Don Quijote in the Urk World
This application concerns financial support for carrying out a communication project that includes staging a theatre piece and arranging an exhibition called “Don Quijote in the Urk World”. The project embraces Långsjö theatre’s ongoing work with “Don Quijote de La Mancha” by Cervantes and Björn Wallsten’s research and doctoral thesis on urban mining: “The Urk World”.
The aim of the project is to shed light on Björn´s research with the help of artistic methods and to come up with new perspectives and questions. The project problematizes our society’s unsustainable need of metals and presents alternative perspectives on mineral-resource use as well as mining. Moreover, the project aims to discuss urban mining as a complementary strategy to primary extraction of minerals and the much needed transition to a society based on a more circular economy.
The project is a collaboration between Långsjö teater, Björn Wallsten, Reaktorhallen på Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH) and Ecorado/ Läroriket where Ecorado/ Läroriket contributes with expertise on learning and communication of sustainability issues. School classes and ordinary public will be able to see the performance/ exhibition, which includes a theatre piece that is cross-boundary in several ways; the stage, the sound-landscape, projections and the set-design will function also as an exhibition when it is not used in the performance.
The project will be initiated in Reaktorhallen at KTH in the autumn of 2019.
Final report
The theme, purpose and development of the project
The theme of our communication project has consisted of exploring a unique symbiosis between art and research in the form of an interactive theatre set and exhibition called "Don Quixote in the World of URKs." The project combined Långsjö theatre’s interpretation of Cervantes’ “Don Quijote de la Mancha” with Björn Wallstein’s pioneering research on urban mining and his doctoral thesis “The URK World – Hibernating Infrastructures and the Quest for Urban Mining.” The overall purpose of the project was to use artistic methods to communicate and highlight complex issues from the research, thereby generating new perspectives and questions among visitors from a broad public. By problematizing society's unsustainable use of metals, the project sought to highlight alternative perspectives and solutions to address mineral resource issues. The discussion about urban mining as an alternative to traditional mining and the transition to a more circular economy was central, and the project has thus played an important role in broadening the understanding of sustainability challenges and supplementing the current environmental debate. Despite the pandemic-related difficulties that arose during the project (more below), "Don Quixote in the World of URKs" has been a successful merger of art and research. It has not only presented Björn Wallstein’s pioneering work in an accessible way but also stimulated a deeper reflection about society’s use of mineral resources. The project has demonstrated the power of using artistic means to communicate complex research topics and open doors for dialogue and change.
Summary of implementation and discussion of the project objectives achieved
The set "Don Quixote in the World of URKs" was carried out as a multi-faceted work of art that integrated circus, exhibition, documentary elements, theatre play, performance and sound work. At the playground in Reaktorhallen at KTH in Stockholm, artists Patrick Dallard and Julia Adzuki created an innovative scenography with a sounding tube sculpture. These elements were used both as climbing tools for the circus artist Katarin Rosén and as an interactive tool for the audience to create sound. Johanna Törnqvist engaged school classes through workshops and created costumes for the actors Angela Wand, David Carmel and Dag Andersson. Sound and music were created by Tomas Björkdal and Jonatan Ed, while video works and interviews were produced by David Winnerstam and Maria Magdolna Beky Winnersstam. Annika Lykta contributed printed exhibition material, and Björn Wallsten ensured the project's scientific work height.
In order to anchor the project in society and specifically in the education system, learning materials were created aimed at conveying knowledge on the subjects of urban mining and sustainable resource management. Through the implementation of workshops in the schools of the Region Stockholm, the project managed to create a direct interaction with young people and introduce them to the complexity and importance of managing mineral resources in a sustainable way.
Unfortunately, unexpected complications occurred just after the opening, which was the project’s central focus. The global pandemic, which broke out just before the planned launch date, caused a sudden pause and forced the project to rethink and adjust its strategies. The restrictions and health protection measures limited the possibility of carrying out all planned activities, which posed a challenge to the original planning and expectations of the project, and unfortunately made it impossible to carry out several of the show's booked occasions and guided shows. The panel discussion, one of the key elements of the project to stimulate discussion and reflection on sustainable resource management, was cancelled with only a few days' notice. This was an unfortunate interruption that affected the possibilities for a deeper and broader dialogue on the complex issues addressed by the project.
The discussion of whether the overall objectives of the project have been achieved must therefore be contextualized against the challenges posed by the pandemic. Despite the unforeseen obstacles, the project has reached out to the intended target groups, creating memorable experiences and opening up new ways of thinking for those who had the opportunity to visit the performances that were held.
Experiences and lessons learned
During the implementation of "Don Quixote in the World of URKs", several valuable lessons and insights emerged that will guide us in future projects. The multidisciplinary nature of the project emphasized the importance of integrating art and research to create a deeper understanding and engagement. We have learned that artistic expressions are powerful tools for communicating complex scientific topics in an accessible way and that this opens up opportunities for broader social dialogue. Bringing schoolchildren together with artists and researchers in workshops has emerged as a successful method of raising awareness of sustainability challenges among young people. This interaction has not only inspired the students but also provided them with practical tools to explore and discuss these issues in a more active way.
For upcoming projects, we bring the insight to include different art forms and interactive elements to create an engaging and thought-provoking experience for the audience. The interactive elements of the project not only generated an active dialogue among visitors but also called for reflection on their own consumption and how it affects global mineral resources. Questions about the possibilities of urban mining and the transition to a circular economy were recurring themes. The project also aroused curiosity about the practical and technical challenges of urban mining and what policy measures are needed to support sustainable development in this area. By deliberately incorporating interactivity and humor into the project’s performances, an atmosphere was created in which visitors were not just passive spectators but active participants. This approach was crucial to creating a memorable and lustful experience, as well as increasing understanding of the complex topics dealt with. Visitors were thus able to relate to the subject in a more personal and engaging way, which gave the project a stronger impact and left a lasting impression. The visitors brought home an awareness of the need to reevaluate our consumption habits and a curiosity to explore alternative sustainable solutions. Finally, what appears to be most significant was that the project left visitors with an openness for continued discussion and reflection around the complex issues of resource management and sustainability that "Don Quixote in the World of URKs" so successfully highlighted.
Web pages and any publications, as well as links to publications published:
Trailer 1: https://youtu.be/i3KZOt9uUOg
Trailer 2: https://youtu.be/gU6T0N6uI4g
Lisa Wanneby/ Urbergsgruppen: http://youtu.be/OEIxk4yAbVY
Lars-Åke Lindahl/ Swemin: https://youto.be /ouOalNOSXG0
Heléne Axelsson/ Iron Office: https://youtu.be/wX7rU7Mf_p8
Björn Wallsten: https://youtu.be/jptFdkYGUnQ
Långsjö Theatre: https://langsjoteater.se/forestallningar/by the way/urkarnasvarld.html
The theme of our communication project has consisted of exploring a unique symbiosis between art and research in the form of an interactive theatre set and exhibition called "Don Quixote in the World of URKs." The project combined Långsjö theatre’s interpretation of Cervantes’ “Don Quijote de la Mancha” with Björn Wallstein’s pioneering research on urban mining and his doctoral thesis “The URK World – Hibernating Infrastructures and the Quest for Urban Mining.” The overall purpose of the project was to use artistic methods to communicate and highlight complex issues from the research, thereby generating new perspectives and questions among visitors from a broad public. By problematizing society's unsustainable use of metals, the project sought to highlight alternative perspectives and solutions to address mineral resource issues. The discussion about urban mining as an alternative to traditional mining and the transition to a more circular economy was central, and the project has thus played an important role in broadening the understanding of sustainability challenges and supplementing the current environmental debate. Despite the pandemic-related difficulties that arose during the project (more below), "Don Quixote in the World of URKs" has been a successful merger of art and research. It has not only presented Björn Wallstein’s pioneering work in an accessible way but also stimulated a deeper reflection about society’s use of mineral resources. The project has demonstrated the power of using artistic means to communicate complex research topics and open doors for dialogue and change.
Summary of implementation and discussion of the project objectives achieved
The set "Don Quixote in the World of URKs" was carried out as a multi-faceted work of art that integrated circus, exhibition, documentary elements, theatre play, performance and sound work. At the playground in Reaktorhallen at KTH in Stockholm, artists Patrick Dallard and Julia Adzuki created an innovative scenography with a sounding tube sculpture. These elements were used both as climbing tools for the circus artist Katarin Rosén and as an interactive tool for the audience to create sound. Johanna Törnqvist engaged school classes through workshops and created costumes for the actors Angela Wand, David Carmel and Dag Andersson. Sound and music were created by Tomas Björkdal and Jonatan Ed, while video works and interviews were produced by David Winnerstam and Maria Magdolna Beky Winnersstam. Annika Lykta contributed printed exhibition material, and Björn Wallsten ensured the project's scientific work height.
In order to anchor the project in society and specifically in the education system, learning materials were created aimed at conveying knowledge on the subjects of urban mining and sustainable resource management. Through the implementation of workshops in the schools of the Region Stockholm, the project managed to create a direct interaction with young people and introduce them to the complexity and importance of managing mineral resources in a sustainable way.
Unfortunately, unexpected complications occurred just after the opening, which was the project’s central focus. The global pandemic, which broke out just before the planned launch date, caused a sudden pause and forced the project to rethink and adjust its strategies. The restrictions and health protection measures limited the possibility of carrying out all planned activities, which posed a challenge to the original planning and expectations of the project, and unfortunately made it impossible to carry out several of the show's booked occasions and guided shows. The panel discussion, one of the key elements of the project to stimulate discussion and reflection on sustainable resource management, was cancelled with only a few days' notice. This was an unfortunate interruption that affected the possibilities for a deeper and broader dialogue on the complex issues addressed by the project.
The discussion of whether the overall objectives of the project have been achieved must therefore be contextualized against the challenges posed by the pandemic. Despite the unforeseen obstacles, the project has reached out to the intended target groups, creating memorable experiences and opening up new ways of thinking for those who had the opportunity to visit the performances that were held.
Experiences and lessons learned
During the implementation of "Don Quixote in the World of URKs", several valuable lessons and insights emerged that will guide us in future projects. The multidisciplinary nature of the project emphasized the importance of integrating art and research to create a deeper understanding and engagement. We have learned that artistic expressions are powerful tools for communicating complex scientific topics in an accessible way and that this opens up opportunities for broader social dialogue. Bringing schoolchildren together with artists and researchers in workshops has emerged as a successful method of raising awareness of sustainability challenges among young people. This interaction has not only inspired the students but also provided them with practical tools to explore and discuss these issues in a more active way.
For upcoming projects, we bring the insight to include different art forms and interactive elements to create an engaging and thought-provoking experience for the audience. The interactive elements of the project not only generated an active dialogue among visitors but also called for reflection on their own consumption and how it affects global mineral resources. Questions about the possibilities of urban mining and the transition to a circular economy were recurring themes. The project also aroused curiosity about the practical and technical challenges of urban mining and what policy measures are needed to support sustainable development in this area. By deliberately incorporating interactivity and humor into the project’s performances, an atmosphere was created in which visitors were not just passive spectators but active participants. This approach was crucial to creating a memorable and lustful experience, as well as increasing understanding of the complex topics dealt with. Visitors were thus able to relate to the subject in a more personal and engaging way, which gave the project a stronger impact and left a lasting impression. The visitors brought home an awareness of the need to reevaluate our consumption habits and a curiosity to explore alternative sustainable solutions. Finally, what appears to be most significant was that the project left visitors with an openness for continued discussion and reflection around the complex issues of resource management and sustainability that "Don Quixote in the World of URKs" so successfully highlighted.
Web pages and any publications, as well as links to publications published:
Trailer 1: https://youtu.be/i3KZOt9uUOg
Trailer 2: https://youtu.be/gU6T0N6uI4g
Lisa Wanneby/ Urbergsgruppen: http://youtu.be/OEIxk4yAbVY
Lars-Åke Lindahl/ Swemin: https://youto.be /ouOalNOSXG0
Heléne Axelsson/ Iron Office: https://youtu.be/wX7rU7Mf_p8
Björn Wallsten: https://youtu.be/jptFdkYGUnQ
Långsjö Theatre: https://langsjoteater.se/forestallningar/by the way/urkarnasvarld.html