Standing water

Since the emergence of the idea of progress, movement has been regarded as a positive value. Stagnation, whether in technical, political, or economic terms, has become an evil in the dynamics of the industrial age, a precursor to decay. Paradoxically, however, neither sciences nor societal processes, nor machines nor technical media can function without inherent moments of stillness, blockage, or fixation. Certain dynamics are only possible through a prior halting and establishment of observability. In hydrology, the stagnant zones within a river are referred to as eddies. They are considered particularly rich in fish. This volume is dedicated to the study of these productive standing waters of stagnation and stillness, the reservoirs and backwaters. It brings together essays from media, art, and literature.