Water hadde dudde da?

collaborative installation

Historically, the Northern Black Forest has been an attractive region for beer brewers, drawn to the pristine water sources essential for crafting distinguished flavours. Today, human activity is increasingly affecting water at all levels, disrupting the distinctive taste it gives to beers. The drinking habits of the locals have also changed over time, due to the arrival of migrant communities who are not accustomed to drinking beer.Going beyond beer, the collective introduces Knötti, a new refreshing alcohol-free drink made from local waters, German hops and Japanese knotweed harvested in the nearby forest. The newly arrived knotweed is currently considered nothing but a harmful invasive species. Given its refreshing flavour, vitamins, and the omnipresence of the plant, it has potential for local drink production. ‘Water hadde dudde da’ (a dialect for ‘What do you have there?’) re-establishes the connection between the German drinking society and the evolving ecosystem. 

The work ‘Water hadde dude da’ by Henriette Waal, Moreno Schweikle, Anthea Oestreicher, Amalia Shem Tov and Jan Schulz for Ketterer Brauerei curated by Willem Schenk was developed on the occasion of ‘ORNAMENTA 2024’ corresponding to the theme ‘Schmutzige Ecke’ exhibited at Egon Eiermann's Matthäuskirche in Pforzheim. 

All Photos by Sander van Wettum