Jiaheng Xu
This project delves into the intricate relationship between human actions and the environment through two distinct parts. The first part employs a video-based approach, taking the olive plantations in the Beja region as a case study. Through interviews with plantation owners and residents, it unveils issues associated with the excessive use of chemical agents and the definition of "pests". This segment aims to provoke contemplation on human behaviours of controlling the population of certain organisms for economic gain, which subsequently leads to environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, soil salinization, groundwater contamination, population displacement, and the exacerbation of extreme weather events.
The second part adopts the perspective of insects, vividly illustrating their living environment and daily life, such as evading predators, enduring rainy scenarios, and flying in the woods. This unique and engaging approach allows the audience to understand the world of insects and reflect on human actions’ implications on the ecosystem.
The project, by directly addressing the destruction of nature due to human activities, aims to stimulate public thought on environmental issues and foster awareness towards our ecosystems. Through the fusion of storytelling and an empathetic view into the life of often misunderstood organisms, this project poses a pressing inquiry into our environmental stewardship.
