DAY 5
How has nature been affected and what impact has it had on local communities?
Venuz White
Water Revelation:
Scotland
Venuz White finds inspiration in ancestral practices and technologies to visually present the "Voices of Water” manifested through colour pigments, water and voice vibrations. As a result of a digital artist-in-residence programme at ÚNA, the Colombian artist will unveil for the first time ever her "Water Revelations", a series of contemporary rituals bringing together five female voices from Brazil, Scotland, Chile, Mexico and Argentina.
This is the Water Revelation from Scotland, represented by the shamanic practitioner, healer and teacher Fotoula Adrimi.
The Devil’s Pulpit
By Spinal Chord
This work by Rodolfo Rivas Franco, Colombian born and settle in Scotland, recalls the life and tales of his grandmother, working as a traditional artisan wadding for gold with the women of her village Condoto, in Chocó, Colombia dressed in white and singing autochthonous songs. Scottish composers Megan and Katie provide an amazing contrast to the Colombian looking scenes in this story of Scottish myth and Colombian reality.
The torture and burial scene is a painful reminder of abuse of human rights in so many developing countries, including Colombia. Choosing a poetic representation, the scene here echoes rituals from the Pacific of Colombia but underlined with a Gaelic song of lament. The struggles of many developing countries are portrayed in the piece, showing Black Donald, a Scottish highland Devil who cannot disguise his cloven feet, as a politician who’s greed contaminates the water and harms the community.
Both Colombia and Scotland have several myths about water spirits that protect nature and human beings, here we have the Scottish Urisk embodying our hope for salvation. A half human half goat spirit said to protect pools and waterfalls and like the Colombian Mohan lives in rivers and forests. As in Rodolfo's vision many live in hope that something supernatural can oust the evil greed that continues to contaminate waters and destroy forests along with native communities.
Raúl Juárez
Born in Chiapas, Mexico, Raúl Juárez is an indigenous poet of Mayan descent. Raúl has contributed the poem El árbol llora cuando nace un hombre to TraDigital, which explores the repercussions of human impact on the natural world. The poem specifically explores how environmental devastation caused by the contamination of rivers and deforestation to a certain extent represents the poisoning of our own bodies, given that the natural world is an extension of ourselves. Raul posits that the poem acts as a means of heightening the consciousness of humans towards the environment as well as a mirror which reflects our actions.
Raul holds a degree in Communication Sciences and is a professor of teaching at the Institute of Postgraduate Studies. Raúl received the State Poetry award at a symposium organised by the Department of the Sustainable Development of Indigenous Communities.
Special thanks to the Mexican Embassy in London
Thulani Rachia
Thulani Rachia’s practice integrates the fields of architecture, performing and visual arts. Growing up in South Africa and training in architecture, his inquiries stem from the spatial politics of exclusion and division and the effects of these physical and conceptual barriers on the land. His practice-as-research methodology investigates his interests in site and history and how these coalesce in the formation of identity, culture and memory. He is inspired by the notion of intersectional landscapes and how these can be used to disrupt physical and mental fields and the narratives they hold.
Follow the link below to see Thulani’s project:
of sugar and Bones
AN-DRÀSTA!
To watch this film follow the link below.
Filmed and edited by students from the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway during their 2019 summer holidays, An-Dràsta! presents a local perspective on a global crisis, examining how the climate emergency is affecting the Outer Hebrides. It is a plea from our young people to protect our shared futures.
An-Dràsta! was produced as part of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn and Urras Oighreachd Chàrlabhaigh’s Community LED by Energy Champions project which is supported by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, with additional support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
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