F/EEL

By Sheng-Wen Lo and Yi-Fei Chen

Commissioned by the Embassy of the North Sea, part of the manifestation Welcome to the Parliament of Things, 19 - 27 November

Interactive spatial installation at the Shooting range, Marineterrein Amsterdam/ Living Art Lab

Find the Location:

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Dates and hours:

20, 21 & 22 November, 13.00 —  17.00

26, 27, 28 & 29 November, 13.00 —  17.00

3, 4, 5 & 6 December, 13.00 — 17.00

*** For canceling your appointment ***

If you already booked it but you would like to cancel it, please call 0687-770-196 in advance, thank you.

Please read carefully the safety rules and regulations bellow before registration!

One evening in the North Sea, a baby eel was approaching the Dutch coastline. The trip had been long: from the Sargasso Sea it drifted 6,000 km on the Gulf Stream eastwards across the Atlantic Ocean. Moving upstream, it was eager to continue its life in the fresh waters, but little did it know the arduous obstacles ahead — a world not designed for eels. A world full of artificial hindrances: barriers such as dams and pumping stations, contaminated water bodies, invasive parasites and illegal poaching. And hence the journey began.

Intrigued by the strenuous, yet perplexing lives of European eels - a critically endangered species that can live up to 80 years - artists Sheng-Wen Lo and Yi-Fei Chen created a space not designed for humans — a series of interactive contraptions that transpose these eels’ unfortunate encounters into human terms. Our lives may be difficult, but what is it like to be an eel?

In the interactive spatial installation F/EEL at the Shooting range at the Marineterrein Amsterdam, the public can individually and physically experience the life challenges of an eel. Although one would never succeed in fully reconfiguring the eels’ subjective experiences into that of humans’, attempting with best effort, unlike not trying at all, opens up possibilities for us to imagine, question and discuss.

Thanks to: Amarte Fonds; Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst; Bankgiro Loterij Fonds; Gemeente Amsterdam; Marineterrein Amsterdam; Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds and Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie

Dutch

F/EEL

Sheng-Wen Lo en Yi-Fei Chen

In opdracht van de Ambassade van de Noordzee, onderdeel van de manifestatie Welkom in het Parlement van de Dingen, 19 - 27 november

Interactieve ruimtelijke installatie in de Schietbaan, Marineterrein Amsterdam/ Living Art Lab

Lees graag eerst goed de veiligheidsvoorschriften en voorwaarden alvorens te registeren!

Op een avond naderde een glasaal de Nederlandse Noordzeekust. De reis was lang geweest: vanaf de Sargassozee had het dier 6.000 km oostwaarts gezwommen, op de Golfstroom over de Atlantische Oceaan. Stroomopwaarts bewegend was de glasaal vastberaden haar leven in het zoete water voort te zetten. Maar zij wist nog niets van de zware beproevingen die haar te wachten stonden. Ze zou terecht komen in een wereld die niet ontworpen is voor een paling. Een wereld vol kunstmatige obstakels: barrières zoals dammen en pompstations, vervuilde waterlichamen, invasieve parasieten en illegale stroperij. En zo begon de reis.

Geïntrigeerd door het uitputtende en verwarrende leven van de Europese paling - een ernstig bedreigde diersoort die wel 80 jaar oud kan worden - creëerden kunstenaars Sheng-Wen Lo en Yi-Fei Chen een ruimte die niet ontworpen is voor mensen. F/EEL bestaat uit een reeks interactieve constructies die de onfortuinlijke ontmoetingen van de paling omzetten naar menselijke maten. Ons leven mag misschien moeilijk zijn, maar hoe is het om een paling te zijn?

In de interactieve installatie F/EEL, in de Schietbaan op het Marineterrein Amsterdam, kan het publiek individueel en fysiek het uitdagende leven van de paling ervaren. Hoewel het nooit helemaal zal lukken om de subjectieve ervaringen van de paling volledig te vertalen naar menselijk perspectief zullen onze inspanningen - in tegenstelling tot helemaal niets proberen - ons in staat stellen om te verbeelden, te twijfelen en te bevragen.

Met dank aan: Amarte Fonds; Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst; Bankgiro Loterij Fonds; Gemeente Amsterdam; Marineterrein Amsterdam; Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds en Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie

Safety rules and regulations

— Suitable for 12+ years old with average-good fitness level

— Not recommended for persons with claustrophobia, nyctophobia (fear of the dark). Persons should be aware of their health conditions and enter at their own choice and risk.

— No COVID-19 symptoms

— Sign an agreement at arrival at the Shooting range

— The space is fun but could be challenging, or at some point not possible to pass through. We hope everyone enjoys it.

— Participants should arrive 15 minutes before the slot starts; otherwise we reserve the right to cancel or change his/her slot.

— 30 minutes per slot: 20 minutes to experience, 10 minutes to prepare/dress up/sanitise/‘rescue’

Dress code and regulations:

— Shoes should be good for running or walking. Do NOT wear shoes with spikes or metal on the sole. No slippers or high heels.

— All accessories such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces should be taken off for safety.

— Long hair should be tied up for safety.

— Wear comfortable and durable pants and clothes. Expect rough surfaces and they may get dirty.

— Phones, flashlights (or anything that emits lights), knives, lighters and all tools are not allowed. They will be temporarily kept by moderators. Valuables should be taken care of by the participant.

Wearable Safety Equipments:

— Provided for the participants: Gloves (bicycle gloves with anti-slip grip, various sizes), safety goggles (Dewalt DPG82-11C, 3X), Knee protectors (Thunderbolt® Professional Knee Pads, 2X. All gear will be sanitised.

Health Regulations:

— Participants should respect COVID-19 measures or the slot may be canceled

— Participants should arrive 15 minutes before the slot begins, or it may be canceled.

— Participants should wear masks at all times. No face shields.

— Body temperature will be taken upon arrival. Participants with fever (>37.5C) are not allowed to enter.

— Participant’s hands will be sanitised before entry (before putting on gloves), and after exit.

— Name and email of the participant will be recorded upon register. The information may not be used in any other venue or purpose.

— Upon being tested positive for COVID-19 in the future, participants should follow the instructions of the GGD carefully and cooperate in contacting Marineterrein Amsterdam if required.

— Moderators will sanitise the space before each shift starts. Though it is not likely to wipe all surfaces, commonly touched areas such as handles and door knobs should be wiped.