ÒEverything arose from water. Water is the basic material, the raw material for every culture and the basis for every physical or spiritual development. The revelation of the water mystery would make clear that all the speculations leading to wars, hate, envy, violence and disputes are completely absurd. That would mean the end of all forms of hegemonies, and recognition of individualism in its most realistic form.

It is possible to produce energy and create countless variants of materials by natural oxygenation (cold combustion). It can stimulate future development from water and air only.

It is thus clear that man can become both the master and the servant of all living creatures. However, to apply this method is like balancing at a knife-edge, and one mistake could throw everything down the chasm. A man who understands creative conversion is like a God. A man who manipulates it for his own goals, is a servant of Evil and can destroy whole world.Ó
Viktor Schauberger

The project will take place along the Moravian rivers, and for this reason mostly Czech artists, scientists and experts should participate in it; however a significant participation of foreign artists and experts is also expected. Such people should participate in the project who seek new and more valuable ways of communication with the public, e.g. by means of the collaboration with Members of Parliament, on environmental concepts, civil facilities etc. -- those people who seek satisfaction from participation in social life and in such shaping of the historical environment, which is adequate to the contemporary level of information and to the demands of living in the future.

These people, the work of whom is called design in nature and of nature, or design in landscape and of landscape, are those who seek to put across a complete solution. That means such solutions which issue from a thorough knowledge and from an understanding of mutual relationships, and from the connections between the constituents and phenomena of existence, and from their optimum balanced part in the resulting design.

The extent and quality of the participation of foreign partners anticipates both the sources and the goals of the project: the European importance of the preservation of the Moravian water world and the importance of this problem for all mankind. International participation in the solving of this project is necessary in order to stress the problem and make it more visible, and also a mutual transfer of information and experience is significant for gaining the support we need.

The Concept of Art and Design in Nature / of Nature

The project Landscape Project for the Moravian Water World stresses aspects of the relationships between nature, art, and science, and thus aims to participate in the contemporary discussion over the problems of the environment, human existence and the basic aspects of life in general. From the artistic point of view this project is primarily oriented on artifacts created by connecting the soil, water, plants and organic forms of life, and also on such works which issue from the rotation of the Earth in the cosmos and from the movements of water.

Art and design in nature and of nature as a thematic plan, is defined by the intentions and goals of difference. It is necessary to mention Land Art, as the most significant here, as it designates and elucidates one of the aspects of American art in nature, and with the participation of nature, represented in many cases by comprehensive art works, and by inherent interventions in nature. Another possibility is Art in Nature, which is rather a description of an ecological variant of the above mentioned artistic tendency. The definition of Art in Nature was first formulated in the beginning of the 1990s. It aimed to gather contemporary art styles based on a perception and understanding of nature. It was obvious that Art in Nature would work as a representation of the directions and goals of the different art groups and generations of artists who have dealt both with creation in connection with nature and who included nature in the creative process since the beginning of the 1980s to the present time. The artists and scientists collaborated in the sphere which is today defined as design in nature/of nature and the design in landscape/of landscape, mostly in the sense of architectonic and social elements. As an example of contemporary European art in nature, and of including nature in art we can mention the sculptorsÕ project Nordland, located in the northern part of Norway. Another example is the landscape exhibition Trilogy which took place in Denmark in summer 1996.

Landscape is a public space which includes everything around us: relief of cities, of culture, of nature. This exists in fragments only, as everything is cultivated by man. Landscape is something which is very hard to describe in words. A relief, or a landscape of culture is a clear and concrete expression of our culture in general and its history. In this expression life finds its strongest reflection: the relief of culture means more than just a show of monuments of our development, and the success we reached. In Europe, nature exists only in fragments; however, these natural and semi-natural elements of nature play an important role in the protection of the basic aspects of life and of our existence. Further reduction would mean an essential loss.

The biggest share of pure natural places in continental Europe is situated along the springs of the Labe, Nisa, Odra, Morava, Dyje and Vltava rivers, the majority of which are placed in Central Europe, in the Czech Republic. We can find then a unique part by the Morava river, in the region of central Moravia, the relief of which is formed by water to a significant extent, and thus documents the history of water, life and settlement which includes: the sea, icebergs, underground oceans, migrating and meandering river arms, submersible streams which create limestone caves and many other unique documents of water circulation and its influence upon the forming of Earth and culture.

One of the impulses for the realization of the project Water and Life and for its location, was the geographical surroundings of these rivers, which are the source of water for Central Europe. The Moravian and Czech underground waters, springs and then rivers influence life in many other countries: Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, and perhaps also Italy. From this point of view these water reserves, the river springs and water of the above mentioned rivers, gain an international importance and value. The seeking of a different perception of nature and art is not a new thing. It has shaped the whole history of culture. A basic aspect of cultural development is the presentation of the dialogue between external nature and of that which is inside us from nature, the dialogue between the animal aspect of mankind and other creatures on a high level of development. This way art and science collaborate in an architectonic lay-out of nature.

The masks of tribal cultures can be considered one of the most original examples of the dialogue between mankind and nature. The use of natural materials, which were step by step perfected, is an expression of the agreement between the external nature and the nature inside us.

Natural elements of the culture of masks have almost disappeared in consequence of material civilization: these elements are now missing in the everyday life of cities, the same as in the projects directed outside the cities, to the most far-away and most intimate places of universal space, and to the natural elements of the reliefs of our culture. This fact is considered a key initial impulse of the landscape project Water and Life.

The Moravian Water World, the Project Water and Life, and New Culture of Existence

The Moravian water world has a unique jewel -- the well preserved structure of natural water streams, the canals and dead river branches and the flood areas of the lowlands along the central part of the Morava river -- the preserves of the European importance situated in Litovel Pomorav’, and also the unique hilly area, which is linked to it, with the network of cave systems, under which thousand year old water is hidden and where new water springs.

This integral and heterogeneous area is very important as a large-scale element of ecological stability, thanks to which it is still possible to compensate for the negative impact of our civilization, and to neutralize the impact of the concentration of population and industry.

There are also outstanding traces which document the development of the Earth since ancient times to today, and extraordinary traces and artifacts documenting the history of mankind and culture since the Cro-Magnon time to today.

This area, though, mainly creates an important reservoir of new water, the significance and value of which for mankind and life in general increases with the ongoing industrial development and devastation of civilization. This water world, situated in the area of the ancient seas, around the central part of the Morava river, with its waters which come into existence in an extraordinary hilly area, and then go on to the lowlands where they create the sand silts, is a clear appeal and even a demonstrative model for considerations of the further orientation of human existence. It is possible to design and justify a strategy for the future approach to water by the example of this river, its history and the history of its population, and by the example of the impact of its waters on life in the European areas through which they flow, and the areas by the Danube river around the Black Sea, into which they empty. There are other rivers of European importance: Odra, Dyje, Labe, Vltava, and other Moravian and Czech rivers and their basin. It is generally known that three rivers flow through the Czech Republic which flow through many European countries into three seas: the Black Sea, the Baltic and the Northern Sea. Other rivers which also originate in other European countries run through a considerable part of Europe. And only water brings life.

It has been generally agreed by many international projects that a river has to be protected from the spring with all its tributary streams. This situation, however, cannot be solved by some protective steps only; people have to live close to the sources of drinkable water, and they have a right to live in a certain level of comfort. If they will achieve comfort by means that are common in the world today, however, Europe will be flooded by dead rivers very soon.

The above mentioned pearl of the Moravian water world became peripheral because of the poor possibilities for civil facilities and a comfortable life in this area. If there will be no new methods for satisfying human needs applied in this area, this unique and important water world will be lost, with all the consequences upon the surrounding and following areas, and upon life as it is. It is expedient to start to seek and to apply models of adequate human existence in a landscape dominated by water in this extraordinary and model area. For this reason this very place was selected as astarting moment for the whole project Water and Life.

Water and Life and Regional Interests

Since 1991 the mapping of the region of central Moravia has been taking place, initiated by towns and communities, regional offices and the ministries of the Czech Republic. Expert statements which study the dispositions and project the possible ways of development of this region have been worked out by a team of experts with Dr. V’t Dvorskù in the lead, who works in the Regional Development Agency for Central Moravia in Olomouc. Jaroslav Kabilka personally participated in these activities, which were at the same time supported by the fund MITE, set up by him.

His work mainly consisted in the effort to eliminate the menace which can be implanted to such activities by the prevailing partial approach, by an effort to apply a holistic approach. He struggled mainly to map the interactions, the mutual links and dependencies of all aspects of life and their proportionate application in the model of the solution.

Many important steps to create the dispositions for the realization of the projected models of solution have been taken. For example it has attracted the attention of MPs, which should help this area and similar areas in general to incorporate adequate forms of life. On the basis of long-term contacts of the Parliamentary committee with MITE their common conference concerning this problem was prepared. It took place in the area where we plan to start the project Water and Life.

It would be very useful to establish a clear and emphatic protection and also a method of state support in these regions, which would secure water reservoirs and other priority needs for life. It is necessary to solve these problems within the basic strategy of the existence of the state, and the organization of the life of its inhabitants, beginning with the Constitution, and to project these rules in all laws and legislative precepts.

The establishment of the Regional Development Agency for Central MoraviaÕ should provide significant support and a further step for the solution of the problems in this region. Its role should be similar to the roles of such agencies in the countries of the EU; its activities are based upon EU methods. Such an agency, as a concept institution, mediating media, and coordinator of the development should play a leading role in the preparation and realization of projects in the region.

For this reason the RDA agency was proposed and affirmed by the participants in the first part of the project, as the main organizer of the project Water and Life. By now, however, we have realized that RDA is not able to perform this role, and thus secure the interests of the subjects of the region in which the project Water and Life will take place.

This project, which is based on artistic and scientific invention and on international interest, should attract tourists, apply new technologies, etc. It should help in solving the complicated problems of this region which are, in many cases, beyond the abilities of the inhabitants of the region and the local institutions.

The realization of the landscape project Water and Life is thus a considerable complement to the proposed regional models, and the project should contribute to an awareness by the inhabitants of the environment and to the priority needs of their lives. There will be a model solution created on the international level, which could help secure the protection of the natural balance with regard to human needs and demands.

Project Water and Life: Solving Regional Problems and a Universal Impact In collaboration with the regional and state groups, new space and material concepts which could find concrete and adequate models of existence will be designed and solved with the help of new technologies, new conditions and social relationships.

Such landscape models will come into existence which will bear constructive thoughts and concrete steps of a radical new concept, a harmonic function of man in the landscape. These models will help the biological protective systems which maintain ecological stability, and they will help preserve the sources of basic life needs, such as water or air, and at the same time they will help in finding adequate means of satisfying human needs and the development of the region. Special sculptures and artifacts, projected and created by artists for concrete sites, will serve as a further attraction and inspiration in these places. After a certain time we can expect a new wave of domestic and foreign visitors to this region.

It will secure the development and income from services and programs linked with the tourist industry. These services cannot be provided sufficiently, which create a limit for the number of visitors to this region, job opportunities, and also for the possibility of keeping this area populated, and providing it with the necessary care.

The results of the project Water and Life could serve as an example not only for the above mentioned regions, but also for planning of landscape and spaces by other postindustrial designers all round the Czech Republic, and also on an international scale.

The theme of water and life itself, the importance of water for life and its spiritual sense, should stimulate participating artists and visitors to think about the meaning of our existence and, perhaps, to make them change their relationship to water and other basic aspects of existence.

Information about the Management and Associates of the Project Water and Life

The basic rights and responsibilities of the project fall upon its creators. The creators are represented by Thomas BŸsch and Jaroslav Kabilka, and they are rightful to act separately. During the final part of the project and its completion the rights and responsibilities will be transferred to the associates by a legal agreement.

The carrying out of the project will take place with Thomas BŸsch in the lead (curator and artist, Berlin) and Jaroslav Kabilka (advisor, holistic designer, director of the MITE fund, Olomouc) in collaboration with KateÞina Pavl’‹kov‡ (Soros Center for Contemporary Arts, Prague), Anton’n Mareä (artist, translator, Munich) and Nicola Astae (artist, curator, Venice).

The board of the project Water and Life: participation has been discussed with many important people, not only from the sphere of art, and a majority of them have already promised to come: Jan Hoet, the director of the Muzeum van Hedendaagse Kunst, Ghent, Belgium, Denys Zacharopoulos, director of the Domaine de Kerguekennec, LocminŽ, France; Alessandra Page, curator, Milan, Italy; Jeanne Greenberg, Art Advisory, New York, USA; Katharina Koskina, curator, Athens, Greece, Vžra Jirousov‡, art critic, Prague, Czech Republic, Alanna Heiss, the director of the Institute for Contemporary Art, New York, USA; and Gerardo Mosquera, Havana, Cuba.

The original partners from the Czech Republic were the RDA fund from Olomouc and the Votobia Publishing House, Olomouc. The original agreement with the RDA about the general partnership for the organization of the project has not been realized. The Votobia Publishing House, which is the general partner for publishing the documents concerning the project, has participated significantly in the publishing of the catalogue for the project, and also in the first public presentation of the Water and Life project, which they made possible during the book fair, LIBRI 96.

Several firms were interested in sponsoring this project, the concrete conditions of their participation are being negotiated. The role of the general sponsor of the project has not been set. It would be suitable if it could be represented by a large firm from the region in which the project begins. Some other partners in the region: Local Office Olomouc; the Department of Environment of Regional Development and Area Planning; the City Offices of Litovel, Konice, Boskovice, Olomouc, Cholina, B’l‡ Lhota, Mlade‹, Bouzov, átžp‡nov, StÞeË, Horka nad Moravou. Also, the Arboretum B’l‡ Lhota; VlastivždnŽ museum, Olomouc; the Board of the CHKO Litovel Pomorav’, Olomouc; Agency for the Protection of Nature and Landscape of the Czech Republic, Olomouc; Povod’ Moravy, a.s., Horn’ Morava, Olomouc, Czech Speleologic Association, ZO Mlade‹ and BÞezov‡, the AteliŽr Sloup basic school, UNIART - Pluh‡‹ek, Brno, the Center for Community Work of the Program Phare, Olomouc department.

The partners from abroad: Senatsverwaltung fŸr Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur, Berlin, Stiftung Starke, Berlin, NETural plaNET, Berlin Global Arts, Kassel, Jeanne Greenberg Art Advisory, New York.

This project has been organized with the help of the fund MITE (Moravian Institute for Transpersonal Ecology), located in Olomouc.

Alexander Oulton from MITE has already discussed the participation of some experts and scientists from Great Britain. Among the people interested were: Yvan Rioux (electromagnetic effects, research of whirls, Stroud), Simon Charter (designer of flowforms, Antroposophist, Stroud), a long-term partner of MITE in the project Living Water, Mark Moodie (root cleaners, the director of the Camphill Water, Camphill Community, Oaklands Park), Andy Jones (designer of flowforms, Ruskin Mill), Aangus Gordon (director of the Ruskin Mill, Nailsworth). Alec Oulton also mediated the beginning of the first phases of the collaboration with the international holistic association Scientific Medical Network, with the members of its section WATER, and also with the Club of Budapest.

Among MITEÕs long-term goals of the support of the project Water and Life is to initiate the founding of an international database of experts in all aspects concerning water. It could be situated in Olomouc, or anywhere else from where it will be possible to support the development of this project Water and Life, and similar projects, and not only in the Czech Republic. To achieve this goal we could start by the establishment of an interest group, in which the members of the Scientific Medical Network could participate.

Basic Time Schedule of the Project

The project is scheduled for five years, it should be carried out during 1997 to 2001. The period between February 1996 to the summer 1998 is dedicated to preparatory works, including the actions necessary for a discussion, make the plan and finally the decision.

The project will begin in the region of Litovel Pomorav’, the Z‡bÞeh Bouzov hills and Drahan hills, mainly in the karst region along the ápranžk and JavoÞ’‹ko rivers, in the Litovel and the surrounding microregion, and also in the region of the Moravian karst.

After that it could spread to the areas of this region which havenÕt been contacted so far, and also to the northern and southern part of the Morava river and to its tributary streams, up to the springs of the river, around the Be‹va river to the karst region by the Hranice, and to the quarter of the Morava river by Tova‹ov, etc.

The project can go on in PoodÞ’, Podyj’ to P‡lava and then to the Czech rivers. The project Water and Life could bring necessary stimuli also to other places, and its contribution could be applied globally.

Some of the Completed Steps and Preparatory Activities of the Project:

• Lectures, interviews, talk shows, fairs, conference communication on the Internet.
• Special congresses and conferences on the various aspects of the theme of water and life, with the participation of artists, scientists, experts in water, speleologists, experts in tourism, etc.
• Performances, exhibitions, symposia, workshops, presentations.
• Articles, catalogues, portfolios, thematic and other publications, expert essays.
• Suggestions, concepts, studies, projects.
• Artifacts, applied and functional constituents, space solutions, landscape projects, elements of facilities and area planning.

The first suggestions by the representatives of the regional and state offices, and the suggestions of the authors after a visit to the region (* - the suggestion has to be verified with the people concerned):

Litovel

1. - The area in front of the Town Hall, to make visible water and water streams of the city (Han‡ Venice).
2. - the area by the hunting-lodge opposite to the new cleaner, by the Morava river (the port facilities, cycling road).
3. - The area by the old bridge across the Morava river, including the deserted site by the road outside the city and the empty building.
4. - The area on both banks of the Morava river by the sluice, the project for a recreational area including hotel, bathing facilities, etc.
5. - Artificial lake by Nov‡ Ves (reclamation of the quarry and the adjoining area).
6. - The area by the secondary school and the city ponds.

1. - The former clay pit opposite the cemetery, now a dump, interesting plants, small pond, possibilities of water adjustment.
2. - The area by the hunting - lodge with the derelict quarry and small, polluted lake.

1. - The recreational area by the place where rivers fork, back in the forest (above the sluice) romantic building in the English park between NovŽ Z‡mky and TÞes’n (Templ - The Church of Friendship).
2. - Pond for ducks and fish situated below B’l‡ Lhota.
3. - Three trees and the stump in the Arboretum.
4. - Pond in the Arboretum.

1. - The area of the karst hill TÞes’n (springs of water, NovŽ Z‡mky, romantic buildings in the English park, caves open for public and film staffs).
2. - English park from the castle to TÞes’n hill with romantic decorative buildings.
3. - The island below the Temple (neighboring with the area of B’l‡ Lhota - see 1).
4. - The fallow deer park (the area around the pond).

1. - Ochoz, the natural mineral spring and the whole valley of the Rakovskù stream to the Krakovec.*
2. - Two lakes by the Konice on the Komìe river by the Ohrada mill.

1. - Two new lakes should be created outside the village, to be completed in 1998
2. - area with benches, amphitheater and a playground in the village.*

1. - Former clay pits of the Lamer workshop in Litovel by the Novù Dvór, polluted and overgrown lake with flowing water which should be cleaned in the next two years.*

1. - The cycling road through the forest between Litovel and òsov, across the preserve (part of the international cycling road Vienna - Warsaw).*

1. - New caves besides the ones which are open for public at present; the opening of a second level, (?).*

1. - Planned renovation of the series of five ponds of different sizes between JavoÞ’‹ko and Bouzov.

1. - Castle with green house /Orangerie/, arboretum (on the UNESCO list) with two lakes.*

1. - Area of the dam, the dam itself and the place behind the overflow in the valley.*
2. - Derelict quarry in the valley in the direction to the Bžl‡.*
3. - Caves (inaccessible for tourists).*

1. - Limestone mine.*
2. - Official caves (for concerts, therapeutic visits for children with allergies, playgrounds, etc.).*

1. - Castle with park.*
2. - Green house /Orangerie/ (exhibitions).*
3. - Castle.*
4. - Open-air cinema.*

1. - Complete solution of the projected Center of Ecological Protection ÒSluˇkovÓ.

1. - Contact points of the cycling roads with the Morava river and other waters, the less interesting places on the road.

Thomas BŸsch
Artist and Curator, Berlin
Jaroslav Kabilka Director of the foundation MITE
translated by Tamara Voseck‡