Spark Birds & The Loneliness of Species
Kasteel buitenplaats Wijlre
14.05.2023 — 03.12.2023
The work of photographer Louisiana van Onna (NL, 1995) often explores biodiversity and the human relationship to natural phenomena. She frequently collaborates with biologists and other scientists, as she did in the project featured in this exhibition about the Eurasian hoopoe. In this piece, Van Onna traced the bird’s ‘hoop-hoop-hoop’ call as spoken in different languages along its migration route. The work is part of a series focused on migratory birds, such as the bee-eater and turtle dove, which, despite their popularity, are hunted due to their attractive appearance. In her research into the Eurasian hoopoe, which is scientifically known as Upupa Epops, Van Onna‘s used imaginative and intuitive methods to learn more about it. She talked to language experts and a musician who plays the oboe to get more information. Each person analysed the bird’s call from their area of expertise. Is it true that the sound is oboe-like, as some bird guidebooks suggest? Is the bird’s call voiced the same in Dutch as in Spanish or French? Van Onna’s work aims to increase awareness about the conservation issues around this special bird. It also subtly questions the notion of borders and nations, and advocates for a more inclusive and horizontal approach to the world we live in.
Xander Karskens
Director of Buitenplaats Kasteel Wijlre
Upupa Epops
Video, 07:41 min
In the installation, next to the triplet you'll find a video work. Whilst searching for the sound of the hoopoe I talked to people from different language backgrounds and professions to find out how we perceive the call of this bird. In this video I'm wondering does the bird's call live up to its name?
Spark Birds & The Loneliness of Species
Kasteel buitenplaats Wijlre
14.05.2023 — 03.12.2023
The work of photographer Louisiana van Onna (NL, 1995) often explores biodiversity and the human relationship to natural phenomena. She frequently collaborates with biologists and other scientists, as she did in the project featured in this exhibition about the Eurasian hoopoe. In this piece, Van Onna traced the bird’s ‘hoop-hoop-hoop’ call as spoken in different languages along its migration route. The work is part of a series focused on migratory birds, such as the bee-eater and turtle dove, which, despite their popularity, are hunted due to their attractive appearance. In her research into the Eurasian hoopoe, which is scientifically known as Upupa Epops, Van Onna‘s used imaginative and intuitive methods to learn more about it. She talked to language experts and a musician who plays the oboe to get more information. Each person analysed the bird’s call from their area of expertise. Is it true that the sound is oboe-like, as some bird guidebooks suggest? Is the bird’s call voiced the same in Dutch as in Spanish or French? Van Onna’s work aims to increase awareness about the conservation issues around this special bird. It also subtly questions the notion of borders and nations, and advocates for a more inclusive and horizontal approach to the world we live in.
Xander Karskens
Director of Buitenplaats Kasteel Wijlre
