One Square Meter is a needle-felt sculpture which creatively demonstrates, in tangible form, the link between mobile pastoralism and the surrounding natural flora. It is comprised of a knitted carpet (base) into which 20 different species of sculpted felt plants are woven – a visual representation of the plant diversity of rangelands maintained by mobile pastoralists.
One Square Meter is a project of Roads Less Travelled Global, an initiative by Yolda Initiative, DiversEarth and Asociación Trashumancia y Naturaleza in collaboration with supporting organisations in each country. Spreading its roots to include more women and communities across the globe such as DehesaLana in Spain and Wallontu Witral in Chile, Avukma Üreten Kadınlar Kooperatifi became a part of One Square Meter adventure in Turkey.
Avukma Üreten Kadınlar Kooperatifi’s beautiful needle felt installation One Square Meter – Turkey, a visual representation of the plant diversity of rangelands maintained by mobile pastoralists in Turkey, is premiered on 8-9 December 2018 in İzmir, Turkey.
The rich ecosystem and habitat diversity in Turkey has not only produced a considerable diversity of species but has also shaped the culture of the peoples living and vice versa. With their adaptive capacity to spatial and temporal variabilities, mobile pastoralist communities of Turkey such as Yörük and Koçer communities are unique example of people and nature interaction. Survival of many plant species of rangelands depends on maintenance of mobile pastoralism.
Here is a short video from One Square Meter – Turkey exhibition