizes direct contact with the soil, the no-dig-method involved covering potatoes with hay—a practical adaptation to the ground conditions (gravel) in the garden of M.1. This divergence led to a moment of confusion and reflection, further heightened when a participant lost a grandmother's golden ring—a poetic, unplanned intervention that resonated with the theme of colonial extraction.

The second day shifted focus to the role of artistic practice in urban, rural, and peripheral transformation processes. Eva Hertzsch and Adam Page shared their long-standing projects in Berlin-Hellersdorf, where they combined artistic engagement with community work, urban development, and social participation. Their decade-long collaboration with Alice Salomon University and local initiatives led to the creation of a community centre, serving as a platform for intercultural exchange and civic engagement. They emphasised the need to interweave artistic engagement more closely with political, social and urban structures. Their focus was on the development of a community centre and pavilion in Hellersdorf, Berlin, Germany which was created in cooperation with the Alice Salomon University and local initiatives. Over a period of ten years, a space for intercultural exchange and social participation was created, which is both an architectural and artistic location and a platform for civic engagement. This demonstrated how urban practice can assert itself against institutional planning processes – often more quickly, more flexibly and with greater proximity to the needs of residents.

Frauke Gerstenberg presented the "Haus der Statistik" in Berlin as a model of successful urban transformation through artistic intervention. A previously vacant administrative building was reimagined as a public welfare-oriented urban neighborhood through civic participation and cultural use. Leon Bischinger's showed his activities in rural Saxony, which created one-to-one encounters through sometimes elaborate, sometimes low-key performance formats with a converted ‘goulash cannon’ (a field kitchen used by the Bundeswehr).

These projects collectively demonstrated the potential of artistic practices to function not only as aesthetic expressions but also as structural catalysts for social change. The discussions emphasized the importance of context—local conditions, populations, and landscapes—shaping the impact and sustainability of these transformative initiatives.