A FRAGILE CORRESPONDENCE: AUDIO PIECE - ABRIACHAN FOREST

The exhibition A Fragile Correspondence is one of the eight collateral events for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia at the Arsenale Docks, S. Pietro di Castello, Venice. Commissioned by the Scotland + Venice partnership and curated by the Architecture Fringe, -ism, and /other, A Fragile Correspondence responds to Biennale curator Lesley Lokko’s theme of The Laboratory of the Future by exploring the nuances connections between land, language and the climate emergency.

In correspondence with the forest landscapes of Loch Ness, my exhibited audio piece tells the story of community-owned Abriachan Forest, an invitation to reflect upon the possibilities of collective land stewardship for ecological and social renewal.

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DESCRIPTION

In 1998, Abriachan community purchased 540 hectares of forest and open hill ground from Forest Enterprise. After 25 years of careful stewardship, the forest has been transformed into a diverse and regenerating woodland, home to a wide variety of species - woodland birds, red squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies. 

The painted birds symbolise what can be restored - both in terms of biodiversity and community - through acts of care, connection and taking agency in a place. 

Drawing on the idea of conviviality as a framework for understanding the richness of interaction and interdependence of all things that generate the meaningful worlds we inhabit and share, the piece invites reflection on what community ownership means to the people who are part of the forest’s ongoing story.



In providing context, the accompanying essay looks to both the Highland’s past and its futures in relation to land and landholding, trees and forests.

Transcription

With thanks to Jim Barr, Sam Hesling, Hilda Hesling, Christine Matheson and Roni Smith. Background music by Lauren MacColl – ‘Air Mullach Beinn Fhuathais’ and ‘Sproileag’ from the album Landskein, recorded in Abriachan Hall 2020.