Index

Restoring to Zero

Category #1 non-native, alien species targeted for control in Banff National Park, 6 Lambda C-Prints, 40 x 60 cm, 2012

The Banff National Park in Canada promotes primeval wilderness, but treats the land as a scientific laboratory at large. The park’s »Restoring to Zero« program is one example: it attempts to bring the ecosystem back to its pre-colonial state by means of today"s technology. Among other strategies, “weed pulling programs for non-native, alien species” are carried out in order to control invasive species.

The photo series »Restoring to Zero« shows the coordinator of the plant control unit holding a painted galaxy backdrop in front of his priority one targets: Scentless chamomile, Spotted knapweed, Tansy, Nodding thistle, Tall buttercup. Thanks to the horizon-forming arrangement of the photos, an artificial landscape unfolds. Like a science-fiction film, the out-of-space composition inquires into its point of origin.

Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero
Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero
Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero
Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero
Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero
Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero
Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero
PLAIN AIR, Tiroler Künstlerschaft, 2014, photo: WEST. Fotostudio
Katrin Hornek Restoring to Zero

The Banff National Park in Canada promotes primeval wilderness, but treats the land as a scientific laboratory at large. The park’s »Restoring to Zero« program is one example: it attempts to bring the ecosystem back to its pre-colonial state by means of today"s technology. Among other strategies, “weed pulling programs for non-native, alien species” are carried out in order to control invasive species.

The photo series »Restoring to Zero« shows the coordinator of the plant control unit holding a painted galaxy backdrop in front of his priority one targets: Scentless chamomile, Spotted knapweed, Tansy, Nodding thistle, Tall buttercup. Thanks to the horizon-forming arrangement of the photos, an artificial landscape unfolds. Like a science-fiction film, the out-of-space composition inquires into its point of origin.