for bodies without borders
Currently, I am investigating the transitional ecosystem of the Nieuwkoopse Plassen in the Netherlands. My attempt is to tune in and experience the constantly evolving, constantly becoming life forms. To be with the assemblage of bodies and to get familiar with the uncertain ground.
While asking: How does my body, as a temporal locus, become an instrument for understanding the shifting moods, forces, and histories embedded in this landscape?
Photo by Ruben Dijkstal
Through an embodied, ecological inquiry, I delve into the bodies without borders, where land, water, and organic life merge. Trembling with the dynamics of time, space, and selfs, the work examines symbiotic relationships within an constantly shifting biosphere, where minerals, plants, bacteria, and human bodies integrate.
By engaging with these landscape through movement, writing, mapping and sensory attunement, my research seeks to uncover how corporeal experiences and embodied practices can illuminate the histories, forces, and moods embedded in this uncanny terrain. It offers a philosophical composition that bridges the organic and elemental, the present and timeless, the visible and invisible, inviting a deeper understanding of how to navigate and co-evolve with a constantly transforming world.
Photo by Ruben Dijkstal
Where Am I?
I am in this state. One of those you can be in.
A state of heaviness at first—dense warmth pressing into me, around me. I feel soaked, the air thick with a potent, heady smell that clings to my skin. It is a moment of intensity, of being fully present in the weight of the now. Yet, it is not static.
It shifts. The movement around me softens, as though the tension has exhaled. The pressure ebbs, leaving space for something lighter to emerge. I am no longer tied down by the heaviness. Instead, I rise, feeling lighter, freer. I hold this moment, and it holds me. There is belonging here—a subtle harmony as though the space has been waiting for me, and I have been waiting for it.
A Living Archive
To say hello to this place is to acknowledge its duality: not just alive but archival. It holds visible and invisible stories spanning thousands of years—a living archive of interactions and transformations. It is a portal between the living and the non-living worlds, where green meadows meet a polder system. Mills turn in quiet rotation, locks hold the water’s longing, and De Meije wends its way as a wiggly peat river, flowing with the excess of the past.
This is the Nieuwkoopse Plassen, nestled in the Green Heart of the Netherlands. Here, an assemblage of bodies—lakes, reeds, grasslands, bridges, and former peatlands—form the Dutch tableau. It is a self-organized system in constant flux, deconstructing and reconstructing itself.
Its gestures are deliberate, intra-acting in the ongoing process of becoming, engaging with other entities through motion, exchange, and transformation.
Navigating Fluid Boundaries
The swampy body I navigate in has no borders, no definitive edges. It is fluid, porous, and alive. This state and this place mirror my own body—a performative agent, porous and seeking. I sense the dissolution of rigid lines, the fading of singularity into multiplicity. The bodies here—of water, of earth, of air—are subjects of curiosity, engaged in deterritorialization and reterritorialization. Their longing shapes their forms, their movements, their becoming.
Finding myself among others: ducks, hares, ermines, otters, foxes, roe deer, and Nordic voles. Reeds and sundews, valerian and yellow lilies. Dotter flowers and bog myrtle, soft birches and club moss. These forms weave together in the rhythms of life, past and present.
Borders dissolve as movements merge and morph, creating compositions of gestures that enfold me within them. I am part of the material body of this place. Together, we are caught in a restless, endless rhythm of longing, creation, and transformation.
A Performative Landscape
In this Dutch tableau, the patterns of the land tell the stories of human adaptation.
The subdivision patterns of Nieuwkoop trace their origins back to the Great Peat Mining around the year 1000.
The northeastern areas display an irregular, block-shaped division, while linear, elongated plots dominate other regions.
The cope subdivision—a system of uniform plots—reflected a growing precision in reclaiming land. Later, rectangular patterns of roads and drainage ditches emerged, remnants of the driers constructed to reclaim land post-mining.
Peat rivers, once dug to drain the land, became vital pathways. These riverbeds, dug deep into the land, served as hubs of habitation, their elevated banks rising above the surrounding subsiding peatlands. The human effort to balance land and water continues—a delicate interplay of ecology and culture.
The Harmonies of the Relational In-Between
This space holds a balanced interplay between bodies—the harmonies of the relational in-between. It is a site of constant deconstruction and reconstruction, where togetherness becomes a performative act. Bodies without borders merge into each other, morphing as they engage in an ongoing process of becoming.
As I stand here, I feel the echoes of this flux, the longing of the land and water to exist in harmony. The winter sky hangs heavy, occasionally punctuated by a light shower. At 3.3°C, the west wind remains silent, and atmospheric humidity wraps the area in a damp stillness.
This is the Netherlands—a land shaped by water, by peat, and by human hands.
A testament to the interconnectedness of all things.
Photo by Ruben Dijkstal
Another output of my journey are participatory protocols for Bodies Without Borders: A Terrestrial Inquiry. These encourage participants to reflect on theire relationships with the biospere, and offer an opportunity to imagine new ways of belonging. To move, listen, and feel in ways that awaken a state of relation to place. As they interact with the land‘s materiality—its textures, sounds, smells and forms—they will navigate the entanglements of their bodies with the more-than-human world, uncovering how existence is shaped by shared exposures across time and space.
These protocols work in synergy to cultivate an ongoing investigation into the body’s relationship with place, time, and environment. The embodied practices evolve from grounding in the earth’s materiality, to acknowledging temporal layers and weathering forces, to understanding landscapes as interconnected, fluid assemblages. Each protocol builds on the last to deepen participants’ relational awareness and challenge the boundaries between self.
Protocol #1: Landing as Embodied Practice
Introduction
Landing is an embodied practice that focuses on grounding oneself in a space. It draws from theories of embodied cognition, which suggest that our perception and understanding of the world are deeply shaped by the ways in which we engage physically with our environment. This protocol connects to ecological theories that emphasize the interconnection between humans and the earth.
Landing as a practice reminds us of the physical presence we have on the land, and how this engagement influences our ecological relationships. The act of landing becomes a way of reconnecting with the land, recognizing the body as part of the ecosystem.
Whom is This Protocol For?
This protocol is for anyone interested in exploring embodied connections to land and nature. It is ideal for individuals or groups seeking to build a stronger sense of ecological awareness, mindfulness, or body-based awareness in relation to their environment.
What Is Required to Carry It Out?
A quiet outdoor space, ideally in nature (e.g., a forest, park, field, or garden). Comfortable clothing for walking and sitting.
Optional: Writing materials or a camera for documenting reflections.
How Long Does It Take?
Approximately 45 minutes.
Facilitator Role
One of the participants assumes the role of facilitator and introduces the practice, briefly explaining the theoretical background of embodied cognition and the importance of connecting with the land.
Location
This protocol takes place preferably outdoors.
Detailed Instructions
Introduction (5 minutes):
The facilitator briefly explains the concept of „landing“ as an embodied practice. They introduce the idea of tuning into the physical sensations of being on the land. The facilitator encourages participants to clear their minds, focus on their bodies, and prepare to engage deeply with the environment.
Grounding Exercise (15 minutes):
Participants are invited to take off their shoes (optional) and slowly walk around the designated space. They should pay close attention to how their body feels in contact with the earth. Encourage them to feel the texture of the soil, the temperature, and any other sensations they encounter. Participants should walk at a slow pace, taking time to focus on each step.
Guiding Questions for Reflection:
How does the ground feel beneath you?
Do you notice different sensations in different areas of the space? How does your body respond to these textures and changes?
Connection (15 minutes):
After the walking exercise, participants are invited to find a spot that feels particularly grounding or significant. This can be a tree, a stone, a patch of grass, or any other part of the land that stands out. They are asked to sit or stand near this space and take a few moments to engage their senses. This could involve closing their eyes and listening to the sounds of the environment, feeling the air on their skin, or observing the surroundings. Participants are encouraged to simply „be“ in the space without any expectation of doing anything.
Reflection and Group Sharing (10 minutes):
Gather the participants in a circle and ask them to share their experiences. The facilitator encourages participants to discuss the sensory experiences they had and how it felt to connect with the land in such an embodied way. What new insights emerged during the practice?
Reflection:
After sharing, participants are asked to reflect on how their understanding of „landing“ and the embodied connection to the earth might influence their relationship with the natural world in the future. Does it change their perspective on their place within the larger ecological system? The facilitator concludes by encouraging everyone to carry this grounded awareness with them moving forward.
Protocol #2: Weathering as a Practice of Interconnected Being
Introduction
This protocol is inspired by the idea of weathering as both a metaphor and a biological process. In ecology, „weathering“ refers to the continuous influence of weather patterns on ecosystems and organisms. The term also reflects how living beings adapt to, endure, and evolve with external conditions. This protocol emphasizes that all living beings are interdependent and shaped by shared environmental experiences. The aim is to engage participants in understanding their place within this interwoven web of life, where weather serves as a reminder of the cycles of change and resilience.
Whom is This Protocol For?
This protocol is for individuals or groups seeking to explore how weather influences both personal experiences and broader ecological systems. It is suitable for people interested in understanding the cyclical, interconnected nature of living systems.
What Is Required to Carry It Out?
A location where participants can experience outdoor weather conditions (rain, wind, sun, etc.). Weather-appropriate clothing for participants. A facilitator to guide participants and prompt reflection. Optional: A journal for writing reflections.
How Long Does It Take?
Approximately 90 minutes.
Facilitator Role
The facilitator explains the theory behind weathering and its ecological significance. They guide the group through an experiential engagement with the weather, encouraging participants to pay close attention to how the weather interacts with their bodies and perceptions.
Location
This protocol requires outdoor space with access to weather conditions (rain, wind, sunlight).
Detailed Instructions
Introduction (10 minutes):
The facilitator provides an overview of the concept of weathering. They introduce the idea that weather is not just a background factor but an active force in shaping ecological and human experiences.
Weather Sensory Engagement (10 minutes):
Participants are encouraged to immerse themselves in the weather, whether it involves standing in the rain, feeling the wind on their skin, or simply sitting under the sun. Encourage them to focus on their body’s responses to these weather conditions. What does the weather provoke in their bodies and minds? How does your body respond to the weather? What sensory details stand out in the weather? How does it feel to be part of the larger ecosystem affected by the weather?
Collective Weathering Activity (20 minutes):
The Participants explore the space through slow, deliberate movement. Let your hands brush against surfaces as you move.
Focus on each sense individually: What textures meet your skin? What smells or tastes linger in the air? How does the light interact with the space?
Choose an element in the environment—a tree, a rock, or the wind—and let your body mirror its qualities. How does a tree’s rootedness feel when translated into your posture? What is the rhythm of the wind as it shapes your breath?
Composing with Temporal Layers (20 minutes)
Participants engage with the temporal depth of the space, using touch, imagination, and dialogue. Listening to the ground while sit or kneel close to the earth. Press your ear to the ground, close your eyes, and listen. What does the ground say? Is it silent or humming with life? Imagine the voices of its past—water running, animals moving, people speaking. Look for a weathered object (a rock, a leaf, or a tree). Trace its weathering: How was it shaped by rain, sun, wind, or frost? Imagine the object’s past—its journey to this place, its role in the ecosystem. Share your object and its imagined story with the group. How do these stories intersect? What larger patterns emerge from these individual narratives?
Embodying Interconnectedness (20 minutes)
Participants enact the idea of weathering through collective and imaginative gestures. Stand in a circle and imagine the group as a single entity weathering the environment together.
Respond to each other’s movements, mimicking the rhythm of wind, rain, or sunlight. Let this collective movement dissolve individual boundaries. To become rhizomatic, spread out and connect with the environment, using physical gestures to “map” the relational network around you. Imagine your body extending through the ground, touching roots, rocks, and other beings. Visualize yourself as part of a vast meshwork, with no clear beginning or end.
Group Sharing (10 minutes):
The group reflects on the metaphor of weathering and its significance for understanding resilience and interconnectedness. How does experiencing weather directly influence their perception of the environment? How can this practice inform their personal and ecological resilience in the future?
Protocol #3: Composing with Temporal Layers
Introduction
„Composing with Temporal Layers“ invites participants to engage with the concept of time as it manifests in the landscape. This protocol is grounded in theories of historical ecology and time-based art practices, which emphasize that landscapes are not static but shaped by multiple temporalities—past, present, and future. Participants are encouraged to consider how different timescales interact within a landscape, from geological time to human history, and how this layering creates a complex, dynamic environment. Understanding these temporal layers allows us to compose and appreciate the richness of the space.
Whom is This Protocol For?
This protocol is for anyone interested in exploring the layers of time that have shaped a particular landscape. It is ideal for individuals or groups interested in historical ecology, creative practices, or temporal thinking.
What Is Required to Carry It Out?
A location with a rich ecological or historical context (e.g., a forest, urban area, or historical site). Materials for creating temporal maps (e.g., paper, pens, markers, clay). A facilitator to guide the group.
How Long Does It Take?
Approximately 30 minutes.
Facilitator Role
The facilitator introduces the idea of time as a layered experience within landscapes, providing context on how different temporal layers (e.g., geological, ecological, historical) interact. They guide the group in creating representations of these layers.
Detailed Instructions
Introduction to Temporal Layers (5 minutes):
The facilitator introduces the concept of temporal layers and encourages participants to think about how time is not just a linear experience but something that can be felt, seen, and understood in multiple ways within the landscape.
Temporal Mapping (20 minutes):
Participants create visual or written representations of the temporal layers in the landscape. They can use paper, markers, or even natural materials to depict the different timescales at play—ecological, geological, historical, and personal.
Group Sharing (5 minutes):
Participants share their temporal maps and discuss the ways in which time interacts in the landscape. How do different layers of time inform their experience of the environment? What new insights have emerged about the space?
Reflection:
Participants reflect on how understanding time as a layered experience changes their perception of the landscape. How can these layers of time be seen in their daily lives? What insights about past, present, and future relationships with the land have emerged?
Photo by Ruben Dijkstal