Sphan | The land of rabbits
In this research the artist explored the possibilities of natural materials and primitive technology while using only site-specific materials which were sourced from less than 100 meters radius around residency, to reflect the sustainability and show the natural beauty of unique local materials.
During her stay at the residency, Austėja encountered wild rabbits in the area, which led her to research their digestive system and feces. Rabbits are coprophagic animals, meaning, they reingest their own droppings in order to utilise nutrients that are initially absorbed ineffectively. These types of feces are commonly known as 'night droppings' and are eaten immediately after defecation. Whereas, the pellets left behind by a rabbit are the final waste product after the redigestion of night droppings.
For the artist, this was a remarkable example of the circular economy in nature and a great chance to experiment with new alternative hay-like material. After weeks of collecting and processing, she created a biodegradable art object composed of rabbit feces and starch-based bioplastic, that will decompose and find a new purpose back at the very spot where she collected the droppings from.
An abstract round-shaped object was created for the local rabbits - that's why it was made in rabbit size scale, but the discussion behind the object is for humanity: do we need to replicate the natural process and “eat the shit we create" if we want to extend our life on this planet ant postpone the world ending scenarios?
Information submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank.
Ingredients
Rabbit feces, starch-based bioplastic.