An ancient tradition came alive in a modern form right in the middle of the city at Mediamatic Fabriek. Sam Brown-Kenyon came from down under to study and to research the technology. The idea of aquaponic is that the fish poo feeds the plants, and the plants clean the water for the fish, getting this way a closed circle.

Aquaponic is an alternative cultivation method where plants and fish play the main role. Plants are not growing in soil but through pebbles and gravel. Water comes from a sealed tank and substitute for the plants is coming from the fish. Some tanks contain around 100 smaller or 10-15 bigger fish. Mostly they breed catfish.

It is a totally natural and sustainable method no additional chemicals are introduced. The process can go on basically for ever, only water need to be added.

Many plants are compatible with this system: salads, tomato, capsican, potato, carrot, spices and herbs. Every component of the system is the same for the different plants only the the harvesting time differs.

It's a fantastic solution for locations where not enough water or space is given for agriculture. Many professionals believe in this technique as the future.

Mediamatic is active and involved with experiments like this since 1983. If you visit them you can meet researchers, bio designers and scientific artists.

If you are interested, do visit their website, or visit one of their workshop in Amsterdam.