P001 →Pulverizing the world, but also spiritualizing its dust
Installation view of ‘Pulverizing the world, but also spiritualizing its dust’, Gasworks Open Studios, London, 2024.
In an era where the traces of Modernity are still evident, we can recognize how these systems have sanitized our perception of the environment, drawing a clear boundary between humanity and the organic world, 'Pulverizing the world, but also spiritualizing its dust' delves into this disconnection in the urban context. This project navigates through spiritual ecology—a practice with the transformative power to bridge the gap between humanity and the natural world. Drawing from the esoteric currents of Britain’s Magical Revival, a period marked by a resurgence of occultism and mysticism as a counterpoint to the Enlightenment, these works imagine a new mythology for our time.
Central to this project is the use of found objects such as the iconic feather duster, analyzed as a cultural artifact that reveals some of the ways in which species have been instrumentalized and subjected to commodification. By recontextualizing this artifact, this series of works highlight the cultural weight it carries and explore its potential to inspire a renewed connection between humanity and its organic belonging. This approach echoes the spirit of the Magical Revival plays, which wove together diverse cultural narratives, celebrating the power of cross-cultural exchange. At the heart of 'Pulverizing the world, but also spiritualizing its dust' is a surreal, syncretic character inspired by the Sacha Runa, a guardian from Ecuadorian folklore deeply rooted in Andean cosmovision. This animalistic hybrid, the protector of upland regions and their creatures, stands as a fierce defender against human encroachment.
In a ritualistic performance, the character embodies a cleansing force, subverting symbols and challenging entrenched social structures while invoking a profound call to stillness amidst the relentless pace of industrialization.
‘Pulverizing the world, but also spiritualizing its dust’, Gasworks Open Studios, London, 2024.
Photo performance (Collaboration with Carl Bigmore)
Four 120mm film photographs
31 x 31 cm (ea.)
2024
‘Emotion of Multitude’ Gasworks Open Studios, London, 2024.
Graphite on paper
60 x 84 cm
2024
‘Dust Guardian’, Gasworks Open Studios, London, 2024.
Ostrich feather dusters, plastic fiber mesh , cotton thread.
170 x 90 x 35 cm
2024
Photos: Peter Otto.