Field Work Impressions
New Ways of Ethnographic Collecting and Exhibiting
After a prepatory seminar in the winter term 2022/23, the actual field practice seminar takes place in summer term 2023 and deals with the conception, planning and implementation of an exhibition. Under the supervision of Sanda Üllen and Igor Eberhard 20 students are involved from brainstorming to financing, writing texts, selecting the objects to be exhibited, designing the exhibition to its opening and long-term archiving of the results.
The students decide to curate the exhibition under the title "Lost in Gender". The presentation of objects of the department's collection as well as recent photographs and everyday-objects serves as a critical examination of the gender binary. Topics include the colonialist imposition of bisexuality on non-European cultures as well as current queer realities.
- The exhibition could be visited from 15.09.-12.10.2023 in the meeting room of the department
- Website of the exhibition: https://exhibition-guide-to-gender.earth/
Brainstorming for the exhibition begins in summer term 2023
It must be carefully consifdered which objects will be on display in the exhibition.
Students setup the exhibition during the summer months.
The exhibition visitor gains insights into an expedition report written by aliens that begins to fill the gaps left by colonial explorations and social norming...
... Instead of generalizing, the explorers are not irritated by the initial confrontation with a strict distinction into two separate genders, but begin a meticulous work that results in the discovery of the greater diversity of gender models among Earth's inhabitants.
On September 15th, the exhibition is officially opened.
The opening speech is followed by a panel discussion on the current situation and reality of life for queer people.
Students offer regular guided tours through the exhibition in the following weeks.
Naturwahrnehmung um den Nationalpark Neusiedler See - Seewinkel
In two field stays (March and June), 5 MA studetns under the supervision of Franz Graf and Gertraud Seiser spend three weeks in and around the national park Neusiedler See – Seewinkel.
During the first stay, the focus is on getting to know the region, its institutions and intensive discussions with experts. Between the field visits, the students develope small projects cooperatively but independently of each other, focusing on the perception of nature by different groups of actors. For this purpose, the empirical surveys are carried out during the second field stay.
- field stay 1: 26.03.-02.04.2023
- field stay 2: 29.05.-12.06.2023
Tirza Stock, Magdalena Langheiter, Vadym Yeremiichuk, Gertraud Seiser, Marica Zvonarits und Nikola Blagojevic am Steg der Biologischen Station Illmitz nach einer Führung durch die Biologische Station (durch Gilbert Hafner) und einem Gespräch über mögliche Folgekooperationen mit Thomas Zechmeister.
© Franz Graf
Die Region Seewinkel kann nicht verstanden werden, ohne das Schilfrohr bzw. den Schilfgürtel in die Forschung miteinzubeziehen. Schilfrohr bildet ausgeprägte Monokulturen, die jedoch in ihrem Alter und Struktur vielfältig sind. Schilf hat viele Erscheinungsformen, was dazu führt, dass Menschen mit Schilfbeständen unterschiedlich umgehen.
Magdalena Langheiter hat sich im Zuge des zweiten Feldaufenhalts mit der heterogenen Wahrnehmung von Schilf durch verschiedene Akteur*innengruppen im Seewinkel auseinandergesetzt. Dabei wurde nicht nur die Perspektive des Nationalparks Neusiedler See, sondern auch die der Feuerwehr Illmitz und die zweier Schilfschneider miteinbezogen.
© Magdalena Langheiter
Im Zuge der Forschung wurde deutlich, dass Schilf nicht immer gleich aussieht und sich auch sein Nutzen verändert. Das Bild zeigt grünes und frisches Jungschilf. Nach einem Jahr Wachstum wird es dann einjähriges Schilf genannt. Dieses kann in einzelnen Gebieten rund um den Neusiedlersee von Schilfschneidern im Winter geerntet und im nächsten Schritt weiterverarbeitet werden.
© Magdalena Langheiter
Dieses Bild hingegen zeigt das sogenannte Knickschilf. Wird Schilf älter, dann verändert sich seine Farbe und seine Struktur. Schilf wird bräunlich und knickt um. Bei Knickschilf handelt es sich um einen wichtigen Lebensraum, der von vielen Vogelarten rund um den Neusiedlersee genutzt wird. Knicken die Schilfhalme zu sehr ineinander entstehen dichte Schilfmatten und es bildet sich das sogenannte Bruchschilf. Problematisch bei diesem Altschilfbestand ist, dass einerseits Jungschilf durch die dichten Schilfmatten nicht mehr hindurchwachsen kann und andererseits keine Vögel dort brüten. Erst durch das genaue Hinschauen wird wahrnehmbar, dass Schilf nicht gleich Schilf ist.
© Magdalena Langheiter
Ende März stehen wir (im Bildvordergrund Nikola Blagojevic und Franz Graf) im Schneesturm an der Brücke von Andau. Dieser nun offene Grenzübergang wurde nach 1956 zum Symbol für die Flucht aus autoritären Regimen und verweist auf den Seewinkel als einen Hotspot für Flucht und Migration.
Die Erkundungen, Eindrücke und Gespräche mit Expert*innen während des ersten Feldaufenthalts regten die Studierenden zu ihren individuellen Projekten an.
© Gertraud Seiser
Nicht nur als Urlaubs- und Erholungsregion ist das Burgenland innerhalb von Österreich bekannt. Mediale Aufmerksamkeit haben auch immer wieder dramatische Fluchtereignisse erregt. Als Grenzregion Richtung Osten hat der Seewinkel hierbei eine besondere Position inne. Tirza Stock interessiert sich im Rahmen des Feldpraktikums für die Perspektiven von Geflüchteten, die ihren Lebensmittelpunkt um den Neusiedlersee herum haben. Wie sehen ihre Alltagsrealitäten aus? Wie erfahren sie in ihrer Umgebung die Natur? Welche Relevanz hat diese in ihrem Leben? In den Interviews mit Geflüchteten zum Thema Natur sind neben der persönlichen Migrationsgeschichte
auch Vorstellungen von Heimat, Familie und Religion zum Vorschein gekommen.
© Vadym Yeremiichuk
Das ist ein Acker – genauer gesagt ist es ein Saatgutmaisacker -, welcher im Seewinkel bewässert wird. Der Seewinkel hat in den letzten Jahren neue Grundwassertiefpunkte erreicht. Gründe dafür sind zum einem der Klimawandel mit den immer länger werdenden Trockenperioden und zum anderen anthropogene Eingriffe in den Wasserhaushalt des „Feuchtgebietes“. Mittels zahlreicher Entwässerungs- und Bewässerungssysteme wird Grundwasser in der Region entnommen, was inzwischen nicht nur lokal hinterfragt wird. Dabei ist der Diskurs um die Infrastruktur Wasser emotional geladen. Marica Zvonarits beschäftigt sich mit zwei Betrieben in Illmitz, die ihre Kulturen bewässern. Sie interessiert sich dabei dafür, wie diese Landwirt*innen in dieser wasserknappen Region Wasser und den Umgang damit wahrnehmen.
© Marica Zvonarits
Während des Feldpraktikums im Nationalpark Neusiedler See-Seewinkel untersuchte Vadym Yeremiichuk die komplexen Zusammenhänge zwischen Tourismus, Nachhaltigkeit und der lokalen Naturwahrnehmung. Durch Interviews mit wichtigen Stakeholdern, u.a. Tourismusmanagern, dem Bürgermeister von Illmitz und der Bürgermeisterin von Podersdorf sowie einem Vertreter des Nationalparks, versuchte er, ein Verständnis für die Aushandlungsprozesse zwischen touristischen Ansprüchen und den politisch-ökologischen Bedingungen des Umweltschutzes zu entwickeln. Seine Recherche ergab, dass es viele Herausforderungen gibt, von der Vereinbarkeit unterschiedlicher Perspektiven bis hin zur Umsetzung nachhaltiger Praktiken. Diese können nur im Kontext einer Sehnsucht nach einer tiefen Verbundenheit mit der Heimat und der Hoffnung auf eine harmonische Zukunft verstanden werden. Darüber hinaus beleuchtet seine Arbeit nicht nur die komplexen Dynamiken rund um den Nationalpark Neusiedler See-Seewinkel, sondern verdeutlicht auch das Potenzial eines anthropologischen Zugangs bei der Erforschung der Nuancen von Mensch-Umwelt-Beziehungen.
Die Fotos (© Vadym Yeremiichuk) zeigen wichtige touristische Punkte: 1 - Strandbad in Illmitz, 2 - Strandbad in Podersdorf am See, 3 - Der Leuchtturm von Podersdorf, 4 - Weiße Esel in Sandeck - Neudegg bei Illmitz, 5 und 6 - Aussichtsturm am Rande der Graurinderkoppel im Seevorgelände.
Während eines Feldpraktikums spielen gemeinsame Mahlzeiten eine besondere Rolle. Studierende und Lehrende sitzen am Tisch zusammen, teilen ihre Gedanken, Erfahrungen und Ideen und erweitern ihr Verständnis durch den Dialog. Eine grundlegende Dynamik anthropologischer Praxis.
© Franz Graf
In his digital ethnography project, Nikola Blagojevic explores the narratives and stories of Burgenland Bunch members regarding their connection to the nature and environment of Burgenland. The Burgenland Bunch is a history and genealogy group focused on developing genealogical data concerning Burgenland emigrants and assisting individuals of Burgenland descent in tracing their ancestral heritage. Notably, a significant number of Burgenland Bunch members are descendants of Burgenland emigrants who settled in the United States, and they maintain a link to the region’s environment through stories passed down by their ancestors and personal experiences.
© Nikola Blagojevic
Field School in Indonesia: Civil Society Organisations in Java
In summer term 2023, 8 MA-students under the supervision of Gabriele Weichart spend three weeks in Java, Indonesia.
Together with students from Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, they will work in different areas to explore the structures and work of different NGOs.
- field stay: 01-26.05.2023
- Instagram account: @javanthropics
The Field School in Indonesia started with a visit to the Anthropology Department at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta because students from both universities will collaborate in their research. Each group of students will be based with one local NGO and focus on one particular topic that ranges from gender-based violence to the environmental issues, from eco-tourism to traditional and contemporary arts and crafts.
© Gabriele Weichart
Sophia Sternath has started working with Eco Enzyme which is an Indonesian NGO that, among other places, operates in Kulon Progo in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The aim is to use fermentation processes to produce cleaning products, medical products and personal hygiene products from organic waste, but also fertilizers and agents for air and water purification. Apart from that, a lot of emphasis is also placed on education by offering local children the opportunity to use the library on Sundays to read or to take part in workshops.
© Sophia Sternath
Trying to do fieldwork without prior team meetings is like trying to cook gourmet Nasi Goreng without a recipe - you might end up with a hot mess instead of hot data! ARuPA (Alliance of Volunteers to Save Nature) is an Indonesian NGO engaged in the preservation of natural resources and the environment. It was formed in 1998 in Yogyakarta by several students and young alumni of the Faculty of Forestry, Gajah Mada University. Their work is based on the vision of an economically-socially-politically empowered civil society: to realize fair, sustainable, democratic and sustainable management of natural resources and the environment; towards the achievement of community welfare. The mission is to empower forest communities by creating a sustainable system for community-based forest resource management, achieved by conducting studies, strengthening local institutions, and providing community assistance. Kajetan Moro will be working with ARuPA over the next few weeks.
© Kajetan Moro
Rifka Annisa is an organisation that is fighting against gender-based violence. They host women‘s shelters in Yogyakarta, educate communities around sexual harassment and domestic violence, council survivors and advocate for gender equity in Indonesia. They also have a social media channel that you should check out where they inform around gender issues, women’s rights and violence. Anna Lena has started her research with this organisation.
© Anna Lena Seidel
This is Bettie Kirsch with a traditional Javanese rice husker called "lesung", used throughout Java by Indonesian rice farmers. Today it serves as a bench in JAVLEC's office.
JAVLEC is a non-profit organization that promotes forest conservation and social forestry and is active in many parts of Indonesia. Their goal is to support civil society organizations (CSOs) to improve natural resource management in local communities.
One of these projects is in Kalibiru, a small forest village in the Special Region of Yogyakarta that has reclaimed its exploited forest. It is now a protected area. To create new jobs outside the timber business, the community began building a well-known ecotourism sight in the forest. Although local tourism was affected by the pandemic, Kalibiru is now striving to regain its former popularity.
© Bettie Kirsch
In Indonesia, waste management is a pressing issue, with challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited recycling practices, and the improper disposal of waste. This leads to environmental pollution, health risks, and the depletion of valuable resources. During my fieldwork, I learned firsthand how Monumen Antroposen is demanding a transformative shift from society. The project engaged with the local community, and it became evident that the monument serves as a catalyst for change. It challenges the prevailing attitudes towards waste management and calls for a collective transformation in how we perceive and handle waste. Monumen Antroposen draws attention. We need to think about waste as not only a problem of nature as a physical entity but also about the social environment of certain neighborhoods, Therefore. Monumen Antropsen adopts a collaborative approach on sustainable practices, and contributes to the creation of a more environmentally conscious society.
© Aysel Aycan Aktaş
Waterworlds Philippines - Austria
In January 2023, 6 students under the supervision of Bernhard Hadolt spend almost a month in the Philippines. The research focus is on social phenomena, practices and meanings of drinking and domestic water as manifested in the Philippines and Austria from a comparative perspective.
Lea Nobel offers us insight into her individual research project.
- field stay: 03.-31.01.2023
A photo of rainy Manila. The overall theme of the seminar was "Anthropology of Water": As it was very rainy during our stay, we found a lot of water – and rain is one of the most precious kinds of water of all. Each of us worked on an individual research project, applying anthropological research methods in practice. Interestingly, through our individual research, we all found a project connected to the many distinctions in water: drinking water, sea water, well water, or dirt water.
© Lea Nobel
Part of our group was doing research on Apo Island: Since there is electricity only between 6PM and 10PM it was the perfect place to study handwashing, as a washing machine does not make sense under these circumstances. Here we are standing close to a well, which is central to the village. It was an interesting place to start the research on the island, as a lot of locals got their water supplies from it or washed pieces of clothing close to the well.
© Lea Nobel
My personal research project was connected to the role of handwashing the laundry – here I am doing my own laundry. The practice of washing is very important in the Philippines. Hand washing is generally widespread, especially in private households (i.e. not necessarily in laundromats, where washing machines are used due to the heavy workload).
© Lea Nobel
One of the main findings was that hand washing is generally considered cleaner than the washing machine. Often the higher cleanliness was explained by the fact that hand washing means that specific dirty spots are washed, while the washing machine only "turns in circles". Here, one of my informants prepares the various ‘basins’ needed for the washing process later.
© Lea Nobel