In Friesland, the cow is everywhere. She is ús mem (translated as our mother)- an icon, proudly adorning a traffic circle as we enter Leeuwarden. Through her we find comfort and recognize the Frisian self-image. She shapes our landscape, provides us with protein and her dairy is the engine of Frisian prosperity. Our milk and cheese still travel all over the world.
At the same time, the cow is not only an icon, but also the subject of debate. In the Netherlands, the size of the herd remains a recurring talking point. But what about the cow herself? What do we actually know about her? And how do we really get to know her?
With waiting_for_cows, affect lab studies the cow up close. How does she live? How does she move? How do we humans relate to her? From April 18 through May 18 at VHDG, you will get a unique insight into the lives of three dairy cows on a Frisian farm.
Aergentina 4, Margo 104 and Robina 117 – each mixed breed cows – take you through their daily routines. Like most cows, they wear wearables that continuously collect biometric data and send it to the farmer. This data lets us know exactly what is going on with them.
With this workt, affect lab explores the technological relationship between humans and animals. In waiting_for_cows you follow three cows based on their data. The herd sets the rhythm of the story. Near real-time data, streamed directly from the cows’ wearables, determine the pace and content of the film. Thus, the story shifts from the big questions about technology and innovation to the barely visible rhythms of farm life. Presented as a cinematic meditation on our dealings with the “other,” waiting_for_cows invites you to reflect on questions of care, kinship and what we actually know – or think we know – about the animals around us.
affect lab affect lab is a creative studio led by Klasien van de Zandschulp and Dr. Natalie Dixon and. Together with an international network of artists, they work on projects that touch and prompt reflection. Using a mix of design research, immersive storytelling and experimental fieldwork, they explore how we can build a more inclusive future. Read more about them on the artist page.
Poster by Maarten Huizing
