The Making of Interspecies Assembly

A look into the development and creation of the Interspecies Assembly sculptures by SUPERFLEX in close collaboration with KYW.studio

By ART 2030

SUPERFLEX & ART 2030

Prototypes for Interspecies Assembly, SUPERFLEX. Configuration and Development. (2021) by SUPERFLEXART 2030

Creating a Physical Gathering Site To Mark A Pivotal Moment

The physical gathering site Interspecies Assembly reflects the aspiration of a pivotal moment where the entire planet is faced with the urgent need for collaboration

“Our agreements and demonstrations are proving insufficient; the water is coming. Eels are vanishing, corals reefs are under severe heat stress, sheep laurel bloom earlier and mackerel and flamingos are moving north. All species are suffering from human-made climate change, but their needs and wishes are still to be accounted for.” – SUPERFLEX

"The sculptures are fundamental to our lives, but also to other lives" Jakob Fenger, SUPERFLEX (2021) by ART 2030ART 2030

An Artwork That Meets The Demand Of Other Species

SUPERFLEX's Jakob Fenger describes the artistic research and interest in hard surfaces as a material for many forms of life

Making Interspecies Assembly: SUPERFLEX's Jakob visiting the Stone Quarrey in Portgual (2021) by SUPERFLEXART 2030

A Response to Rising Sea Levels

In response to a possible future underwater, SUPERFLEX have chosen the pink stone material to incorporate the textures, colors, and forms that will best support a thriving and biodiverse aquatic life in a possible underwater future

Preparations with a Timeless Material

Sculpted into Lioz Coral, a material formed over millions of years, Interspecies Assembly will also outlive many human generations

Making Interspecies Assembly: Lioz Coral Material, SUPERFLEX, 2021, From the collection of: ART 2030
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Making Interspecies Assembly: Shaping and Drilling into the Lioz Coral, SUPERFLEX, 2021, From the collection of: ART 2030
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Making Interspecies Assembly: Cutting into Lioz Coral Limestone, SUPERFLEX, 2021, From the collection of: ART 2030
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Making Interspecies Assembly: Sanding down the grooves of the sculpture, SUPERFLEX, 2021, From the collection of: ART 2030
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Making Interspecies Assembly: Sculpture Piece Assembled, SUPERFLEX, 2021, From the collection of: ART 2030
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Making Interspecies Assembly: Inspecting a Sculpture Piece, SUPERFLEX, 2021, From the collection of: ART 2030
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The Making of Interspecies Assembly

Interspecies Assembly in Central Park will feature seven sculptures of different sizes, formed with various holes and shapes, to sustain an array of life forms underwater.

Prototypes for Interspecies Assembly, SUPERFLEX. Seen from Above. (2021) by SUPERFLEXART 2030

Creating Spaces for Interspecies Interaction

The site will be marked by a series of pink marble sculptures arranged in a broken circle: signalling a space where all species can enter and exit from all directions

Interspecies Assembly, SUPERFLEX. Detail: "Purpose" engraved the sculpture. (2021) by SUPERFLEXART 2030

Sculptures Set with a Purpose

Interspecies Assembly also features specific purpose and call-to-action for its human participants: it calls for a time and space in which humans are asked to sign the 'Interspecies Contract'

Interspecies Assembly, SUPERFLEX. Detail of sculpture. (2021) by SUPERFLEXART 2030

The Interspecies Contract

Carved across the sculptures, the 'Interspecies Contract' requires that human participants 'idle' and pause for five minutes

A Conversation between SUPERFLEX and Professor Carsten Rahbek on the Interspecies Assembly (2021) by ART 2030ART 2030

Because "Time Is Of The Essence"

The call for humans to give time is suggested as a means of conversing and listening to the other species that surround us

Making Interspecies Assembly: Testing the assembly of sculpture pieces (2021) by SUPERFLEXART 2030

Individual and Collective Power

Imagine if everyone on the planet paused for five minutes. What would we hear and learn - and how would we change?

When we look back, will we be able to say this moment in time was when we secured the safety for all life, leaving no one behind?

Interspecies Assembly, SUPERFLEX. Detail of sculpture. (2021) by SUPERFLEXART 2030

A Signal For Change

Only time and our actions as humans will tell.

Interspecies Assembly
part of Interspecies Assembly by SUPERFLEX for ART 2030

All Day
21-24 September, 2021
North Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park

New York City

Credits: Story

Interspecies Assembly was developed in close collaboration with KWY.studio. 
Images courtesy of KWY.studio.


Interspecies Assembly
 by SUPERFLEX for ART 2030 is a project that features the works Interspecies Assembly and Vertical Migration. The project is generously supported by New Carlsberg Foundation, The Obel Family Foundation, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, The Ministry of Culture Denmark, Beckett Fonden and the Danish Arts Foundation.

Vertical Migration is commissioned by ART 2030 and TBA21–Academy, and supported by Avatar Alliance Foundation, Dalio Philanthropies, OceanX, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, New Carlsberg Foundation, The Obel Family Foundation, Beckett Fonden, and Danish Arts Foundation.

The Interspecies Assembly project was developed in close collaboration with Kollision and KWY.studio.
ART 2030’s Biodiversity Focus is generously supported by the Hempel Foundation.
Interview Videos are kindly supported by the Danish Arts Foundation.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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