Over two years this project will investigate the geological, cultural, spiritual and environmental meaning of the wastelands in the world. Different levels of topographical transformation will be considered, including desertification by industrialization and globalization. During this collaborative project, multimedia art works will be produced by co-operating with researchers of science and humanities. The outcome will be, along with the art works, a production of special digital and paper publications with scientific, literary and theoretical essays as well as artistic contributions and illustrations.

Every itinerary comprises three parts:
The first regards the journey of the artist in the deserts and wasteland itself. These journeys are for the artist Maria Rebecca Ballestra more then a research method, by confronting herself physically and psychologically with conditions of the environment, she explores and experiences possibilities of divers viewpoints and processes. The artistic production as an expression of experiences and insight got through the desert journeys follows as second part. For the third part, which  focuses on the geopolitical or anthropological contexts the deserts stays in, is invited a researcher to contribute an essay.

Next desert itineraries:

Arctic – with the boat expedition to Greenland in collaboration with Ninth Wave Global in July 2017

Gobi Desert – in collaboration with MCASA (Mongolian Contemporary Art Support Association) in August 2017