tue greenfort
 
Diffuse Einträge - 2007

modified manure spreading machine, 100 liter tank filled with iron(III)-chloride, water fountain
Container - 17.600 Liter
Container dimension - diameter 2 meter, length 5, 25 meter

Exhibition view: Skulptur Projekte, Münster, 2007.

Photo: Roman Mensing artdoc.de

Tue Greenfort's project for "sculptur projekte münster 07", Diffuse Einträge, singles out the water quality of the lake Aasee in Münster as a central theme. The Aasee in Münster and its surrounding park landscape plays an important role for the urban structure of the city, and its identity as a green and pleasant organised space. At the same time swimming in the lake is forbidden, because a high population of blue-green algae grow in the lake, which produce a poisonous substance in the water. Due to a highly intensified and industrialized agricultural production around the city of Münster, especially in subventionnized meat production, a high concentration of phosphates ends up in the river. This provides ideal growth conditions for the blue-green algea. In Münster, a scientific project has been established to examine the pollution of the lake so that the recreational use and aesthetic enjoyment of the lake can be maintained. The scientists found a method to reduce the flowering of the algae by adding a substance called Iron (III) - Chloride into the water. The substance bounds the phosphates chemically through the process of neutralisation. The "solution" thus, is a purely cosmetic one. It only prevents the eutrophication as long as Iron (III) - Chloride is added to the river.