Open Hertzlab: Plurality of Water

„Plurality of Water“ unfolds as a cross-cultural dialogue across wetlands, rivers, and cityscapes – between Kolkata, Berlin, and Karlsruhe. The project reflects on how wetlands and waterways, once central to collective life, have been estranged from public memory and denaturalized from urban environments through modern engineering. By weaving together archival research, speculative narratives, and artistic practices, the project reimagines water as a site of resilience and symbiosis with cityscapes.

As part of the curatorial research residency at ZKM’s Hertzlab, guest curator Avik Debdas brings into conversation the “Kidneys of Kolkata” (East Kolkata Wetlands) with “Intestines of Berlin” (Pink Pipeline Network) and Karlsruhe’s engineered river landscapes.

Through a constellation of various artistic practices and research materials, “Plurality of Water” becomes a living archive – inviting audiences to reflect on forgotten or overlooked ecological practices, relational aesthetics between city and water, serving wetland foods, drinks, and the collectively reimagine the possibilities of plural, interconnected futures.

You are cordially invited. Just come along!

Meeting point: 2nd floor above Atrium 9 – access via the exhibitions (Fellow Travellers)