Becoming Rock
Photographs of a site responsive performance
Whales Beach, Swampscott, MA
February, 2021
Plaster, cheese cloth, gold leaf, mylar
I have thought a lot about how I fit into this landscape. With all the vastness of the ocean and sky it was hard for me to contextualize myself, my small body, without always just being on the edge. I wanted to be the clouds, wind, water, and rocks in order to understand. Needing to feel connected and rooted- especially when I had no clear path in my life and no space to call my own, and especially with the pandemic making real contact with others impossible, I made the outside my space and grew into it. I kissed the salty rocks and hugged the water that cradled me. “I love you ocean and I love you sky, I love you rocks and creatures of the water,” was my greeting to this place.
When asked about almost anything dealing with the future (my future) my answer was “I don’t know”. Residing in the space of unknowing allows for new understanding. I think having a plan is an illusion, and certainly that illusion allows for more comfort and the ability to storm forward with an agenda which is really helpful, but I will forever treasure this time of not having plans. New things came forward for me in an organic way that would never have happened otherwise.