Liz Ebengo

Continued., MA Material Futures, Winner, 2023

‘CONTINUED’ examines the sociocultural cost of adapting to climate change and our complicity in cultural erosion. Utilising the capabilities of DNA storage to encrypt a library of sound and film all in one seed means stories that would be forgotten will be remembered.

Tragedies are etched into our memories – some that we choose to forget, and others too catastrophic to ignore.

Climate policy and legislation often fail to engage with the urgency of protecting the values, places and lived experiences of those affected. Low-lying areas will be submerged underwater, other regions turned into dust and, arguably the gravest tragedy of all, the gradual loss of the rich and diverse flavours that make humanity so unique – our culture.

In my project, I aim to capture the culture of Vanuatu through a special artifact representing the island’s women – their vibrant food, materials and sounds. During my research, I discovered the tale of the last female cultivator of musa balbisiana, a type of wild banana with seeds, on the remote island of Épi. She embodied perseverance and custodianship by nurturing the rare plant while her melodic compositions echoed the spirit of the land. Immortalising her song in the DNA of the very plant she cultivates isn’t only a tribute to the resilient spirit, vibrant heritage and unique contributions of Épi’s women, but also a celebration of the rich cultural tapestry of Vanuatu.

The absence of legislation legally obligating states to safeguard cultures in the face of the climate crisis is a concerning reality. Furthermore, existing migration policies leave the protection of women’s cultural heritage vulnerable. The erosion of cultures and displacement of communities yield profound consequences: loss of invaluable knowledge, wisdom and diverse perspectives. The struggles of the Ni-Vanuatu foreshadow a future where countless cultures face a similar fate, emphasising the need to preserve our shared human experience.

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