GR /ENG
Based on the island of Tinos, in the Cyclades of the Aegean Archipelago, we experience firsthand the issues that small island communities face every day. Otonom is conceived as a platform through which we can engage more effectively with these challenges.
We see the resilience and wellbeing of rural communities as interlinked with the protection of ecosystems’ balance and biodiversity, including ecosocial, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems.
Through creative partnerships of art, science and technology within the expanded cultural field, we conceive, design and produce concrete actions and projects that stem from and engage with small community needs, balance the inequalities between the urban and the rural, while addressing environmental issues of global concern.
Otonom was established in 2024 by Hypercomf, artists working at the intersections of art, science and technology.
Here are some of the current challenges we have identified:
Islands in the Eastern Mediterranean are particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. In the case of the Cycladic islands, this manifests in an increasingly arid climate characterised by extreme water shortage, land erosion, loss of biodiversity and desertification.
Small islands have limited freshwater resources. The steep increase in water consumption due to overtourism is stressing these resources tremendously, and is further affected by droughts, leading to water shortage for ecosystems, local residents and small-scale agriculture.
Efficient waste disposal and recycling are challenging due to limited space and resources. The lack of appropriate waste management solutions leads to increasing land, freshwater and sea pollution, habitat degradation and human health hazards.
Unique and fragile ecosystems are threatened by habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, and climate change, resulting in a significant loss of biodiversity. Ensuring the well being of local biodiversity is of critical importance towards building environmentally resilient landscapes.
Small-scale agro-ecological ways of perfectly adapted living had flourished for thousands of years. These once resilient agricultural ecosystems are threatened by abuse of resources and unsustainable pratises, as well as rising temperatures and water scarcity.
Eroded and limited arable land, water scarcity, extreme weather conditions, loss of habitats and the economic non viability of small-scale farming, beekeeping and fishing as professions, hamper local agriculture resulting in food insecurity.
Relying on imported fossil fuels and electricity for energy, which is costly and environmentally damaging. Responsible and realistic transitioning to renewable energy sources, including small-scale solutions for energy autonomy, are a necessary first step for sustainable development.
The extreme number of seasonal visitors and the consumerist culture of tourism strain local resources and infrastructure, damage the landscape and degrade natural environments, stress rural communities and erode cultural heritage.
Heavy reliance on tourism as an economic resource makes small communitites more vulnerable to financial fluctuations and travel market trends, it negatively affects the variety of employment options and the wellbeing of local residents.