Art-science experiments or other multidisciplinary collaborations have never been a simple process, which is also a result of disciplinary boundaries problematically manifested across education, and even in fairly inefficient innovation ecosystems. The aim of this collaborative project is to give attention to real differences of thinking and approach in art (new media, animation, music) and science (cultural history, critical theory, philosophy), and eventually manifest this in (collectively) experienced physical situations. We try to remain sensitive for the contrasting yet complementary positions that art and science are taking in our collaborative work. The goal is to integrate both quite radically, surpassing the usual dominance of science, for which art is useful (only) when it illustrates already established scientific theories, or simply represents beauty, reduced to a tool for illustration of scientific findings.

Post-growth, degrowth and other relevant concepts that may provide viable alternatives for our progress-driven society, are not experiential (enough). Even more, these concepts are currently discussed predominantly in the context of the economy and sustainable production, and not in the field of arts and humanities, which would be crucial for discussing the post-growth-based values, their contents and contexts to be promoted and experienced in our everyday life. Blending artistic and scientific approaches can provide a complexity that is needed to tackle the paradox – this is to be understood as the key departure point of the present collaboration.

Historic perspectives on forest management reaching two centuries back show how extracting natural resources – be it for direct energy, construction or food – and excessive use of the forest were in the past linked to a variety of interdependent factors, which differed in space and time.

Combining artistic and scientific methods this project provides interpretations of maps and archival correspondence in a wider historical context of 19th-century Komen community (Slovenia), which was part of the process of afforestation of the Karst that took place in the territory today belonging to Slovenia and Italy. Reflecting on the transformation of this land through history we shift the focus to this forest today, creating auditory and visual experience of the forest by including current maps and photographs, illustrations of local birds and their sound.