“I record them in their environment then take these recordings to another environment… I make stories. … I don’t include myself, I want the listener to have freedom to think about their own association. I don’t want to tell that this is that and this is that.” – Jana Winderen
I love Jana Winderen! She records sound environments and creatures unknown to most of us. She believes in connecting with microscopic organisms as a way to spread awareness of macroscopic climate disasters and species exctinction. Her work is humble and minimal like the costume of an eco-activist and carries a clear message about the affect of human civilisation on other lifeworlds.
Pragmatism. Endings. Products? Winderen is an art warrior: she wants to make an impact with her work because she believes there is something wrong that is possible to change. In this sense the work can be considered as activist work, in the way that the practice does not only affect the artist but also attempts to change systems of power (resource extraction.) Her approach is pragmatic and due to her wanting material change it is action based. She finds pride in her history as a poor art student who saved their little cash to buy equipment. Ego as a tool for success! Her dedication can be seen in how clearly she draws these fish that she spends hours listening to.
I believe in this action-based approach the philosophy must be limited. Is philosophy a fear of life? Winderen loves Life and she wants to protect those living beings. So at a certain point with her work, she stops reflecting and pondering and starts moving forward, towards a material result (sound object, installation, concept, essay). Must we do the same? Some artists criticize those who are ignorant of something because they didn’t have enough time to think about it. Others criticize those who think too much.
Thinking is a solo project and even the theorists have to write to export the ideas from their inner world.
This is a dichotomy that I am curious about, between thinking and action. However limiting those two categories are they point to a dilemma that has divided people at crucial moments in history. Must we think, must we act, or must we do anything?
Thankfully Winderen is acting, and makes beautiful work that I enjoy listening to.
Her message to us students was to find a way that we would like to work and create that space for ourselves, not to wait for anyone to invite us in. It’s a clear fruitful message we must remember when we have dreams.