My cookie preferencesOur late-modern societies are characterized by profound experiences of loss. In the context of the Anthropocene, these losses are particularly evident in the relationship between societies and their natural environment. Alpine regions, for instance, are currently witnessing the gradual decline of “natural” snow. While enchanting winter landscapes are becoming increasingly rare, the availability of snow remains a central promise of the tourism and leisure industries. This promise is fulfilled through artificial snowmaking.
However, artificially produced snow is not merely a substitute for “real” snow – nor can it be. Rather, it represents nature made available. As such, snow can be produced at will, largely independent of its natural conditions: whenever, wherever, and however desired. As modifiable nature, artificial snow primarily functions as a link between diverse associations, such as societal relationships with nature, regional value chains, technological imaginaries, cultural practices, and sustainability controversies.
In this context, the project explores, on the one hand, how snow is conceived as a technologically moldable and utilizable resource. On the other hand, it examines how snow production forms a socio-technical network that intertwines economic, political, social, and biophysical elements.
