A short animated film / dance performance by the students of my Architecture Studio: YOMO (Your Ocean, My Ocean) that conveys the ocean’s urgent call.
The Ocean is a living matrix of immense scale. Our charge is to bring the message of its state to the scale of human experience: from the source of tidal phenomena that extend to our planetary system to the rhythmic action that links water molecules to waves. Embodiment through sound, rhythm and movement, in addition to making visible the unintended consequences of human activities.
A Wound the Size of the World. Artists: Yong Jin Jo & Lilly Zhang
These short clips introduce the difficulty of conveying the vast scale of the ocean to the human body. Despite the ocean’s immensity, it is vulnerable to critical tipping points. Minute difference can bring about huge consequences for life on earth.
When the Conveyor Stops. Artists: Anya Drozd, Lisa Marie Gerdes & Yinru Chen
The connection between rising sea temperatures, increased freshwater from melting ice and a slowdown in ocean circulation that could threaten sea life and bring about disastrous weather changes.
Carbon’s Cyclical Path/ology. Artist: Dewen Ju
Perhaps the most pressing tipping point that throws the ocean’s balance off is its acidification and the dire consequences on all (sea) life. This sequence illustrates the chain of connections inherent in this process.
Embodied Ocean. Artists: Madison Russ, Eleni Contis, Brown Fusion Dancers.
The projection screen doubles as an embodied ocean. The deep blue ocean is rendered and projected upon a fabric screen that drops to become the ocean surface animated by dance.
We would like to thank the following people, without whom we would not have been able to give this call:
Stuart Blazer: Poet. Published works include books of his poetry: Ricochet, C-O-H, Aix-en-Providence, Aqua Firma, Rhizome Skyline; as well as his work as a translator of the Portuguese Poet José Saramago’s The Poems Possible.
Brown University Fusion Dancers: Josh Cabello, Allie Coonin, Lily Edgerton, Ava Garfinkel & Vanessa Garcia.
John Crawford: Media Artist, Interactive Performance Director, Technology Developer and Interaction Designer; Professor of Dance & Media Arts Director University of California, Irvine
John Duke: Inventor, who holds patents in wave-powered submersible vehicles and tidal energy converters. He has studied the possible role of past cycles in the strength of tidal mixing upon the ocean’s control of earth’s global climate. Holds a master’s degree in Ocean System Management from MIT 1981 and has worked in the international iron ore shipping industry.
Forrest Larson: His work includes both strictly composed music and live improvised electronic music. Instrumental works include music for string orchestra, wind ensemble as well as pieces for unaccompanied violin, viola, and cello. He has had a life-long love of old pre-digital analog electronic instruments, and of collecting “found sounds” from both natural as well as urban landscapes.
Lisa Naugle: Choreographer & Professor, Dance Department, School of the Arts, University of California, Irvine.
H. Curtis Spalding: Professor of the Practice, Institute at Brown University for Environment & Society & Immediate past Regional Administrator of USEPA Region 1 – New England. Also served as Executive Director of Save The Bay from 1990 to 2008
University of California, Irvine Dancers: Summer Cantrel, Ebette Cruz, Sena Hernandez, Cara Laughlin, Alussa Rubio & Natalie Palmgren
Generously supported by a Grant from the Robert L. Turner Theatrical & Performance Design Project at RISD
December 10th 2018 6 p.m. RISD Old Library 236 Benefit Street Providence Rhode Island