But AQUATOR doesn't stop there. It leads us to inspiring encounters with interspecies cooperation in ecosystems and with human initiatives and practices focusing on a shared and peaceful use of water. A fresh breeze of inspiration takes us on a creative journey to new visions of sharing water.

AQUATOR - the Project

AQUATOR is an artistic research project by the AQUATOR collective: Regina Hügli (One Body of Water) and Elisabeth Kopf (Design Buero Baustelle).

A broad network of knowledge partners are also part of this project. We are in exchange and collaborate with scientists, artistic researchers, governmental institutions, NGOs and experts from various fields of practice. 

AQUATOR evolves dynamically by its own flow. Influences, challenges, possibilities are part of it. 

These are the products of the project so far:

- AQUATOR - the Game
- AQUATOR workshops
- "Wasserwissensfall" - a spatial installation
- Water Cruises
- Water Drinking Class, University of Applied Arts, Vienna.

AQUATOR - The Game

The knowledge game AQUATOR is an analog, creative discussion game for groups of young people and adults. It follows both an educational mandate and the inspiration and respect we experience when we start to learn from other species and natural systems.

AQUATOR aims to raise awareness of the need for careful and sustainable use of water and the vital importance of preserving biodiversity and protecting the climate. 

AQUATOR offers well-founded information about water and water bodies, but also about economic, social, political factors shaping our interactions with water. It fosters understanding of systemic interrelations and conflicts of interest concerning water. Moreover the game offers inspiration by nature - and leads to a co-creative process of the players. 

Contextual Clusters
A pilot version on Water and Climate in the City ("Edition Vienna") was created in spring 2024 in collaboration with knowledge partners from BOKU University, the University of Vienna and departments of the city administration (a.o.).

AQUATOR "Vienna Edition" was played  at the Klimabiennale Vienna (Water Cruises), the Vienna Design Week (Flowing Connections) in 2024 and was adapted for the mediation program of the exhibition WATER PRESSURE at the Museum of Applied Arts Vienna in 2025.

Currently we work on a new cluster:
"Energy transition and water bodies in Alpine regions". 

Elements of this cluster were at the core of the workshop "Change of Perspectives" held at the Energy Expert Forum of the European Strategies for Alpine Regions (EUSALP) in Villach (AT) June 2025. 

AQUATOR - the Game is supported by the Austrian the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, as well as the Embassy of Switzerland in Austria. 

Therefore, we also engage in teaching. At the University of Applied Arts Vienna we engaged in "Experimental project work" and held the "Water Drinking Class" together in autumn/winter 2024/2025.

AQUATOR - the Journey

- "Change of Perspectives", A workshop on energy transition and spatial conflicts in alpine regions, Energy Expert Forum, EUSALP, Villach, June 2025

- AQUATOR mediation program to the exhibition WATER PRESSURE, Museum of Applied Arts Vienna, May-September 2025

- Sharing Water, Experimental Project Work, University of Applied Arts, Vienna, Winter 2024/25

- Flowing Connections, Sharing Water Workshops, Vienna Design Week, September 2024, Technical University Vienna.

- Blue Gold Water Cruises, Game Workshops on the Donaukanal, as part of the Klimabiennale Vienna 2024

- "Wasserwissensfall" - a spatial installation at the European Citizen Science Congress, Natural History Museum Vienna, April 6th, 2024.

Would you like to contribute?

- as a knowledge partner
- as a donor or sponsor
- as an organizer or network partner
- as a player

Please contact us!

Photo Credits: Workshops at the Volkskundemuseum Vienna 2023 (Kramar, Kollektiv Fischka), workshops at the Technical University Vienna, Vienna Design Week (Matthias Heisler), workshops at the Water Cruises, Klimabiennale Vienna 2024 (Christian Prinz),  installation "Knowledge Waterfall" and workshop at the Natural History MuseumVienna April 2024 (Regina Hügli).

Many thanks to the funding supporters of the game AQUATOR.