In my master’s thesis titled “Drushba: Post Fuel Landscape”, I explored the impact of the petroleum industry on landscapes, with a particular focus on the Drushba oil pipeline.

Since 1965, this pipeline transported crude oil from Russia to Europe, supplying 95% of the fuel for Berlin and Brandenburg alone. Following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the pipeline was sanctioned by the EU on January 1, 2023, rendering it obsolete. This marked the beginning of a journey tracing the pipeline’s path through Poland, culminating in a far-reaching cultural project. The aim of this project is to transform the pipeline from a conventional energy infrastructure into a monument. Operators are legally obliged to dismantle it if it remains unused. In today’s context, we face the challenge of rethinking our infrastructures, transforming them into spaces that not only resist demolition but also preserve their significance. This ambitious project integrates art, culture, identity, and the preservation of landscapes in the Anthropocene.

It requires close collaboration among various stakeholders under the guidance of a “Drushba Institution,” including ministries, tourism boards, municipalities, galleries, and the industry. Together, a new infrastructure for hiking will be created that transcends mere movement. Twelve routes will be established along the pipeline, featuring developed trails, outdoor accommodation, interactive educational tours, and platforms for interdisciplinary exchange. These features aim to engage as many people as possible in this novel cultural project. The initiative is designed to attract city residents as a day trip to understand the origins of their fuel. It addresses workers from the fossil fuel industry, offering insights into how oil was transported to refineries. It provides researchers with opportunities to study the object in its landscape context. It gives artists a platform to critically engage with the industry and install works that enter into dialogue with the pipeline and its surroundings. Much like Roman aqueducts, the pipeline is envisioned as more than just a relic of the past, but as a monument of modern society, bridging eras and perspectives. Through artistic visibility and accessibility, this energy infrastructure invites the public to learn and critically reflect.

Drushba is a pilot project that offers a new approach to addressing humanity’s legacy on Earth. Rather than neglecting or erasing these structures, it seeks to turn them into monuments that reflect our history and responsibility toward the environment. This project embodies a shift in how we engage with the past and shape our future.