WHISPERING FROM THE ROOTS

2015

Site-specific durational performance by Marta Lodola, duration 30 min. Materials three branches, collected feathers, three cortex, performer voice, public engagement.

Two trees stand in front of each other. The public is invited to close their eyes and touch the first tree with one hand. When they are all in circle, I touch their face with a feather and whisper them to imagine something they want to communicate to the tree, or to simply feel what arises. I walk away in the direction of the other tree.

I sit down under the second tree, putting the feathers collected before on my hairs, that cover my face. I can’t see the path on which I was walking before. I place some branches on my arms, shoulders and head, trying to keep them all balanced while walking to reach the first tree again. The road I can’t see is the one I try to remember from before. All I’ve collected on my body is an offer to the first tree. I shake my hair, branches and feathers falls down. I crouch at its roots.

ph Christina Georgiou and Ruth Biene