Bird Cage, 2015 Bird Cage is a visual and conceptual installation by Shahram Entekhabi of Parasite Architecture, featuring a complementary sound installation by Amy Green. It was exhibited at Park am Gleisdreieck in Berlin as part of the Environmental Art Festival during Global Soil Week, from April 19th to 23rd, 2015.
The installation occupies a closed space measuring 20 x 25 meters. It incorporates materials such as 100 meters of wire, 60 meters of wood, and 5000 meters of caution tape. The combination of these elements creates a visually striking and unconventional structure that challenges traditional notions of form and function.
Bird Cage Bird Cage: Exploring Urban Nature and Biodiversity through Sound Installation and Caution Tape
The Parasite Architecture Installation in Park at Gleisdreieck, Berlin, during the environmental art festival in the frame of The Global Soil Week, aimed to explore various themes related to urban nature, ecological transitions, and the significance of soil for biodiversity and nature conservation. The installation, titled "Bird Cage," was a collaboration between Shahram Entekhabi (Parasite Architecture) and Amy Green (Sound Installation). It incorporated elements such as a bird cage, bird calls, field recordings, and caution tape to create an immersive experience for the viewers. Bird Cage served as an auditory representation of ecological succession in both time and space. It drew inspiration from a study on the urban-rural gradient of bird species in Berlin, highlighting the impact of urban encroachment on bird populations. The installation emphasized the decline of bird species as one moves from city centers towards the outskirts, where intensive agriculture and simplification of landscapes have displaced birds from agricultural areas. As a result, urban parks have become crucial pockets of high biodiversity.
In the context of the International Year of Soils in 2015, Bird Cage raised awareness about the vulnerability of bird species in Germany. It highlighted the alarming fact that one in eight species of birds were at risk of extinction, with a projected quarter of bird species facing extinction by 2100. By addressing the issue of soil conservation, the installation aimed to underscore the interconnectedness between soil health, biodiversity, and the survival of avian populations.
The structure of the installation deliberately embodied characteristics of informality, temporariness, imperfection, and formlessness. This choice reflected the adaptability and agility of informal systems, which can respond more swiftly to change and allow for greater flexibility. The transient nature of the installation symbolized concepts such as migration and cultural diversity.
By enclosing a vulnerable patch of nature within a wall of caution tape, the installation prompted contemplation on safety zones, exclusivity, and inclusivity. It encouraged viewers to reflect on the significance of protecting and nurturing nature in public spaces. The musical composition within the installation combined bird calls with sounds commonly associated with urban environments, such as car alarms, mobile telephones, subway trains, and doves. The piece started with an aria featuring endemic species of the Berlin area that are no longer found there, amplifying the loss of biodiversity due to urbanization.
Overall, the Parasite Architecture Installation, Bird Cage, served as a thought-provoking and multisensory experience that aimed to raise awareness about the impact of urbanization on bird species, the importance of soil conservation, and the need to prioritize biodiversity in urban planning and public spaces.
