Earth is a she
Multimedia installation
Bazeos Tower 2018
This is Maria. Working close to the land has been her life since she was a young woman. Her choice to become a shepherdess goes counter to deep-seated traditional roles in Greece, where land and animals are thought to be the province of men.
She reminds us, earth is a she.
Earth is a she (video portrait, :15) ©patriciagarciagomez
Earth is a she (video portrait, 1:50) ©patriciagarciagomez
Earth is a she (video portrait 6:00) ©patriciagarciagomez
The audio for Earth is she is an original composition, created in collaboration with musician/composer/vocalist Prassanna Vishwanathan. The piece features field recordings made in Naxos while accompanying shepherdess Maria Makari in her daily work, and vocals rendered by Prassanna. We collaborated across New York, India, and Greece until we landed on this version, which feels born of the land and is in honor of Maria.
The vocals represent a deep-spirited Indian Raga Jhinjhoti. This expression is called Alaap, and comes from the oldest living Indian classical music tradition, Dhrupad. This Sanskrit mantra, which translates the essence of this work, is: "Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Matru Rupena Sansthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah!" ["O goddess that resides in all the elements as the ‘Mother,’ I bow down to thee." ]
This work was created in residence at the Bazeos Tower in Naxos, Greece. Five artists, including myself, were invited to live in the space, respond to its inspirations, and fill it with site-responsive work. We had 21 days from arrival to opening night. The theme–Around & About–-is about establishing a creative dialogue with our natural surroundings, the history, and the characteristics of the environment. In my work, I explore the living portrait, invite people listen, and bring into awareness the things that the eye/mind might miss or not perceive completely.
Earth is she is a multimedia installation composed of living portraits, sound design, and environmental theater. In the installation, the living portraits are projected 8 feet high.
Press
The Bazeos Tower is a creative space and cultural center located in the heart of Naxos, Greece (in the area leading to the coast of Agiassos). The tower dates back to the 17th century and belongs to the most typical group of monuments in Naxos, dating from 13th to the 18th century. Each year, a select number of international artists are invited to participate in an art residency and fill the space with site-responsive works.
Curator: Mario Vazaios Vice curator: Klaus Pfeiffer
Technical curator: Katerina Zourari
Enormous thanks and gratitude to Maria Makari, who I am in awe of; Prassanna Vishwanathan for his masterful vocals, and; the Bazeos Tower team, for their vision and artistic support: Curator, Mario Vazaios; Vice curator: Klaus Pfeiffer; Technical curator: Katerina Zourari. Additional acknowledgments: Audio post-production: Phil Moffa @buthchasound; Video editing: Katerina Zourari; Photos: Installation view (top center): Georgia Papad; Tower at night: ©DieterDU.