In this short film, I follow artist Maud van den Beuken to the source of the Mississippi River in Bemidji, Minnesota (USA).

 

Film & Edit: Pia van den Beuken

Artist: Maud van den Beuken

Electrical engineer and Survey Workshop Manager: Wim Balvert

Sonar Technology: VanOord

Location: Bemidji, Minnesota (USA)

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Together we explore the relationship between humans and nature by critically questioning the idea and construct of “a river.”

For this project, we focus on the Mississippi and its origin in Bemidji. In collaboration with Van Oord,

we scanned the riverbed using sonar technology, with the aim of eventually transforming this data into a physical sculpture. 

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Back in the Netherlands, we spoke with various policymakers, artists, environmental activists, residents, water management experts, and dredgers to explore the river as a non-human life form and its potential for its own legal personality.

We questioned our relationship with the river on both a local and global scale.

Who bears responsibility?