Desertification is the process where fertile land turns into desert due to factors like drought,

deforestation, and inappropriate agriculture.

This process differs from the naturally existing rich and beautiful deserts, which now threatened by climate change, military activism and extractivism face extreme decreasing processes in their vital functions even showing in some parts of the world signs of decrease in size.

In contrast, the expansion and increase of so called man-made deserts is marching ahead - with drastic effects on water use and availability, often linked to military actions and events, creating vast, hidden ghostly landscapes.

The Tabernas Desert in Andalusia Spain, also known as thhe „salad bowl“ area of Europe, exemplifies the severe impacts of mega agricultural structures and their impact on the expansion of man-made deserts. These developments not only deplete natural resources but also drive the migration of laborers from Africa, who often have no rights, homes, and suffer health impacts from working in pesticide-laden greenhouses.

Deserts, the origin of nomadic life, are now being transformed into static agricultural zones of extractivism.

Seeing these movements of land, water and people and the intersections on the internal and external landscapes we ask:

Which effect does desertification has also on our inner landscapes?

Here comes the ecosomatic dance performance proposal „Pouring Sand“ into play. In many cultures, pouring sand in symbolic forms through movement and dance is an act of drawing protective lines around a home. What if pouring sand becomes a constant state of mind and action of transformation? What if we become ancient in our futures?