SYLVIA is inspired by forest ecosystems and their dynamics of solidarity, illustrated by the subtle interconnection of the natural elements that make up the forest. Just as trees in these systems help each other to survive in a hostile environment, this project explores the possibility of linking European islands through their forests, by intertwining their mystical and technological knowledge.
By activating a biocultural network, we aspire to unite human and natural forces and empower the islands in the face of the environmental challenges they face. The central idea of the project rests on a dual principle: the principle of insularity, characteristic of islands confronted with urgent environmental challenges (climate change, rising sea levels, etc.), and the principle of solidarity, both as a biological process within forests and as a political principle uniting European states. Islands, threatened by their geographical isolation and ecological fragility, must come together to strengthen their resilience against contemporary crises.
Through the establishment of two parallel networks—mystical and mineral—the project creates a connection between two specific island forests: those of Corsica and Bornholm. These two forests, symbols of the ecological richness of European islands, will engage in dialogue through artistic and technological actions.