ASI seed money project 'Water and Soil in Our Suitcases'

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16 January 2025

Water and Soil in Our Suitcases, Exploring Drought and Flood Resilience Across Canadian Communities

Every year ASI awards seed money to promising interdisciplinary projects. "Water and Soil in Our Suitcases, Exploring Drought and Flood Resilience Across Canadian Communities" is one of four ASI Seed Money winners 2025.

"Water and Soil in Our Suitcases" expands on the Perfect Storm project by introducing the Traveling Suitcase Exhibition to Canadian and First Nations communities. This interdisciplinary art-science initiative addresses climate extremes, focusing on transitions from drought to flood. Starting in Vancouver and traveling through small communities and universities to Quebec, the project integrates lived experiences, artistic expressions, and scientific data to foster a discourse on climate impacts and adaptive practices in Arctic regions. The suitcase evolves with each stop, functioning as a living archive of community insights, combining interactive maps, dioramas, and audio recordings to translate scientific data into accessible visual narratives.

Grounded in a de-colonial approach, the project prioritises respectful collaboration with Indigenous and local communities, ensuring their knowledge and contributions guide the research and the development of resilience strategies. Workshops employ participatory methods, including mapping and storytelling, to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing. This bottom-up approach ensures the research remains culturally relevant and impactful, positioning communities as co-creators of knowledge. The project culminates with a final exhibition in Amsterdam, showcasing its journey and insights, while contributing to global discussions on climate resilience and adaptive practices.

Research Team

• Danai-Maria Kontou, Research associate, IVM (VU)
• Diana Lucero Ramirez Mejia, Research associate, IVM (VU)