In the framework of a partnership between Edinburgh University and IUCN Urban Alliance, students of Edinburgh College of Art have created a series of experimental short films exploring the theme of ecological urbanism. The trailer and synopsis of one of the films are outlined below. The full-length films will be screened at the Urban Planet Pavilion during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France, in September 2021.
Logline
In the urban area of Edinburgh, gulls occupy public spaces during the evening and early hours of the morning. This habitat is therefore shared by multiple species including gull and human, but competition has never stopped.
Synopsis
Gulls are very common in Edinburgh and many coastal cities in Scotland, they adapt to the urban environment sufficiently. This short film draws attention to the scenario of gulls interacting with human infrastructures under the absence of humans. From night till dawn, gulls take over parking lots and construction sites. Humans go to work and take over spaces in the morning. This routine repeats daily in urban areas. By showing the documentation of gulls’ genuine behaviour, this short film attempts to showcase the configurations of cohabitation.
Statement
Urban gulls live incredibly close to us, and they constantly hover around bins like scavengers. Many gulls are recognized as pests due to their disturbing noises and nesting behaviours on rooftops, meanwhile their population in UK is threatened (for example, the herring gull). Nevertheless, in the late evening or early morning gulls are seen resting and occupying empty public spaces such as the Meadows or parking lots, as
though they are finally allowed to sleep on their huge shared bed after humans are back to their own houses. It almost feels like there are shifts and rotations for the ownership of urban spaces, resonating with the spinning sun and moon.
Instead of drilling into the controversial judgements, the short film raises the discussion of shared territories. Every creature has their own boundaries which cannot be violated but can be slightly adjustable. For example, the trees have their “crown shyness” to avoid interfering with other trees, and flatmates usually have an implicit sense of understanding, naturally forming a schedule about bathroom or kitchen occupation. In terms of the urban area, different occupants utilize the public spaces at different times, like different layers overlapping on the same territory. The layer of humans is switched off during the night, and the layer of birds is pushed to the side while daylight shines again.
This short film is a response to the concept of ecological urbanism. Before we can start to imagine an eco-friendly city, we must think about what kind of cohabitation we are having with other species at the moment. Some may feel that humans built and therefore own the urban area. However, to non-human species, humans are just occupying the place like they do. This film is not demanding a solution. Instead, it aims to provoke a review on the tangled and dynamic relationship between humans and gulls.
Filmmaker biographies
Hsin Shyu, MFA Art, Space and Nature
Inspired by natural landscape and her scientific background, Hsin Shyu is particularly interested in fundamental principles or ubiquitous phenomenon which elegantly portray our physical world, and always believe that there’s certain unity among all the reactions and interactions which we cannot fully explain with rules and formula but have to seek for the deep understanding of philosophy. She works across a range of media, including found objects, performance, film and print, which develop from her observation of time and process.
Lilien Li, MA Art, Space and Nature
Acquired her artist training at the University of Edinburgh and RMIT University, Li engages in her practice articulating contemporary context with her focus on the notion of time/space. While she collaborates with multi-medium, her works are transforming her temporal, spatial and cultural sensitivities into diverse forms of art, including installation and conceptual pieces. Her works have been exhibited internationally in Hong Kong, Scotland, South Korea, Australia and Taiwan.
Sarah Roy, MSc Composition for Screen
Sarah has studied music at Edinburgh College, Edinburgh Napier University, and The University of Edinburgh. She is a pianist and composer, who aims to work primarily in film, television, and media.
Saul Pankhurst, BA(Hons) Film and Television
Filmmaker/cinematographer based in Edinburgh.