What if we could build an entire rainforest out of things that others have thrown away?

The goal of this year’s Expedition is to work together to create a large rainforest installation made of junk art that will fill the entire room and draw visitors into its story. The point isn’t for everyone to take one item home. Together, we’ll build one enormous rainforest that will gradually grow from the floor to the ceiling, starting on the very first day.

The assignment is clearly defined, so participants don’t have to struggle to come up with their own concept. Everyone can find their own role—some will create plants and trees, others animals or insects, and still others will work on lights, sounds, or interactive elements. The result will be a single collaborative work that brings together various disciplines and skills.

We’ll work mainly with recycled and found materials. We want to give a second life to plastics (not just PET bottles), but also to old tires, sheet metal, metal parts, and other items that would otherwise end up as waste. Much of the work will be done by hand—using scissors, cutters, hot glue guns, wire, glue, and other common workshop tools. We’re not afraid to experiment and see what can be created from materials that most people would throw away.

But the “Prales” won’t just be a static installation. We want to bring it to life with lights, sounds, projections, and ideally interactive elements as well. For example, someone might press a button and a part of the installation lights up, a sound plays, or a projection starts. That’s why we’re looking not only for people who enjoy artistic creation but also for those drawn to the technical side of the project.